When compiling a list of the UK’s most scenic marathons the
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon would have to be up there. As well as incredible scenery and the beautiful loch, how many races could offer the opportunity to spot a legendary monster?
This year will mark the 17th Baxters Loch Ness Marathon (which is taking place on 23rd September) and it’s showing how firmly established it is in the marathon calendar by looking like its biggest year yet!
Race director Malcolm Sutherland, commented: “With a little under six months left until this year’s Loch Ness Marathon 2018, the programme is really shaping up. Marathon registrations are flooding in from across the UK and beyond with the furthest entries so far coming from New Zealand, South Africa, Japan and Brazil. This is a destination event with wide appeal, it grows in scale and popularity year on year with runners of all abilities and age groups represented, we’ve even got the Wee Nessie race for children under 5 years old. Guaranteed entry is open now and we’d encourage all to come and join us.”
As well as the marathon there’s a 10k and 5k and a children’s race. The River Ness 10K and 5K follow a flat, point-to-point course through the historic Highland capital of Inverness alongside the banks of the picturesque River Ness, and are renowned for their ‘PB’ potential. There’s also the Wee Nessie race, open to pre-school children aged 5 and under, that follows a short circular route in the enclosed Bught Park providing youngsters with the perfect introduction to the sport.
The marathon itself follows a spectacular point-to-point route alongside the world famous Loch Ness, starting in an atmospheric moorland setting between Fort Augustus and Foyers then continuing through stunning Highland scenery along the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness, across the River Ness, finishing in Inverness, capital city of the Highlands. While you can’t deny that there are a few hills it’s a deceptively fast course. I can definitely attest to this as I broke my own marathon PB there when I ran it!
This is a spectacular, must-do race that we can’t recommend highly enough. If you’re looking for a memorable marathon in the Autumn then have a look and
enter soon, before it fills up.
