The Canal Runner
Exploring the UK's canals, one run at a time. I started this multi year project in June 2020. My aim is to run along all 2000 miles of the UK Canal and River Trust canal system. I have so far completed almost 700 miles. The site has a map of my progress, photographs taken on the journey and various interesting things I have come across.
Telegraph Bridge (Bridge 39) / Shropshire Union Canal
PROJECT STORY
Bridge 9 on the Shropshire Union Canal, Near Cannock
I started running in the pandemic to raise money for my wife's intensive care unit with a target of running 500 miles. It took three years to complete the 500 miles. In the end I decided to try to complete the whole canal system! I have also developed an interest in photographing the canals as I have been going along.
I have run everything from the picturesque lily covered Montgomery Canal to the parts of the canal network that wind through industrial Birmingham and often get overlooked. Every stretch feels different.
Progress So Far
The UK canal system is a vast industrial artifact that I am gradually exploring one mile a time. This interactive map documents my progress across the waterways, plotting the routes I've taken from Edinburgh down to Somerset. You can see the date start point and end point of each run.
TOTAL DISTANCE: 679.54 Miles
CANALS COMPLETED: 9 - Shropshire Union Canal, Llagollen Canal, Caulden canal, Cannock Extension Canal, Macclesfield Canal, Peak Forrest Canal, Rushall Canal, Shropshire Union Canal Middlewich Branch, Leeds Liverpool Canal Rufford Branch
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Pictures From The Towpath
Canal Grafitti
I am not generally a fan of graffiti. However it has its place brightening up some of the plain and ordinary spots on the canals. In fact there is some excellent art of all sorts to be seen on the canals.
GRAND UNION CANAL central birmingham
ROCHDALE CANAL FAILSWORTH
Birmingham and fazaley Canal in central birmingham
OLD MAIN LINE CANAL WOLVERHAMPTON