Welcome and Hello
Ahoy and welcome to the all new Smugglers
Pirate and Corsairs
A pirate themed half marathon and marathon, which starts and finishes at the iconic Lands End hotel. The half runs from there out along the South West coast path to Cape Cornwall. You will get to meet Pirate Keith and then make your return to Lands End, with your carefully guarded treasures.
The full runs in the opposite direction to Mousehole, where you will collect your royal warrant and a payment before returning to Lands End.
The race starts at Peal Point, Lands End at 8.00 am for the marathon and 11am for the half. .
The half will have four aid stations on route, 2 on the way out and the same 2 on the way back
Sennen Cove car park, Cot Valley parking area
The full has aid stations at Porthcurno and Lamorna which you will visit twice plus a turn around aid station at Mousehole
The route will be marked with sawdust on the seaward side
There is also the coast path acorn signs, of which there are now a lot more.
Half marathon, Keep the sea to the left on the way out and to the right on the way back.
Marathon runners, sea on your right outwards and on your left as you return.
Marshals will be a key points on the route to keep you safe and steer you in the right direction.
This race is fun and challenging. Some sections are beautiful to run whilst other areas are just horrible. We have run this race several times and we always thoroughly looked forward to running it.
Thank you to all the businesses that support us and all the volunteers. These events would never happen without you
See you all at the Lands End Hotel on Sunday 22nd June 2025
Event Schedule
Event HQ is in the Atlantic Function Room in the Lands End Hotel, TR19 7AA
There is no parking in the area around the hotel, you have to use the large main car park in the front of the complex. You are responsible for your own parking and the fees incurred. It is worth checking on the lands end website as there is a locals pass which offers free parking.
Registration and ID check is 6:00 am to 7:30 am
Registration and ID check is 9:00 am to 10:30 am
The function room is situated to the left of the hotel as you look out to sea.
Event briefing is at 7:40 am and 10:40am, outside the front of the hotel
(Toilets are situated within the main complex)
It is a short walk to the start line, so try and be ready there 5 minutes before the start.
The start and finish area is located at the First and Last refreshment house
We look forwarded to welcoming you all back to the finish line and presenting you with your medal!
Trophies for 1st to 3rd Female & Male, 1st Team, The 'True Grit' reward and best dressed pirate
Fancy dress is optional, not mandatory
There is no bag drop at this venue due to limited space, please leave your belongings safely in your car. The venue accepts no responsibility for your car or your belongings
Health and Safety
We do our absolute best to make sure your day goes swimmingly but sometimes things go wrong.
If you are unwell, please do not turn up and try to run. The whole thing could unravel very quickly.
Look after yourself and your well being first
Please dress appropriately for the weather. I have run this race in 25'c and in a monsoon!
The kit list for this event is advisory but it is built on years of knowledge. We would not run without it
No on the day entries and you will be asked for photo ID.
For safety and medical reasons, we must make sure nobody is running under someone else's name. It is foolhardy and dangerous
Please fill out all the details on the back of your bib number. This is in case you get into difficulties.
It also has our emergency contact numbers on it
We have Omega Medical attending the event and looking after all the runners. They have been at every Bys Vyken event since 2016 and are thoroughly experienced. We would not trust anyone else
If at any point, you feel the need to retire from the event. Please get word to a marshal or contact us directly. We need to know that you are safe.
Please respect the environment and do not litter, deliberate acts of littering will be a disqualification
Please overtake runners responsibly and also give way to other runners safely. Respect everyone
The event is timed with ankle tags, so please think where you would like to be at the start line. May not be worth getting trampled on by the stampede.
For your safety, the half has 5 hour cut off for this event with a 2 1/2 hour cut off at Cape Cornwall.
The marathon has an 8 hour cut off with 4 hours at Mousehole
Cut offs are there to make sure everyone can complete these events safely. We will have marshals out there all that time and sometimes the weather can be extremely demanding
Other things to remember
This is an out and back event. You will be criss-crossing each other on narrow paths. You are asked to respect each others distance and space when passing where you can. This includes the tourists and walkers you will encounter on the coast path.
Sorry, no dogs are allowed to run in this event
All photo ID shown must be a physical item, ie; drivers licence, passport
All aid stations provide your standard fare for a race day, crisps, nuts, sweets and fruit. There are large water containers at each station as well as cola. Bys Vyken are a cup less events company so please bring your own.
Please also be respectful at Land End Resort. They allow us to come back year after year and we would like to continue to do so.
Kit List ( half - recommended)
Kit List ( Full - mandatory)
Quality waterproof jacket with taped seams
Cap, buff or similar
Hydration system (vest/pack) 1 ltr min
Reuseable cup
Nutrition
First aid kit with blister plaster
Foil blanket
Whistle
Fully charged mobile phone
Map (supplied at registration)
£20 emergency money & photo ID
And finally, Rules of the Smuggle..
The Pirates must bring all the items back that you took from Pirate Keith
1 bottle of rum
coins from around the world
a shell
rare gemstone
teabags
Remember to check your treasures, there will be a hidden key within 3 of the bags.
These unlock the chests to a prize!
And did you find a skull?
Rum and surprisingly, tea were the most smuggled items in Cornwall
Whilst the Corsairs will meet Royalty, who will give them a royal warrant to hunt pirates and a payment for their services
Drinking the rum during the race will get you thrown overboard (disqualified)
Feel free to drink it, after you have finished.
Thank you for reading all of the above and we look forward to welcoming you all aboard on the day
ARC Permit Number ARC/25/0026
ARC Permit Number ARC/25/0027