Glasgow to Edinburgh Canal Challenge 2015

Kidney Cancer Scotland are delighted to be the beneficiary of the Glasgow to Edinburgh Canal Challenge 2015 which will take place on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October. Following the huge success of the 2014 event, early booking of you place is recommended.
 
If you would like to make a donation to this event you can text GECC25 £(amount) to 70070 or go to the Justgiving page HERE . If you prefer to use a hard copy sponsor form click on this link .

Event Information

Course

The start on Saturday 10th October 2015 is at Speirs Warf, Port Dundas, Glasgow. The finish is at the Millennium Wheel, Falkirk.  The distance is approximately 23.5 miles. Portages are required around the locks between Banknock and Bonnybridge in the last 5 miles of this stage.
The start on Sunday 11th October  is above the Millennium Wheel and the locks of the new Falkirk Interchange on the Union Canal. The finish is just before Lochrin Basin, Edinburgh.  The distance is approximately 31 miles and as this is a contour canal there are no locks to portage.
All competitors are required to navigate the entire length of the canals.  There will be mobile checkpoints in place to ensure that this is done. Competitors may portage in places other than around locks or natural blockages but at all times must follow the route of the canal and in no way shorten the course.

Classes

Entries will be accepted in the following classes:

Age

Paddlers for Classes A and B must be over 16 years of age on 1 January 2015. There is no minimum age for paddlers in other classes, but care should be taken to ensure that paddlers are not over stretched, particularly in adverse weather conditions.
Team leaders are responsible for ensuring that a Parental consent form and emergency contact details are held for all team members under the age of 16 years who are not accompanied by a parent/carer.

Entries

The closing date for entries is Monday 28th September 2015. Entries sent initially by e-mail to mhckayaking@aol.com should be confirmed in writing and accompanied by the entry fee by Monday 6th October.  Advance entries are essential to ensure the t-shirts can be available at the prize giving.
Entries, including fee of £15 per paddler (Cheques payable to Kirkcaldy Canoe Club) should be sent to:
M Chapman, Lochtyknowe, 193 Binniehill Road, Balloch, Cumbernauld  G68 9JH  (tel 01236 457081)

Support Crews

All paddlers must have a support crew and transport. Relay Classes C,D,E,F and G may use their competing members as their support crew.
A competitor may receive assistance (eg. refreshments, repairs, clothing) from bank support crews, as long as it does not impede other competitors, but may not be progressed in any way.
Competitors  who require assistance to lift/carry their boat should contact the organiser prior to the event to arrange this.

Starts

Saturday 10th October
Check in : from 8:00am  at Spiers Warf, Port Dundas, Glasgow.
Start Window : 9:00am to 12:00noon
Finish Window : 2:30pm to 5:00pm
Paddlers should select their own start time to ensure they arrive in Falkirk while the finish window is open.  Those who anticipate taking  7 – 8 hours should start between 9am and 10am, while those who think they will take only 3 – 4 hours should be starting close to noon.
Sunday 11th October
8:30 to 11:30am – Starts staggered with the slowest paddlers starting first. Start times will be advised at the finish on Saturday.
Start at the Falkirk Interchange, Union Canal.