Baxters Loch Ness Marathon

Marathon Baxters Loch Nis

The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running will take place on 5th October 2008

Online entry is now open!
Click here to enter online now.

This section features important entry and race information and is regularly updated. For information on River Ness 10K click here and River Ness 5K Fun Run click here.

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon
Recognised as one of the UK's leading marathons, the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon follows a spectacular point-to-point route through stunning Highland scenery, along the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness, and then crosses the River Ness to finish in Inverness Queens Park Stadium.

The Marathon starts at 10.00am on Sunday 5 October 2008 between Fort Augustus and Foyers on the south side of Loch Ness, and will finish at the Queens Park Stadium in Inverness.

The Route
Download Loch Ness Marathon Route map
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 bridge in the city centre. The last mile and a half will run alongside the river Ness, before heading a short distance to finish at the Inverness Queens Park Stadium.
IMPORTANT - Runners must keep in the left hand lane at all times. The organisers reserve the right to alter the route if operationally required.

How to Enter
Click here to enter online now.
The Marathon is open to runners aged 18 and over on day of race

Entry Fees

Ballot Entry (now closed): £38
UK Athletics member or club member entry by 15 September: £38
Scottish Athletics runner entry by 15 September: £36
Overseas entry by 15 September: ONLINE ENTRY ONLY:£43
Charity place by 15 September: Please contact your chosen charity direct

Entry fee includes:

Commemorative finishers medal
Quality t-shirt
Goody bag
Loch Ness Marathon magazine
Post-race food
Fantastic festival at the Finish
Transport to the start of the Marathon
Timing chip

Confirmation of Entry
Successful applicants will receive confirmation by email 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 packs will be sent to marathon runners from May onwards.

Race Weekend Timings
Saturday, October 4
15.00-20.00 Pre-race Registration at Inverness Queens Park Stadium (in marquee), Bught Park, Inverness. IV3 5SS (see route map or visit google maps )
15.00-19.00 Baxters Pasta Party – all runners, friends and family welcome!

Sunday, October 5
07.40 Runners arrive at Queens Park Stadium to be transported by bus to the Start
08.00 Buses depart from Queens Park Stadium from outside the Ice Rink
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
13.45 Prize-Giving at Queens Park Stadium

Pre-Race Registration
Pre-race Registration for marathon runners will take place between 15.00-20.00 on Saturday 4 October 2008 at Inverness Queens Park Stadium where you will collect your race number, timing chip, baggage label and Pasta Party tickets. (if purchased in advance)
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.

Baxters Pasta Party
We also hope you will join us at the Baxters Pasta Party taking place between 15.00-19.00 on Saturday 4 October. All runners, friends and family are invited! Here you will be able to "carbo-load" on a three-course meal of soup & roll, pasta & salad and dessert. A vegetarian and meat option will be available. During the Pasta Party there will be live music, and a small number of physiotherapists and massage therapists will provide massage in return for a small donation to charity.

Pasta party tickets will shortly be available to purchase online.

Transport to the start of the race
All marathon runners are transported by bus to the Start from Queens Park Stadium. Please arrive by 07.40 as buses will depart promptly at 08.00.
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 - Inverness Queens Park Stadium, 07.40-08.00.
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 15 September. (Please note that the organisers will NOT be organising return transport to Fort Augustus or Drumnadrochit after the race).

Championchip / Timing System
We will be using the ChampionChip system in the Marathon. This is a miniature transponder programmed with your race number, which you attach to your shoelace. This will provide your individual time from the moment you pass the Start line until you cross the Finish.
At pre-race registration you will be given your ChampionChip. Please do not forget to wear your ChampionChip on race day. NO CHIP = NO TIME. Any chips not returned on race day should be returned to Loch Ness Marathon, PO Box 26, Muir of Ord, IV6 7WZ.
If your chip is not returned, you will be charged £10.

Drink Stations
Thanks to our official water sponsor Highland Spring, our energy drink sponsor Lucozade Sport, and our many volunteers there will be drink stations approximately every three miles 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. Lucozade will be provided in pouches and Highland Spring water will be provided in 33cl bottles.

3.3 miles - Highland Spring water
5.7 miles - Lucozade Sport
6.2 miles - Highland Spring water
8.8 miles - Highland Spring water
12.2 miles - Lucozade Sport
12.7 miles - Highland Spring water
15.7 miles - Lucozade Sport
16.1 miles - Highland Spring water
19.0 miles - Lucozade Sport
19.2 miles - Highland Spring water
22.4 miles - Lucozade Sport
22.6 miles - Highland Spring water
24.9 miles - Highland Spring water

Toilets
Toilets are available at Queens Park Stadium prior to transport to start. There are Portaloos at the start, and clearly signed Public Toilets at regular intervals along the route, as follows:

1.6 miles - Whitebridge Hotel
5.5 miles - Foyers Public Toilets
8.0 miles - Inverfarigaig Forest Enterprise
16.5 miles - Dores Inn

Mile Markers
There are ascending mile markers along the route.

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 on the running track at Queens Park Stadium. Here you will be presented with your finishers' medal, t-shirt and fantastic goodie bag. There is also a complimentary post-race meal (soup and main course) for all marathon runners.
Showers and changing facilities are available in the Sports Centre. Massage is available for a small donation to charity.
Prize giving for the Marathon takes place at 13.45.

Festival on Race Day
We are planning a fantastic line-up of entertainment and activities at the Finish at Inverness Queens Park Stadium – with massed pipes & drums, live music, charity and sports retailer stands, kid's activities, and great highland hospitality.

Spectators
You have a key part to play in this Marathon. Your cheers of encouragement and congratulations will keep the runners on the move, particularly on the final push through the city of Inverness and as they enter Queens Park Stadium. 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 Queens Park Stadium where all three 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; undertaking road marshal duties and many other key tasks.
If you are interested fill in our online volunteering form which can be found on the Want to Volunteer? page. There is a space to put down how you think you can help which will help us plan our volunteers and identify any skills that may be beneficial.