- Photo Gallery
- Introduction
- When does it start?
- The Route
- What's Included?
- How to Enter
- Confirmation of Entry
- Race Weekend Timings
- Pre-Race Registration
- Transport to the start of the race
- Timing
- Drink Stations
- Toilets
- Mile Markers
- Road Closures
- Slow Runners
- The Finish
- Festival on Race Day
- Marathon-Photos.com
- Spectators
- Volunteers
- Baxters Pasta Party
Introduction
The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running is a notable fixture on the running calendar. There are great marathons around the world, many of them particularly marked by their settings, and the Loch Ness ranks right alongside them.
The centuries-old legend of the Loch Ness Monster is a story that continues to run. Along with the scenic beauty of the area, it has been responsible for attracting visitors to this fascinating part of Scotland for many years.
The opportunity to put such a memorable marathon on their record, one with such a unique story to tell, has proven too strong a pull for thousands of runners of all abilities.
The route begins in an atmospheric location and continues through breathtaking scenery, taking you along the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness, across the River Ness, and into the centre of Inverness, capital city of the Highlands.
With a hot meal and entertainment awaiting you at the finish, plus fantastic technical t-shirt included in your entry fee, the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon also offers genuine value for money.
Runners at the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon are taking on the challenge for many reasons: to raise money for good causes, to have fun and enjoy the fantastic setting, to experience the camaraderie, and to achieve their own personal goals.
Why not make this the year you join them? It’s your chance to become part of the Loch Ness running legend. Make the commitment and enter today.
When does it start?
The Marathon starts at 10.00am on Sunday 30 September 2012 between Fort Augustus and Foyers on the south side of Loch Ness, and will finish along the River Ness at Bught Park in the centre of Inverness.
The Route
The Marathon will start on the high ground between Fort Augustus and Foyers (B862) and will drop down to the banks of Loch Ness at Foyers (B852). From there, the route follows the loch’s south eastern shore, heading north east towards Dores on the northern tip of the loch. From Dores, the race heads directly into the centre of Inverness (B862), turning left over the main road bridge and left again for the last half mile along the River Ness to the finish at Bught Park in the centre of Inverness.
Please click on the map to enlarge.
IMPORTANT – Runners must keep in the left hand lane at all times. The organisers reserve the right to alter the route if operationally required.
The race is held in a beautiful pristine environment and at times in close proximity to residents’ houses, so the race organisers would ask that all runners be sensitive about rubbish disposal, noise levels, listen to marshals instructions, and use only the Portaloos provided. As we’re sure you would expect, we do not tolerate antisocial behaviour.
What's Included?
Entry Fees include online charges and:
- Finishers technical t-shirt
- Finishers medal
- Goody bag
- Post-race meal
- Electronic timing
- Downloadable Finishers Certificate
- Energy Drink and Highland Spring stations on the route and at the Finish
- Coach transport to the start of the Marathon
- Baggage transfer from the Start to Finish/Event Village
- Loch Ness Marathon magazine (emailed to overseas entrants)
- Fantastic festival at the Finish including live music, fun family activities and a food and drink fayre
- Route on closed roads
How to Enter
Charity, club and overseas places available in the marathon. To find out more about running for charity please click here. The Marathon is open to runners aged 18 and over on day of race. This event is not suitable for wheelchair entrants.
Please note there are absolutely no race day entries for the marathon, and strictly no transfers between races or transfer of places to another runner. We do not operate a deferment system.
Confirmation of Entry
Applicants will receive confirmation of entry on receipt of payment, by email ONLY, so please include your email address when entering. If you do not have email please check your bank statement for confirmation of race entry. Race information will be sent to marathon runners from July.
Race Weekend Timings
Saturday 29 September
12.30-18.00 Pre-race Registration at Bught Park, Inverness. IV3 5SS
12.30-18.00 Baxters Pasta Party – all runners, friends and family welcome!
Sunday 30 September
07.30 Runners arrive at Bught Park to be transported by bus to the Start
07.45 Buses depart from Bught Park
08.15 Bus pick-up from Drumnadrochit Tourist Information Centre (For this option, see important note below)
08.40 Bus pick-up from Fort Augustus Tourist Information Centre (For this option, see important note below)
09.05 Buses arrive at Start
10.00 Start of Baxters Loch Ness Marathon
10.00-16.00 Festival of Running at Bught Park open to the public
13.45 Prize-Giving at Bught Park
Pre-Race Registration
Pre-race Registration for marathon runners will take place between 12.30-18.00 on Saturday 29 September 2012 at Bught Park where you will collect your race number, timing tag, baggage label and Pasta Party tickets (if purchased in advance).
Transport to the start of the race
All marathon runners are transported by bus to the Start from the Ice Rink, a short walk from Bught Park. Please arrive by 07.30 as buses will depart promptly at 07.45. Due to logistical reasons and route access it is impossible for runners to travel to the Start independently.
All runners will be transported to the start of the race from 3 pick-up points:
Pick-up Point 1 – Ice Rink, near Bught Park, 07.30-07.45.
Pick-up Point 2 – Drumnadrochit Tourist Information Centre, 08.15.
Pick-up Point 3 – Fort Augustus Tourist Information Centre, 08.40.
IMPORTANT – We are anticipating minimal numbers of people requiring pick-up from Fort Augustus or Drumnadrochit. If you do require pick up from here please e-mail info@lochnessmarathon.com by 10 September. (Please note that the organisers will NOT be organising return transport to Fort Augustus or Drumnadrochit after the race).
Drink Stations
We would like to thank our official water sponsor Highland Spring, and our many volunteers, for providing valuable drink stations along the route.
The drink stations can be found at approximately three-mile points along the route (see route map). It is very important that you replace lost fluids by drinking regularly throughout the Marathon. Each drink station will be clearly signed and will be on the left hand side of the road. Highland Spring water will be provided in 33cl bottles.
- 3.3 miles – Highland Spring water
- 6.7 miles – Energy Drink
- 7.2 miles – Highland Spring water
- 9.8 miles – Highland Spring water
- 13.3 miles – Energy Drink
- 13.7 miles – Highland Spring water
- 16.7 miles – Energy Drink
- 17.1 miles – Highland Spring water
- 20.0 miles – Energy Drink
- 20.2 miles – Highland Spring water
- 23.4 miles – Energy Drink
- 23.6 miles – Highland Spring water
- 24.9 miles – Highland Spring water
Toilets
Toilets are available at Bught Park prior to transport to the start. There are also Portaloos at the start, and clearly signed Public Toilets and Portaloos at regular intervals along the route, as follows:
- 2.6 miles – Whitebridge Hotel
- 6.5 miles – Foyers Public Toilets (Portaloos)
- 9.0 miles – Inverfarigaig Forest Enterprise
- 17.5 miles – Dores Inn (Portaloos)
- 23 miles – Holm Roundabout, Inverness (Portaloos)
Road Closures
We have priority on most of the roads throughout the Marathon, however, please keep to the left hand side of the road at all times as it might be necessary for emergency and officials’ vehicles to travel along the route.
Slow Runners
We would ask runners expecting to take longer than 5 hours to use the pavement on the left hand side through Inverness. Race organisers start to dismantle the course from 16.30 onwards.
The Finish
The Finish is along the River Ness at Bught Park in the centre of Inverness. Here you will be presented with your finishers’ medal, t-shirt and fantastic goodie bag. There is also complimentary post-race food, which includes Baxters soup, for all marathon runners. Showers and changing facilities are available. Massage is also on offer for a small donation to charity.
Festival on Race Day
We are planning a fantastic line-up of entertainment and activities at the Finish at Bught Park– open to the public from 10.00-16.00 – with massed pipes & drums, live music, charity and sports retailer stands, the Baxters Food & Drink Fayre, kids’ activities, and great Highland hospitality.
Marathon-Photos.com
Marathon-Photos.com will be taking photographs and video of the competitors on the course and at the finish. The photos will be available online within 72 hours of the event to every entrant as exclusive photo products. Plus every competitor will be able to download for FREE their Event Certificate.
www.marathon-photos.com
Spectators
Our spectators have a key part to play in this Marathon. Their cheers of encouragement and congratulations always help to keep the runners on the move, particularly on the final push through the city of Inverness and as they enter Bught Park. Bike access is possible along the route from Foyers to the Finish.
The final 4 miles through Inverness provide the best vantage points for spectators. Dores (Dores Inn) and Foyers (Foyers Stores) also provide good vantage points. We would encourage all spectators to come to Bught Park where all of our races finish and enjoy our festival atmosphere!
Volunteers
We need your help! Volunteers are needed to undertake a variety of tasks including: assisting at drink stations; helping at the finish line and many other key tasks.
Please visit our Volunteers page for more information.
