Baxters River Ness 10K

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 now.

This section features important entry and race information and is regularly updated.

Baxters River Ness 10K
This is a flat point-to-point route through the historic Highland capital of Inverness, past the Castle and along the banks of the picturesque River Ness.

The River Ness 10K starts at 11am on Sunday 5 October 2008 on the south side of Inverness to finish in Inverness Queens Park Stadium.

The Route
Download Route map
The start is a short distance from the roundabout of the Holm Road / Essich Road Junction. From the start, the route travels south along the Essich Road, turning right down the Torbreck Road before arriving at the t-junction on the Dores Road (B862). (From Torbreck Road/ B862 junction, the route follows same route as marathon to the finish). Turning right onto Dores road, the route continues along same road directly into the heart of Inverness, turning left into Cavell Gardens, following Ness Bank and Castle Road and turning left over main town road bridge and left again immediately after the bridge into Ness Walk. The route continues along the edge of the River Ness, along Ness Walk, Bishops Road and Bught Road (looping around to right) before turning right at t-junction into Glenurquhart Road and sharp right turn into Queens Park Stadium to the Finish.

The organisers reserve the right to alter the route if operationally required.

How to Enter
Click here to enter online.
Open to runners aged 16 and over on day of race.
This event is not suitable for wheelchair entrants.

Entry Fees

Entry by 1 August: £19
Entry 1 August – 15 September: £21
Scottish Athletics runner entry by 1 August: £17
Scottish Athletics runner entry 1 August – 15 September: £19
Overseas entry by 15 September: ONLINE ENTRY ONLY: £24

Entry fees includes:

Commemorative finishers medal
Quality t-shirt
Goody bag
Loch Ness Marathon magazine
Post-race food
Fantastic festival at the Finish
Championchip 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.

Please not that your race information packs containing your race number, Championchip etc will be sent to 10K runners by 25th September 2008. The only other communication you will receive is from the e-newsletters.

Race Weekend Timings

Saturday, October 4
15.00-19.00 Baxters Pasta Party – all runners, friends and family welcome!

Sunday, October 5
09.30-10.30 Runners arrive at Inverness Royal Academy, Culduthel Avenue, Inverness, IV2 6RE. (see 10K route map or visit google maps )
Parking is available at the Inverness Royal Academy however we encourage that all runners are dropped off if possible.
11.00 Start of Baxters River Ness 10K
12.45 Prize-Giving at Queens Park Stadium
12.30-15.00 Free shuttle bus service from outside main entrance of Sports Centre at Queens Park Stadium back to Inverness Royal Academy (for those who need to collect their cars)

Pre-Race Registration
There is no pre-race registration for the 10K, as all 10K runners with a UK address will receive their race number, ChampionChip, safety pins and baggage label by post in advance in September.

Overseas runners ONLY must collect their race pack during pre-race registration at Inverness Queens Park Stadium between 15.00-20.00 on Saturday 4 October.

Please note there are absolutely no race day entries for the 10K, 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.

Championchip / Timing System
We will be using the ChampionChip system in the 10K. 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.

In your race pack you will be provided with your ChampionChip. Please do not forget to bring your ChampionChip on race day. NO CHIP = NO TIME! Any chips not used or 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.

Race Day
On the day of the race, runners are asked to make their own way to the Inverness Royal Academy, prior to the Start of the race. Parking is available however we would encourage you to car share where possible, or be dropped off to avoid the need for transportation back to the Start after the race. (A free shuttle bus is available to take you from the Finish to collect your car). From the Academy, it is approx. 1000m walk/trot to the Start (a perfect warm up!).

The Start
Your race number will correspond to where you stand for the start of the race (e.g Race No. 4187 starts from pen marked 3901-4200).
Please follow the signage to take up position in your allocated start area and listen to marshal instructions carefully. Finally, please respect and be considerate to other runners by allowing them to overtake within the first 2km where the road is at its narrowest.

Drink Stations
Thanks to our official water sponsor Highland Spring and our many volunteers there will be 2 drink stations along the route (see route map). Each water 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 and are located as follows:

4.0 km Highland Spring water
8.0 km Highland Spring water

Toilets
There are Portaloos/toilets at Inverness Royal Academy.

Kilometre Markers
There are ascending Kilometre markers along the route.

Road Closures
We have priority on all roads along the route. 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.

The Finish
The Finish is on the running track at Queens Park Stadium. Here, you will be presented with your finisher's medal, t-shirt and fantastic goodie bag. All 10K finishers receive complimentary Baxters soup and roll.
Showers and changing facilities are available in the Sports Centre. Massage is available for a small donation to charity.
Prize-giving for the 10K takes place at 12.45

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, bands, charity and sports retailer stands, kid's activities, and great highland hospitality.

Spectators
The final 4K through Inverness city centre provide the best vantage points for spectators. We would encourage all spectators to come to the Finish at Queens Park Stadium and enjoy our Festival atmosphere and local food stands!

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 section to put down how you think you can help which will help us plan our volunteers and identify any skills that may be beneficial.