Baxters Loch Ness Marathon

Why this race belongs on a competitive runner's shortlist

Loch Ness suits runners who want a scenic marathon and are prepared for a hilly course. The race follows Loch Ness and finishes beside the River Ness at Bught Park. A large overall descent gives it a different character from a city loop, but the climb after mile 17 matters more to your pacing than the net-downhill label. Choose it for Highland scenery and a point-to-point challenge; train your legs for sustained descents as well as the late rise.

Course overview

The point-to-point road course starts on moorland between Fort Augustus and Whitebridge. It descends toward Foyers, follows the south-eastern shore of Loch Ness, then leaves the loch around mile 17 for an uphill stretch. After mile 19 the route heads into Inverness, follows the River Ness, crosses Ness Bridge and finishes at Bught Park. The early descent and later climb divide the race into different effort demands.

Kilometers 0 to 10: Moorland descent

The moorland start between Fort Augustus and Whitebridge is the highest part of the mapped route. Analysis of the organizer-linked elevation coordinates puts the opening 10 km at roughly 306 m down to 152 m, with rises within that descent. Avoid braking hard on each downhill or chasing an ambitious split. The first mapped water stop is about 4.7 km; take your planned early fuel with water if needed.

Kilometers 10 to 21.1: Foyers and the loch shore

Foyers marks the transition toward Loch Ness. The mapped profile continues downward overall, from about 152 m near 10 km to 33 m at halfway, with repeated smaller rises. Keep your stride comfortable through the changing grade. The official map places High5 gels and water near 10.3 km and water near 15.7 km. Use those stops to support your practiced fueling plan before the later climb.

Kilometers 21.1 to 32.2: Leaving Loch Ness

The course follows Loch Ness until around mile 17, then turns inland for the late uphill section. The organizer-linked profile rises from about 33 m at halfway to a high point around 95 m in this interval. Cap effort on the climb instead of defending a fixed kilometer pace. Water and High5 gels are mapped near 22 km, with water near 28.2 km; fuel before the hardest rise rather than postponing it until after.

Kilometers 32.2 to 42.2: River Ness and Inverness

The approach to Inverness drops toward the River Ness before the final crossing of Ness Bridge and the Bught Park finish. The mapped profile falls from about 84 m at 32.2 km to roughly 9 m at the finish. Let the descent bring pace back without forcing tired legs. High5 gels and water are mapped near 32.2 and 37.7 km. Use the last stop if it fits your plan, then focus on the river-side finish.

Elevation checkpoints and how to read them

The Strava map embedded by the organizer lists 916 feet of climbing, about 279.2 m. This is Strava-modeled ascent, not a survey total published independently by the race. FindMyMarathon models 310 m of ascent and 614 m of descent, illustrating how methods differ. The opening moorland descent leads to the loch, while the most important late climb begins after mile 17. Expect downhill running to load your legs before that climb.

Aid stations and race-day logistics

The current map marks water at approximately 4.7, 10.3, 15.7, 22, 28.2, 32.2 and 37.7 km; High5 gels share the 10.3, 22, 32.2 and 37.7 km stops. Positions are approximate readings of map waypoints. Coaches to the remote start leave Inverness Ice Centre on Bught Drive, a 10-minute walk from the event village. The organizer asks runners to arrive between 07:00 and 07:30; buses depart between 07:30 and 07:50. Drop your kit bag at the start for transfer to the finish.

Practical pacing plan

Hold back on the moorland descent before Foyers; easy breathing there does not tell you how much work your legs are absorbing. Use the Loch Ness shore to maintain a steady effort and keep fueling. Conserve effort on the inland climb after mile 17, then consider a controlled push along the River Ness if your stride still feels sound. Wind near the loch and wet roads can change both effort and grip, so adjust pace to conditions.

Historical weather pattern

September history for Inverness, Scotland gives a typical daily temperature range of 43.4 to 69.4 degrees Fahrenheit, daily maximum sustained winds of 5.5 to 17.2 mph, and at least 1 mm of rain on 50.7 percent of days. Historical conditions can change, so check the race-week forecast before travel and again on race morning.

Edition history