THE EDEN MARATHON 2023 AND HALF MARATHON TAKES PLACE ON SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 2023 IN THE SPECTACULAR COUNTRYSIDE AROUND THE MASSIVE ATTRACTION. GO ALONG AND CHEER ON THE RUNNERS!
When you think of the Eden Project, you think of runner beans before you think of actual runners. But those massive biomes near St Austell serve as the start and end points for a mega annual race on Sunday 15 October 2023. The Eden Marathon 2023 and Eden Half Marathon 2023 events are as beautiful as they are gruelling.
Billed as ‘Cornwall’s biggest running event’, the races take place over a multi-terrain route through some of the most idyllic countryside for miles around. The full marathon, which starts at 9.30am on the day, and the half-marathon, which starts at 10am, have become firm fixtures in the Duchy’s running calendar due to the beautiful rural landscapes, the perfect terrain and the fascinating mining heritage areas that the runners travel across and the fact that it all begins and ends, quite literally, at Eden.
There are two courses through Cornwall’s dramatic clay country for the two different races, which are both heavily supported by the St Austell Running Club. The full marathon heads off towards Bodmin at one point before snaking its way back to Eden. It’s a hilly, multi-terrain route, that takes place mostly on paths, trails and private roads, with only about 30 percent of the race on public roads.
Runners get a pasty and a beer each. Yes, you heard that right. Only in Cornwall can you combine a tough marathon with some local ale and an oggy. Plus, all race finishers get a themed medal and there are also cash prizes up for grabs for race and category winners. And, once you’ve run, you get free entry into those biomes with your accompanying family members and supporters later in the day.
There’s chip timings, online race analysis and, of course, water stations at every three miles, with isotonic drinks also up for grabs every seven miles. And finally, a tree is planted on the site for every runner who is registered. Eden does seem to think of everything. Runners must be 18 or above to compete in the marathon and 17 or above to take part in the half-marathon.
Spectators: prepare to watch those runners dash across the Cornish countryside in search of that finishing line and that free pasty. Go along on the day and cheer on the participants as you tuck into your own pasty. Go, Eden!