SEE YOU AT THE CASTLE
✦
#R2TC
✦
SAT 25TH APRIL 2026
✦
SEE YOU AT THE CASTLE ✦ #R2TC ✦ SAT 25TH APRIL 2026 ✦

saturday
25th april 2026
The longest One-way downriver race in the UK
40km of downriver paddling through the lush, rolling countryside of The Trent Valley
Race To The Castle #R2TC is the Bucket-List paddle board event.
An event that celebrates the strength, strategy and courage a paddler makes when they commit to an ultra distance challenge. R2TC is a fun, friendly, safe and inclusive race open to all paddlers. You can enter by yourself, with family, friends or your SUP Club.
Paddlers have the option to take part in the R2TC either as part of the race, team or adventure fleet. Same route, same date. If you want to have the most available time enter the adventure category and if you want to test your skills, stamina and strategy enter the applicable race category for your board length.
You’ll be joining like minded folks who want to adventure and endurance paddle. To test themselves, to battle the elements, who all want to race to the castle and then share and trade stories with you.
These people will become your new friends. We welcomed paddlers from all over the world; USA, Germany, France, Vienna, Netherlands, Belgium and from all over the UK.
Every finisher is awarded their R2TC Medal to wear with pride and the Top 3 fastest times in Male and Female across all categories will be crowned Kings and Queens of the river.
We’re hoping you’ll join us every year. Same weekend, but each year the conditions may vary.
“Will it be a sunny year? Will the wind be behind us? What will the flow rate be?
Head wind like the inaugural event in 2024? (surely not)”

Headline stats
THE START LINE. UNDER THE ICONIC SUSPENSION BRIDGE
Date: Saturday 25th April 2026
Location: River Trent
Distance: 40km
Type: One Way. Downriver, Fully Navigable Waters
Start: Suspension Bridge, River Trent
End: Newark Castle, River Trent
Portages: 5
Categories: Race & Adventure & Team
Boards: ISUP Only
Logistics: Coach and Lorry to get you and your gear from Newark to Welbeck on Event Morning. Your after race gear is transported from Welbeck to the finish line.
After Party: Event Village and After Park both at Newark Castle finish line for 2026.
Sunday: Hangover Day, Demo, Yoga on the “The Royal Finish” on The River Trent, Newark Castle
THE START LINE. UNDER THE ICONIC SUSPENSION BRIDGE
FINISHER MEDAL IN FRONT OF THE CASTLE
CHECK POINTS AND PORTAGES
GUNTHORPE CHECK POINT, THE MANDATORY BREAK & CATCH UP
THE TRENT VALLEY
OPEN DRAFTING “IF YOU CAN CATCH IT, YOU CAN HAVE IT”
See You At The Castle
✦
See You At The Castle ✦