Training for Race 2 the Castle SUP Race

So I’ve done a thing!

Never one to let little things like speed and endurance stop me, I’ve decided to enter an ultra Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) race next April!

I’ll be taking on Race to the Castle (R2TC) and paddleboarding the River Trent.

It’s 40km through lush, rolling countryside, starting at the Suspension Bridge, going along the winding River Trent and finishing at the iconic Newark Castle. Featuring 5 locks to portage around.

As I have done with other challenges I’ve taken on – such as swimming a mile in open water, entering the UK Cold Water Swimming Championships 2025, entering the French GlaGla SUP Race and paddleboarding solo in Finland for a week – I will be detailing my training in blog posts. Because if I can do this, anyone can! Follow my progress!

Race to the Castle 2026

Race to the Castle promises to be a “bucket-list paddle board event”. The longest one-way downriver race in the UK, it comprises 40km (25 miles) of downriver paddling... so pretty much a marathon SUP in one day!

It is an event that celebrates the strength, strategy and courage a paddler makes when they commit to an ultra-distance challenge. That’s exactly why I wanted to sign up for it – well, that and I was gently encouraged by friends! I also love that 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. My friends Claire and Ian are doing it and hopefully a few others I know.

Paddlers have the option to take part in the R2TC either as part of the race, team or adventure fleet. Same route, same date. If you want to have the most available time enter the adventure category and if you want to test your skills, stamina and strategy enter the applicable race category for your board length.

The race welcomes paddlers from all over the world; USA, Germany, France, Vienna, Netherlands, Belgium and from all over the UK. Every finisher 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.

Training for an Ultra SUP Race

I definitely won’t be racing for the front (I’ve entered the Adventure category) but there is a cut-off time so I need to train. This will be my longest paddle yet, but I do love a challenge.  

I wasn’t able to start training yet as, after a long haul flight and some enthusiastic kayak capsize rescue training, I developed a vestibular imbalance which gave me vertigo symptoms for a little while. After seeing a chiropractor to sort this issue out, I was cleared to paddle. So my first SUP in a while was joining the East of England Paddlesports group in early November for a 5-mile paddle to see the Strood Road/causeway being flooded at Mersea Island in Essex. A huge 5.73m tide flooded the road and, as usual, cars tried to get across. In a huge amount of spray!

Unfortunately I felt a bit dizzy as the sea was quite choppy so I knelt most of the way. But I did stand for a bit and it was great to catch up with Claire, who will be paddling the race with me. It is always fun to paddleboard down a road too! 

Future training plans include going through the winter, in all conditions and improving my stamina. I’m off to the Lake District soon and hoping to get some paddles in there.

Anyone else entered? Got any tips? See you at the castle!

Follow Natasha’s adventures and progress at www.instagram.com/natashastarseeker