Craig Grimes's Staging Area

Loch Ness Marathon was on my bucket list, and I finally ran it this year. Throughout the months leading up to the race, you get emails with pertinent and helpful information. As you get close, you even get links to a review of the course-breaking it down into sections. Everything was very helpful and very clear. The expo is an outdoor festival. They have a 5K, 10K, and marathon. They had helpers working to keep the lines moving for the packet pickup, and I made it through with only a minimal wait. It wasn’t the biggest expo as far as products available for purchase; but there were plenty with relevant things to pick up at the last minute. The race is a point-to-point race, and you have to take a bus out early in the morning to the starting point. They must have commandeered every bus in Scotland to take the 5000 participants to the starting line. It was handled as smoothly as you could want. Probably could have used more porta potties; but everyone was using the woods around us as an alternative. The race started with bagpipes and beautiful scenery. The weather is always changing and we had sun, rain, wind and then 60 degrees. Others in the past have raved about the course, and they were right. It is the most beautiful course I have run. You get gorgeous views of Loch Ness and the Highlands. But the course is a killer. There are some brutal hills. When people here and elsewhere emphasize practice running hills, believe them. The downhills can be steep, and my quads are still killing me. You finish the race at the Festival. There’s a banana and water and a goody bag-nothing exciting. The medal is a classic one, and you get a finisher shirt. I would absolutely recommend doing this race. Also, everyone we met in Scotland was friendly and helpful.

All the reviews from prior years talked about how hilly the course is–and they weren’t exaggerating. If there’s a 1/2 mile of flat road in Tulsa, I don’t think the marathon covered it. That being said, the people were fantastic. Leading up to the race, the expo was a disaster. It was moved from indoors to outside which apparently caused practically all of the vendors to disappear. In addition, trying to obtain my bibs and packet was a joke. I paid extra for the VIP package–which was supposed to result in a quick in-and-out trip to get the packet. After standing in line for 25 minutes while someone tried to find my packet, I was then told it was still back at an office and there was no clue as to when it would arrive. So, I would not recommend wasting your money on a VIP package. The marathon itself was well organized. The wind was tough at times and at times made it feel chillier than the reported temp. I liked running through all the neighborhoods with so many folks hanging out, partying, offering beer, donuts, Firebird, jello shots, and the more mundane water, oranges and bananas. I’ve run races where local folks complain about the music and the closed streets and it was great having a choir and bands and radios going throughout the course. I’m a slow runner and the fans were still there after 4+ hours. As people have mentioned, all the medals (including the Center of the Universe coin) are apparently still stuck on a ship somewhere, but they let us know as soon as it appeared they wouldn’t make it on time. Even though the course kicked my butt, it was a good race and I’d recommend it.

I applaud all that the race director did to adjust in the face of Covid and still keep these races live. There’s a 5K, 1/2 and full marathon. Total number of racers is capped at 750-with only about 271 in the marathon. The adjustments included temps being taken before the race; masks required at all times except while running; there was a switch to multiple corrals to spread people out; no post-race showers and changes with how the post-race food was handled. All of those changes were very smooth and handled very well. The course is along the White River and it’s and out-and-back race (once for the 1/2; twice for the full marathon). There aren’t many spectators, but that never bothers me. The volunteers at the aid stations and turn-around spots were great. They were very enthusiastic and supportive of everyone. The medal was great, and if you registered before September there was a hoodie for you. This was a small-town race where everyone was friendly. Also, there was plenty of food—even if you were not one of the earlier finishers. I also have to give a shout out to the Cotter Trout Lodge as a place to stay. It’s only about 1 mile from the start, and the folks in charge were extremely nice in allowing a late check-out. The room was everything I needed, and you weren’t far from a number of restaurants. I’d definitely return to do this race again.

First time running this half marathon. Not a lot of social media/other info ahead of the race. Only 5 porta potties at the start of the race. If you didn’t get there early, you had a very long wait. It was an out and back course with a very nasty hill at mile 12. It seemed to me and the pacer I was running with that the mile markers were off during the last 6 miles. The pacer was great. Really helped me. The aid stations were run by families for the most part, and I’ve never seen so many helpful kids. They were great. Huge medal.