- Sun 28 Sep 2025
10:00
Age 18 & over
£72-£74
- 26.2 miles road running + 350 m ascent
Event overview
The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running is a spectacular event with one of the world's most breathtaking marathons at its heart.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Loch Ness, this marathon is not only about the race but also about the experience, making it a must-visit for running enthusiasts. Voted among the top 10 UK marathons by Runner's World readers, it combines picturesque scenery with a vibrant atmosphere, drawing runners from around the world.
Breathtakingly beautiful, friendly atmosphere, flawless organisation, felt like a festival not just a race.
Participants can choose from various distances to suit their preferences and abilities:
Festival highlights
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon
Point to point from one end of the loch to the other, finishing in the capital of the Highlands - Inverness.
The Baxters River Ness 10K
Offers a flat, scenic route through Inverness, ideal for those aiming for personal bests.
Corporate Challenge
If you prefer a team approach to sport, then this 10K for teams of 4-6 could be the ideal race for you.
Baxters River Ness 5K
For newcomers or those seeking a shorter distance, the Baxters River Ness 5K is open to all ages and abilities, including wheelchair entrants, finishing alongside other events at Bught Park.
Wee Nessie
Families can engage in the fun with the Wee Nessie, a race designed for kids aged 5 and under, ensuring that everyone can be part of this exciting festival.
Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon promises a memorable experience filled with camaraderie and the beauty of the Highlands.
This event is part of Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running.
Event photos
- All fitness levels
- Event expo
- Event village
- Families
- Fancy dress
- Newcomers
- Spectators
- Teams
- Traders at event
Timetable
Saturday
Sunday
10K Corporate Challenge
The Corporate Challenge is a fun team-building opportunity:
- Open to all sectors of business and industry in the public and private sector
- Teams must contain a minimum of 4 runners and a maximum of 6 runners; incomplete teams cannot be accepted
- Times of the fastest four combine to make the team’s final score
- Prizes are awarded according to the accumulated results of the fastest four runners in each team
- Companies are welcome to enter more than one team
- All entries must be from bona fide employees of the company; an employee cannot be entered into more than one team
- Each team must nominate a team captain who will be responsible for entering their team online
Rally your work mates and sign up today!
- Bag storage
- Bag transfer
- Bar
- Cafe
- Changing facilities
- Entertainment
- Music
- Paid parking
- Park
- Rural
- Showers
- Toilets
- Urban
Event HQ
Bught Park
Bught Road
Inverness
Highland
IV3 5SQ
UK
Make a weekend of it
Why not make a Highland weekend of it and come with family or friends? There’s plenty to entertain runners and spectators over the weekend with a free Sports Expo, Baxters Food and Drink Fayre, live music, kids’ activities and a Wee Nessie for under-5s.
Parking
There is no parking at Bught Park.
Saturday
Public car parks include:
- Highland Council HQ Car Park, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX
- Cathedral Car Park, Ness Walk, Inverness, IV3 5NN
- Old Town Rose Street Multi- Storey, Farraline Park, Inverness, IV1 1NH
- Eastgate Centre Multi-Storey Car Park, 11 Eastgate, Inverness IV2 3PP
- Torvean Car Park, IV3 8JL accessed from roundabout opposite Premier Inn, Glenurquhart Road
Sunday
Public car parks include:
- Highland Council HQ Car Park, IV3 5NX (10min walk to marathon bus pick up point)
- Torvean Car Park, IV3 8JL accessed from roundabout opposite Premier Inn, Glenurquhart Road (5 min walk to marathon bus pick up point)
- Bone conducting headphones only
- Cut off time
- Distance markers
- First aid
- Food stations
- Marshals
- No headphones
- PB
- Point to point
- Return transport
- Toilets
- Traffic free
- Undulating
- Water stations
- GPX available
GPX route
The route is displayed on the map above.
Overview
The Loch Ness Marathon follows a spectacular point-to-point route alongside world-famous Loch Ness, starting in an atmospheric moorland setting and continuing through stunning Highland scenery, taking you along the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness, across the River Ness, to finish in Inverness, capital city of the Highlands.
Map
Cut off
7 hours.
The Loch Ness Marathon is a running event and all runners are welcome. The aim is to support every participant, whatever their pace, from start to finish and provide the best possible experience.
The Marathon starts at 10.00 and the race cut-off time is 7 hours at 17.00. In the interests of safety and to minimise the disruption to the local community and residents, roads along the final 3 miles in Inverness start to re-open from 16.30 and the finish line and Event Village start to be dismantled from 17.00. If you think that you will take longer than 6hr 30min, you are asked to use the pavement through Inverness. Participants still on the course after the cut-off time continue at their own risk.
Water/feed stations
Being well hydrated and drinking little and often is essential for achieving your best performance. There are seven water stations along the marathon course, water will be provided in 330ml recyclable plastic bottles with sports caps. There will be four gel stations along the marathon route providing High5 Energy Gels.
- Sustainability policy
This event is committed to being as sustainable as possible and minimising its environmental impact. There are many ways the event eliminates waste and reduces its environmental impact as outlined in the sustainability policy.
- Certificate
- Chip timing
- Goody bag
- Massage
- Medal
- Post-race meal
- Technical t-shirt
Included
- Finisher's technical t-shirt
- Finisher's medal
- Goody bag
- Post-race food
- Electronic timing
- Downloadable finisher's certificate
- Water stations along the route
- HIGH5 gel stations along the route
- Coach transport to marathon start
- Baggage transfer from start to finish
- Fantastic Festival at the finish
Optional extras
- Massage - Saturday and Sunday
Charity places
These charities have places in the event. To secure your place, select a charity and provide your details.
All charity places
Heart
Heart Research UK
Funding pioneering medical research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Dedicated contact
Sign up
£40
Fundraise
£400
Health and Medical
Parkinson's UK
Find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson’s.
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Dedicated contact
Sign up
£40
Fundraise
£450
Cancer
Macmillan Cancer Support
No one should have to face cancer alone.
- Personalised running vest
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Online training zone
- Cheer squad on the day
Sign up
£40
Fundraise
£400
- Age 18 & over
- Entries open
- Charity places
- Collect race pack
- Enter online
- Race pack by email
Entry fees
Entry fee (Affiliated)
£72.00
Entry fee (Unaffiliated)
£74.00
5 stars doesn't even come close to how good Loch Ness Marathon is! Loved by all and a jewel in the crown of Scottish road running. I would recommend it to all.
Loch Ness vs London. There is no contest. I know I would rather take the scenic route.
Reviews thanks to RaceCheck