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 R2TC either as part of the race, team or adventure fleet. Same route, same date. If you want to have the most time to complete the course 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 welcome paddlers from all over the world.

Every Castler 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.

NEW for 2027 we will be awarding age categories across the fleet and a new Castle Sprint 5km Time Trial.

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?”