The Grand Union Canal Race (GUCR) is an ultramarathon run from the centre of Birmingham to the centre of London along the Grand Union Canal. Competitors are required to complete the 145-mile (233 km) distance within a time limit of 45 hours. Resting for more than 40 minutes at a time is not permitted. The maximum number of competitors is 80 and is very quickly reached.
Race record is held by Pat Robbins who completed the course in 25h 37min in May 2011 and won the event for the fourth consecutive time.
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—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
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—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)