Plymouth · United Kingdom

Marathon races near Plymouth

2 races in 2026 next one in 66 days

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5K 10K Half MarathonMarathon

Race calendar

Upcoming Marathon races near Plymouth

SEP 2

Run · trail · Marathon

City to Sea 50K, Marathon & Half Marathon

Torquay · 46 km away

Run · road · Marathon

RUN Barnstaple Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K

BARNSTAPLE · 78 km away

Plymouth · 80 km

2 races mapped View on map →

Recurring Marathon races near Plymouth

Races that repeat — weekly, monthly or yearly

Eden Marathon and Half-Marathon

The Eden Marathon and Half-Marathon start and finish around the Eden Project in Cornwall, with hilly multi-terrain routes built around the site and the surrounding countryside. The event is run in partnership with St Austell Running Club and offers both a full marathon and a half marathon, so runners can choose between a longer off-road-heavy day or a shorter route with more public road running. The marathon is roughly 70% trails, paths, and private roads, while the half marathon is 60% on public roads and 40% on trails and paths. Water stations appear every three miles, isotonic drinks are available every seven miles, and chip timing is used, with online result analysis through RunPix. The route goes through countryside and areas tied to Cornwall’s mining heritage, and the full marathon can be muddy enough that trail shoes are recommended. The half marathon’s off-road sections are generally firm enough that specialist shoes are not needed. Finishers receive a themed medal, and runners also get a pasty and a beer, which gives the day a very Cornish finish. Runners, family, and supporters get free entry to Eden on race day, and participation supports wildflower habitat work at the Eden Project instead of automatically handing out race T-shirts. The marathon is also a World Championship qualifier, while club runners can enter in teams of four and category winners are eligible for prizes.

Cornish Marathon

The Cornish Marathon is Cornwall's only all-road marathon, a November race based at Millennium House in Pensilva and run entirely on tarmac. It began in 1984 as a wager between organizers John Foster and Stephen Henderson over who could run faster, with the first field having only 27 runners. The race now closes the Cornish Grand Prix Series and typically draws a mixed local field, unlike a flat, big-city marathon. The course starts with two laps around Pensilva, then proceeds through Draynes Valley and onto Bodmin Moor, passing Dozmary Pool and Jamaica Inn at Bolventor before returning along the Fowey Valley. The road offers little respite: the total climb is approximately 600 metres, with about a quarter of that occurring in the final five miles. The late climb to Foredown, between miles 24 and 25, is the section runners recall after finishing.

Lighthouse Marathon and Ultra

The Lighthouse Marathon and Ultra are challenging point-to-point trail races on the Cornish Coast Path, held in autumn conditions that can include mud, water, rain, rocks, sand, dunes, and short sections of road. The marathon covers 26.2 miles from Pendeen to Godrevy, featuring nearly 4,000 feet of elevation gain and an 8 1/2 hour time limit. The Ultra begins at Land’s End, extends for 35 miles, involves over 6,000 feet of climbing, and allows runners 10 1/2 hours to finish. The Ultra route connects three lighthouses: Longships, Pendeen, and Godrevy. The marathon follows the same rugged coastal path from Pendeen, with significant climbs and dunes distinguishing it from a typical trail marathon. Registration and parking are located at The Sunset Surf Cafe in Gwithian, which also serves as the hub for bus transport to start lines, bag storage, and post-race refreshments. The Ultra has a limit of 70 participants, and the race organizers frankly state: “You are mad for running this race.” If the time limit approaches, the final obstacle is reaching the lighthouse before nightfall.

Dart Deliverance 50K, Marathon & Half Marathon

The Dartmoor Marathon

The Dartmoor Marathon begins and ends in Tavistock, a market town bordering Dartmoor National Park in Devon. This is a road marathon, set on moorland roads with steep ascents, undulating stretches, expansive vistas, and sections alongside reservoirs within one of England’s most rugged national parks. The course crosses Dartmoor National Park, passing landmarks like Dartmoor Prison, Burrator Reservoir, Princetown, tors, historical hamlets, and isolated open moorland. It attracts participants seeking a challenging rural marathon over a course conducive to personal bests. The event includes a local element with Flapjackery flapjacks provided for runners.

View all recurring races near Plymouth →

Looking for something else near Plymouth?

5K running Plymouth → 13 10K running Plymouth → 17 Half Marathon running Plymouth → 10

Other races in the next 90 days

All sports & distances →

JUL 527 km away cycling

Mid Devon Cycling Club 25

JUL 1246 km away cycling

Cornish Alpine Cycle Challenge 2026

road19.3 km40.2 km80.5 km

AUG 245 km away swimming

Brixham Breakwater Race

AUG 1563 km away ocr

Inflatable 5K Exeter

Devon Dinger 200

road200 km222 km

SEP 1330 km away triathlon

Salcombe Brewery Co Sprint Triathlon

About Marathon races in Plymouth

Plymouth Training Notes

Plymouth hosts 7 Marathon races in 2026 within 80 km of the city centre — upcoming dates, recurring series, and other races nearby, all in one place.

Locals build base miles through Central Park, Saltram estate, West Park, and the Hoe when the wind behaves. Central Park keeps intervals simple, and Saltram gives a steady green loop when legs need Z2. Plymouth Musketeers Running Club brings the Thursday 19:00 crew, and Plymouth Harriers, Plymouth Coasters, Plymouth Striders, Plymstock Road Runners, and Tamar Trotters give you plenty of pace groups. Run Plymouth Half Marathon starts and finishes on Plymouth Hoe Promenade. Plymouth 10K starts on the Hoe and keeps the city centre sharp. Plymouth Harriers Summer 5 works as a fast anchor event.

Plym Valley Trail gives cyclists the easy spin, and the Plym Valley Urban Loop runs 24 miles from Cann Woods car park through forests, old railway lines, and inner-city cycle routes. Plymouth Cycling Club meets every Sunday morning, weather permitting, with the A Group riding 30-45 miles and the B Group riding up to 20-35 miles. Devon Dinger 200 sits as the anchor event. Dartmoor holds the real climbs, and Haytor Triple packs 1,200 metres into 58 kilometres. Dartmoor Way carries 2,700 metres over 95 miles, so locals save legs for grinding up the local climbs.

Spring, Summer, and Autumn give Plymouth the best rhythm for running and riding. Summer brings long coastal evenings, and Plymouth gets average annual sunshine totals over 1,600 hours when the Azores High pushes north-east towards the UK. Locals use those months for base miles, crit legs, gran fondo prep, and steady laps round Burrator Reservoir. Winter stays workable because Plymouth is one of the warmest UK cities in winter. Winter lows average around 1°C, and snow usually falls in small amounts. Dartmoor gravel and green lanes can turn very muddy after rain.