The Perfect Place to Train for a Marathon in Cornwall
(And How to Make It Even Better)
If you've got a marathon on the horizon — or someone you love does — the Camel Trail in Cornwall might just be the best kept training secret in the South West.
Here's why, and how to make the most of every mile.
Why the Camel Trail is Ideal for Marathon Training
Finding a long, flat, traffic-free route in Cornwall isn't always easy. The county is spectacularly beautiful, but it's also spectacularly hilly. The Camel Trail is the rare exception.
Stretching 18 miles through stunning Cornish countryside alongside the River Camel, the trail offers runners something genuinely hard to find: uninterrupted, off-road miles with virtually no elevation to worry about.
Here's how the distances break down:
Wadebridge to Padstow and back — 10 miles, completely flat and traffic-free. Ideal for tempo runs, long steady efforts, or getting comfortable with double-figure mileage.
Wadebridge towards Bodmin and back — another 10 miles in the opposite direction, slight incline on the way out, nice on the way back - and peaceful.
The full trail — up to 20 miles (more than you need to do!) if you're deep into training and need those big weekend miles on forgiving ground.
Whether you're building a base, hitting a long run, or tapering before race day, the Camel Trail has a distance to match.
The Secret Weapon: A Cycling Support Crew
Here's where it gets really good.
One of the best things you can do for a runner in training — especially on those long, tough efforts — is have a support team alongside them. Someone with water, gels, snacks, and a familiar face when the miles start to hurt.
Hire a bike from us at Bridge Bike Hire and you can be exactly that person.
All of our adult bikes come fitted with panniers, so you'll have everything your runner needs right there with you — drinks, snacks, a spare layer, whatever they might need out on the trail. You pedal at your own pace, they run at theirs, and you meet at the points that matter or pootle along beside them and help to distract from the miles ahead.
It's one of those simple ideas that makes a real difference on a long training run.
And if you're bringing the kids along? We've got them covered too — children's bikes, child trailers, and child seats mean the whole family can come and be part of the adventure.
You Won't Be Alone Out There
Every single day on the Camel Trail, people are putting in the work. Runners of all abilities, training for all kinds of events — marathons, half marathons, charity runs, personal challenges. They're not all grinning from ear to ear, but they're out there, clocking the miles and doing the thing.
There's a quiet, brilliant energy to the trail on a training day. Come and be part of it.
Plan Your Visit
Bridge Bike Hire is the original bike hire company on the Camel Trail, based in Wadebridge. We're open year-round and have bikes for everyone — from standard and electric bikes to accessibility options including wheelchair bikes, tandems, and trailers.
Current offer: 20% off bike hire until 1st April — use code WINTER when booking.
📞 01208 813050 📧 info@bridgebikehire.co.uk 🌐 www.bridgebikehire.co.uk
We'd love to see you — runner, supporter, or both. Come and join us on the trail 🚴♀️🏃♂️
Bridge Bike Hire — the first and original bike hire on the Camel Trail, Wadebridge, Cornwall.
