Canoe Marathon - Leighton Buzzard Winter Series marathon 2025

Entries for this event have now closed. Entries closed 9 months, 1 week ago

Race Date: 25 Jan 2026
Race Type: Winter Series

Organising Club: Flatwater Racing Association
Organiser: Beth Goodlad & Elaine Alldis

LU7 2AE, Leighton Buzzard, Central Bedfordshire

View Results

Leighton Buzzard Winter Series marathon

Date: 25 January 2026

(Reserve date in case of postponement: 1 February 2026)

Location & Parking:
Leighton Buzzard CC, Cedars School, Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre, Mentmore Road, Leighton Buzzard LU7 2AE.

Free car parking is available at the rear of Cedars School or in the Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre car park. Marshals will be present.

Schedule:
9:30 - 10:30 Check-in
10:45 - Race Briefing
11:15 - Start
14:00 - Prize-giving (including prizegiving for the series)

Please note that class eligibility for this series is determined by age on 1st November 2025.
"u" (under) means literally that - if you are 16 on 1/11/25 you are too old for u16 races.

Classes with low entries will be grouped - this will not affect points or medals.

The start order of classes will not necessarily follow class number order - the list of pre-entries and the expected start order will be made available on the day using a QR code.

Distances at this race:
Classes 1-10 - 8 miles - 2 portages
Classes 20-25 - 6 miles - 2 portages
Classes 30-40 - 2.5 miles - 0 portages

For Course maps see attached PDF.

Entering:

If you are part of a club team, your Team Leader may intend to place your entry and/or pay in bulk - please check with them.
Payments for entries by individuals or clubs are made by as cash on the day (alternatively, as cheque made out to Flatwater Racing Association). Clubs may arrange to pay electronically in advance by special arrangement with the FRA Treasurer Treasurer@FlatwaterRacing.org.uk (such payments must be completed by midnight Friday)

Note: All paddlers must be current members of Paddle UK (personal or Club Associate), *or* must additionally purchase PUK "Single Event Membership" (SEM) for £5. This can be done during the online entry process. If you are a member of a Paddle UK affiliated club, please speak to your team leader before puchasing SEM as you may already have Club Associate Membership. All boats must be licensed for use on CRT water (included in PUK membership/SEM).
Please send any queries about entries to Secretary@FlatwaterRacing.org.uk

For queries on other matters, please contact Race Organiser

The Winter Series welcomes Paddle-Ability competitors (those with disability/impairment or long-term disabling illness, whether physical, sensory, or intellectual). The online entry system does not collect this information - to be eligible for a "first Paddle-Ability" medal in each class, or to be allowed to "paddle down" to a more suitable age class, the team leader should contact Secretary@FlatwaterRacing.org.uk in advance of the first race of the series that the paddler will attend.

Seat Fees:

Juniors (u18 on previous 1st January) £5

Seniors £10

There are no late fees or penalties for cancellation

Number Boards:

Pre-printed number boards will be issued for K1/K2 classes (£5 fee for if not returned - under some circumstances a deposit may be required), and sticky number for C1/C2s and GPs. Please ask if you prefer a board for a C1/C2 or a sticky number for a K1/K2 with no board holder.

Photos:

The host club and the FRA will use photographs taken at the event to promote the club and the sport on the grounds of legitimate interest. This will be done in accordance with current Paddle UK guidelines.

Welfare:

Event Welfare Officer: Fiona Barber

Safety:

Event Safety Officer: Steve Oxtoby

All participants must be capable of swimming 50m in racing clothing.
Footwear should be worn by all participants, and clothing appropriate for the weather conditions on the day.
Buoyancy aids must be worn by all paddlers not ranked in divisions 1-6 and all paddlers under age 16 irrespective of divisional ranking and all paddlers taking part in an u16 class.
Canoeing and kayaking is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk.

Risk Assessment and Safety Plan will be attached when available.

Environmental Issues:
Please ensure you follow Check-Clean-Dry protocol to prevent the cross-contamination of waterways with invasive species.

Refeshments:

There will be BBQ, cakes and hot and cold drinks available to buy, as well as the usual paddlers' food.

Rules & Series information

See http://www.FlatwaterRacing.org.uk/winter-series.html

In particular please acquaint yourselves with the full Winter Series rules (attached), especially those for portages:

Assistance at portages may be received ONLY by those who need it and must not be for competitive advantage.
Helpers must walk only, and where possible should carry the rear end of the craft.
If un-assisted paddlers overtake, assisted craft must give way.
Validated protests will result in time penalties or disqualification.

Privacy:

Race entries will be handled centrally by the FRA. Information will be shared with the Marathon Racing Committee (MRC) & Race Organisers.

Race Results:

Provisional results will be published via a QR code as they accumulate and as a print-out when complete. A further 15 min will be allowed for protests/queries before prizegiving. Results will appear on the FRA website, and this will be updated with promotions once these have been calculated by the MRC.

The organisers reserve the right to alter any of these arrangements without prior notice should the weather, river or other circumstances warrant it.

Race Terms & Conditions

Entry Details

Races

Winter Series Races