The Cornish Marathon is Cornwall's only all road marathon. 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 !
