east cornwall harriers
Cornish Marathon
- 2nd November, 2025
The Cornish Marathon is Cornwall’s only all-road marathon.
2025 entries open on the 9th of May and close on the 26th of October (if not sold out before).
history
It began in 1984 and originally started out from Saltash following the A38 and A390 to Lostwithiel. It started out as a wager between two organisers John Foster and Stephen Henderson that one could run faster than the other. Despite being run for charity, only 27 runners took the plunge, the winner managing 2.29 minutes and 15 secs, something to make all race winners this millenium envious. 78 runners turned out the next year and in 1987 it was handed over to East Cornwall Harriers.
Relocating to Rilla Mill in 1994, taking in much of the present route, it presented competitors with 3 miles of steady climbing from the gun. Finally changing to Pensilva, it starts from Millenium
House, a much gentler introduction to the scenic circular out and back route which takes runners along the Draynes Valley, through the ‘Poldark’ country of Bodmin Moor, past King Arthur’s legendary Dozmary Pool, Du Maurier’s Jamaica Inn at Bolventor and back along the Fowey Valley, taking in a climb to Foredown between miles 24 and 25, which most runners will remember for a long time, and not just for the fabulous views !
2025 info
The 2025 date is Sunday the 2nd of November.
Entries for this event will open on the 9th of May and close on the 26th of October (if not sold out before).
Here is the general info about our event.
- Registration opens on the day at 8:00am.
- The race starts at 10:00am with the race briefing at 9:50am.
- In 2025 we will be implementing a cut-off for the race. The cut-off will be 6.5 hours and we will be setting cut-off points around the course with required times to be met.
- See below for the route and course elevation.
If you have a question relating to the Cornish Marathon you can contact the race director via email here.
Cornish marathon sponsorship
As the Cornish Marathon has grown in popularity, we are now giving businesses the chance to sponsor this iconic Cornish race, which also supports local charities and community groups.
Details of the 2025 sponsorship packages and benefits include branding opportunities at the event, direct marketing to 475 runners via the finishers’ goody bags, plus promotion via our website and social media channels, will be available when we open the entries in May 2025.
If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, or for more information, please email us here.
Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors
Parkes and Pearn provide an unparalleled customer service whilst understanding that every home and clients’ circumstances are individual. Their team provide a custom marketing package for your home whilst taking a long-term view, earning respect within the local communities. Visit their website
Tamar Fresh offer a refreshingly simple wholesale food service, taking the best of locally produced food, adding a sprinkle of great customer service and serving it to their clients at an excellent price. A family business with 30 years’ experience of supplying hotels, restaurants, schools, and gastro pubs, they’re proud of the goods they supply, the service they offer and the local jobs they support. Visit their website
Catch Fish & Chips in Looe pride themselves on sustainability and looking after the future, whilst producing the very best traditional fish & chips. Working with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) they supply fish that has been sourced through businesses with MSC chain of custody certification, ensuring the fish they serve has been sourced from sustainable stocks using sustainable fishing practices, looking after the future of seafood and the future of marine wildlife. Visit their website
Martin Perry Associates are a Structural Engineering and Surveying Consultancy based in Cornwall, with many years of experience in all aspects of construction and ability to offer a multitude of services, from Structural Design to Party Wall Surveying and Contract Administration. Visit their website
KV Accounting Solutions Ltd are a family firm based in Pensilva, priding themselves on full dedication to their clients and fixed-fee accountancy. With a like-minded support team, KV Accounting Solutions ensures that clients receive a professional service with attention to detail at all times. Visit their website
Westcountry Bakery are traditional bakers of quality baked goods made from local ingredients. As well as offering delicious Cornish pasties, which are being supplied for the Cornish Marathon this year, they also produce a range of fresh breads made using leavens and sourdoughs. Visit their website
Kernow Architectural Services are an experienced team of professionals providing a broad range of services throughout Cornwall. With many years of experience in all areas of construction they are able to provide you with advice, design and specification services and can guide you through the entire process for your project, from initial concepts to the construction phase. Visit their website
Print 2 Media produces beautiful, large format signs and displays that help businesses large and small portray themselves at their best. They manufacture in-house from their factory in Cornwall and ship all across the UK and the rest of the world. Visit their website
Liskeard-based business producing award-winning homemade puddings, cakes and treats, as well as celebration cakes made to order. We’re delighted to be offering cakes from The Cornish Pudding Co. at our fundraising cake sale at the Millennium Centre on race day. Visit their website
Purely Cornish is a local family business, supporting other local businesses by selling Cornish produce. With more than 75 local suppliers, they are also the Cornish Hamper people, crafting beautiful bespoke Cornish hampers for all occasions, including those we present to our Cornish Marathon category winners. Visit their website
Front line agencies refer people in crisis to the foodbank, which supports them by supplying a minimum of three days of food. It also helps with toiletries and pet food when possible and tries to signpost people to other agencies for help with their crisis. Visit their website
Route MAP
ROUTE DETAILS
Here are a few route stats.
- Starts and finishes at the Millenium Centre Pensilva.
- The Plot a Route website has a good profile and stats on the route. This was mapped by a runner in 2019 so is not an official mapping.
- Plot a Route also has file formats you can download including a GPX file.
- The elevation is approx 2200ft.
- Water stations are at 3, 6, 9, 13, 17, 21 and 24 miles. Special drinks are available at mile 13 and 21.
- The course measurement was renewed in 2023 and details can be found here – Course Measurement 23/349.