Brown Willy Run 202 4, The Jamaica Inn, Bolventor, PL15 7TS, 1 Jan, 11am

A well signed informal run, not a race, of about 7 miles. Mostly on open moorland, which may be wet, slippery, boggy or frozen, and it’s steep in places. Even when it doesn’t feel too cold at Jamaica Inn, it may be freezing and blowing a gale on the top of Brown Willy. Billed as the best hangover cure!

New Year’s Day Dip, Jubilee Pool, Penzance, 1 Jan, 10am

See in the New Year / ward off the hangover with a dip at Penzance’s salt-water cold water pool.

Polzeath Marathon, 13 Jan

Starts on the beach at Polzeath and includes not just a marathon, but a 10K race, a half-marathon and an ultra-marathon too.

Stormforce 10, 21 Jan

A 10 mile road race starting and finishing in Camborne on undulating mainly quiet country roads. It is the first race in the Cornwall GP/MTRS series.

The Arc of Attrition, 26 Jan (entries closed, join waitlist or bookmark for 2025)

Cornwall’s toughest footrace – an extreme winter 100-miler in challenging winter conditions. The Arc is a point-to-point race from Coverack to Porthtowan taking in 100miles of stunning and dramatic Cornish Coastpath, and will complete an Arc around the entire southwest foot of Cornwall. The race has a strict 35 hour cut-off with additional checkpoint cut-offs on the route. With checkpoints approximately 20 miles apart, competitors will need the ability to be self-sufficient for long periods of time.

Newquay 10km, 4 Feb

The second grand-prix event of 2024 is a 10K road race – undulating with one proper Cornish hill to climb, but generally quite a fast course.

Cardinham Half Marathon, 24 Feb

Back for 2024, this challenging, timed, out & back loop through the woodland near Bodmin has no cut off time so perfect for first timers. Medal for all finishers. Awards for top finishers. Canicross entries welcome.

Looe 10-miler, 25 Feb

Cornwall Air Ambulance fundraiser taking in an undulating course through West Looe includinging the coastal road to Talland and incorporates three climbs and a steep descent to the finish at Millpool Centre on the seafront. The race starts and finishes in the Millpool Car Park next to race HQ with numerous water stations dotted around the route on miles 3, 6 and 9. No registration fee to enter the Looe 10 Miler, min £60 to raise in sponsorship instead.

Falmouth Half Marathon, 17 Mar

The race is arranged and managed by Cornwall Hospice Care in collaboration with the Falmouth Road Runners.

Saints and Smugglers Challenge 9 March, 27 April, 8 June, 7 Sept

Four unique self-navigation stages on four different dates culminating in the legendary 100mile Saints & Smugglers Challenge. All four events are supported, self-navigation exercises with manned checkpoints with fluid and sustenance along the route. All runners will receive a Saints & Smugglers stage medal, those completing the entire challenge will receive a unique 100 Mile challenge medal!

The KVK, 13 April

The ‘KVK’ Trail running race is a unique challenge; a Kilometre of Vert in Kernow! Two laps of a specifically designed route to reach the magic number of 1000m of ascent. 15-miles total distance of inland hills and coastal running with big climbs, and big downhills.

Bodmin Beast Marathon, 28 April

See the sights of Bodmin on this multi terrain marathon, including Bodmin Beacon near the half way point. The route also takes you through the Parishes of Lanhydrock, Lanivet, Nanstallon and Cardinham where church volunteers will offer food and drink.

Cornish Tri Series, dates TBC

The Bat was new in 2022, with a stadium finish at Cornwall’s only 8-lane track. Junior, Sprint & Super Sprint Triathlon. In 2023 it marked the start of the Cornish Tri series in April – look out for 2024 dates TBC.

St Ives Brewery Sportive, 24 April

The St Ives Brewery Sportive is a fantastic adventure cycle through the West Coast of Kernow. Ttwo distances of 59km (38 miles) – full pint – and 77 km (49 miles)- half pint – this sportive is for everyone!

Swim-SUP-Run, 28 April

Suitable for all skill levels – novice or season triathlete – the Swim-SUP-Run race will sure challenge you in all the right places. The standard bike leg is replaced with the SUP so grab your board, bring your energy and race to victory, and raise money for Cornwall Ambulance Trust at the same time.

Taking place at Siblyback Lake, Liskeard, the triathlon will start with a 750m lake swim. Once completed and after a quick transition, you’ll pick up your SUP and jump aboard for a 1.5km paddle before returning to the transition area. Here you’ll leave your SUP and get your trainers on for the final leg, a 5km loop around the lake.

The race is open to both individual and relay entries so if you don’t fancy doing all three disciplines, grab a mate or two and do one each! All entrants must be 16+ years old.

The Coast to Coast Copper Trail – 12 miles, 18 May

This way marked trail follows two historic transport routes across Cornwall first opened in 1812, helping the mines transport copper to the ports of Portreath and Devoran.

RNLI Lands End Sportive 2024, 12 May

Three different cycling routes to raise money for the RNLI. Choose from:

The RNLI200 – a 200km challenge to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI saving lives at sea. (Please note this route is two laps of the Lifeboat Sportive route).

The Lifeboat Sportive – 100km road based route through the rugged and beautiful West Cornish coast.

The Penlee Pedal – a scenic 41km loop from Land’s End to Mousehole, Penlee lifeboat station and Penzance.

TSUNAMI 24, 15 June

The most rugged, wild and remote section of the North Devon and Cornish coastline is set for some extreme fun along the clifftops and cliff trails on the longest day of the year. Choose from TSUNAMI 24 (75 miles) or an Ultra (37.5 miles), Marathon, 16 mile or 7.5 mile race.

Coast and Clay Sportive 2024, dates TBC

Starting and finishing in Padstow this is an organised cycle by Cornwall Hospice Care which in 2023 had four route options – EXTREME – 104 MILES, EPIC – 71 MILES, CHALLENGE – 44 MILES and INSPIRE – 17 MILES.

Shoreline Triathlon, Bude, 24 June

Open Water Sprint Triathlon along the coastline of beautiful North Cornwall. 500m sea swim, protected by the Bude breakwater, 11 mile cycle along coastal roads and 3 mile run along canal towpaths and country lanes.

Padstow to Rock Swim, 2 August

Charity timed and supported swim from Padstow to Rock. Ballot closed for open entries (bookmark to enter in autumn 2024 for next year) but elite swimmers still have time to enter.

The Saints Way Ricochet, 57 miles, 7 Sept

Follow this ancient pathway from coast to coast in this 57 Mile Ultramarathon, straight across Cornwall. The ancient waymarked trail has been associated with early saints and missionaries and early Celtic traders seeking to trade with the Egyptians and Greeks or flee the yellow plague in Wales in the sixth century. Supported, self-navigation exercise with three manned checkpoints with fluid and sustenance along the route.

Land’s End 100 Sportive, 14 Sept

The Land’s End 100 Sportive has been successfully running from Folly Field, right beside the iconic St Michael’s Mount at Marazion, Penzance since 2010. There is a choice of three cycle routes: the Long route (104 miles), the Medium Route (72 miles) or the Short route (46 miles), each taking in some of the most picturesque landscapes across the Cornish Peninsula.

Man Up & Down 2024 20km, 21 Sept

A 20k coast path trail run supporting Man Down Cornwall, who offer a safe space to meet the current emotional and mental health needs of men who are struggling to cope with the everyday pressures facing them in our modern society. Setting off from Portreath, navigating the iconic, rugged, North Cornwall coastline and ending at the Watering Hole in Perranporth. There will be checkpoints at Porthtowan and St.Agnes, there are no cut off times, every runner will receive a medal, awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place male & female.

Eden Marathon and Half Marathon, The Eden Project, TBC

Cornwall’s biggest running event, entries and more details in Spring 2024

Individual challenges to try:

JanuRun

Organised by Great Ormond Street Hospital, JanuRun is a sponsored new year challenge to run (or walk or wheel) as far a you can in January. The idea is to run 31 miles in the month, wherever and whenever you want, whether you run a mile a day or run a few times a week it’s the perfect goal to get your fitness on track for 2024.

parkrun 5k

Free weekly signed events across Cornwall: Penrose National Trust Estate, Lanhydrock House, Tamar Lakes, Mount Edgcumbe, Trelissick, Heartlands , Eden Project, St Austell, Penryn and Lands End. Register once to get a barcode and then just turn up and run.

The Cornish Skyline

A 17 mile Fell / Moor land route taking in the highest points of Bodmin Moor, the highest overall area of Cornwall. An individual challenge for you to have a go at, a great day out on the moor or a speed challenge for those wishing to put up fast times on the route and see who is fastest!

PLUS! Annual events to look out for (dates TBC)

The Cornish IMERYS Trail Marathon (May)

Participants traverse Cornwall’s China Clay landscape during this multi-terrain event that uses private trails, sand roads, & footpaths linked by short road sections. It gives breathtaking views of Cornwall’s countryside.

Santa Cycle, Wadebridge to Padstow, Dec

A fun family day out cycling the Camel Trail from Wadebridge to Padstow dressed as santa.

Commit to fit! Local Cornish runs, swims, cycles, SUPS and sporting challenges for 2024

You may also like