We headed to Eden Project parkrun, our first in Cornwall. It was always one of those bucket list choices to be honest. Plus there is free entry for those who take part. It used to be spectators too but this unfortunately was abused and had to be stopped.
Eden Project, Bodelva, Par, PL24 2SG
Facilities at Eden Project parkrun
- Free parking, toilets and then obviously the Eden Project itself.
- Bike racks.
- Offering indoor and outdoor eating/drinking options.
- Free water refill stations.
- Cash machine.
Taking Stuff In
Lockers near the start which can be a little way from the car park, obviously depending where you parked. The start for the Eden Project parkrun is not near the finish. You can re-enter up until 10:30am. Note that you have to do this via the visitor centre and this is apparently quite uphill.
We opted for me to run with a water bottle and purchase things there. After all they need people to spend money to help it (the Eden Project itself) keep on going.
Eden Project parkrun course
The Eden Project parkrun course starts by the Banana car park. This is right near the toilets and lockers. Everyone is asked to keep warm ups to this area.
Note that the Eden Project parkrun sign is not here! Instead it is located near the finish and you won’t miss it!
Downhill
It is then a beautiful downhill into the crater. Zig-zagging around passing the Core and in front of both the Mediterranean and Rain Forest biomes.
Uphill
Of course this also includes some up and parts are quite narrow. Eden project parkrun is a keep left course. However, someone nearly took me out with their pushchair when I moved left to slow up the hill so do be mindful! Obviously I had looked but they came from nowhere really fast!
Finishing
Described as two and three quarter laps. Regulars explained to me that I would see the finish twice before finally going through it on a third time. Although it is actually slightly to the right. A short bit for the end, but definitely on a small incline. There was a sign showing you this too.
Briefings at Eden Project parkrun
The first timers briefing for Eden Project parkrun is done a little way away from the start. With then people having the opportunity to self-seed before the main briefing. With large numbers of us it was nice that people were respectfully quiet. That even those at the back could hear it clearly.
Self-seeding at Eden Project parkrun
Unfortunately this didn’t happen. Personally I witnessed children right at the front who had to walk on the first downhill. My husband had a woman in front of him just walk from the off. Obviously it’s not a race but it is just polite to let everyone go at their own speed by positioning yourself appropriately.
parkrun itself
For me I think it could have been a PB course if it were less crowded and cooler. Obviously have said this is not the case. As it was I was nowhere near. Everyone was really lovely and of course spectacular views. As a bonus some of the course is where you can’t go normally!
Personally I did quite a bit of walking. Beforehand I was a bit worried as had heard that it could be quite frowned upon but honestly it was fine.
Finishing at Eden Project parkrun
We had to queue for the finish and a lady was there telling us not to overtake each other from that point as we got closer to the queue. Also the lady giving out the tokens was struggling to get them out the machine. This is reflected in the fact that there are 2 seconds between each of our finish times. Again the queue finishing lady was telling us that it wasn’t a PB day.
School Holidays
In my area schools had been broke up a week but in Cornwall they’d only broken up the day before. The Eden Project has lots of activities and a dinosaur exhibition so surely attracted bigger numbers. In fact half as many again as the week before! We actually went in 2014 when they also had the dinosaurs at the Eden Project then too.
Afterwards
We just headed to the nearest café indoors. There were queues both indoors and out. Whilst waiting I could still the sweat just dripping off me! Spoke to a lovely lady whilst waiting and my husband helped her with juggling taking her double pushchair and coffees to the table. The staff serving were fantastic and I told the one who handed me our drinks to stop apologising for the long wait. Honestly it wasn’t that long, especially considering the volume of people!
You may also be interested in Hangloose Adventure – which is actually just outside the Eden Project.
The Eden Project
We then spent a few hours looking around also treating ourselves to ice-creams and an Eden Project anniversary magnet. We then headed back to Tremanor Farm Camping where we were staying. It was only £40 for the two of us for two nights! Especially good when you consider that it was the school summer holidays.
Eden Project parkrun Stats 25th July 2026 Event 336
This week I was quite close in my predictions of the number of participants as was only 4 out. There were in fact 596 of us. 315 male, 253 female and 28 unknown.
- There were 31 volunteers
- 39 PBs
- 70 people doing their very first parkrun
- 296 further tourists
Both first finishers also had the highest age gradings
- SM18-19 in 16:35 (80.40%)
- Fastest female (VW35-39) in 20:57 (72.24%)
Finish Times at Eden Project parkrun
Times varied between 16:35 and 1:07:49.
- 584 under the hour
- 547 under 50 minutes
- 472 under 40 minutes
- 243 did it in 30 minutes or quicker
- 186 in 28 or quicker
- With 98 sub 25
- 47 in 23 minutes or quicker
- 28 under 22
- 21 under 21
- 11 sub 20
- 5 quicker than 19 minutes
- 3 quicker than 18 minutes – including second place runner a JM15-17 who was 17:04, although his course PB is 16:21!
This parkrun increased the distance between my furthest two parkruns to 2068km. The other being Vingis parkrun in Lithuania.
Visit these other bloggers who cover parkrun: Sarah at Mum of Three World, Jackie at Never Imitate and Chrissy at It’s Me Chrissy J and Nickie at I am Typecast