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 … MORE
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.
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Beautiful course; well-run organization
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 … MORE
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.
Beautiful country run
I ran Loch Ness for the first time in 2019 and was excited to return for it again in 2021. Although an early morning to get out to the start … MORE
I ran Loch Ness for the first time in 2019 and was excited to return for it again in 2021. Although an early morning to get out to the start with waiting in the rain/wind, once the race gets going it’s spectacular. The weather always seems to cooperate once you cross the start line as well! Rolling hills and a peaceful run, while looking at breathtaking scenery. One I’ll be back to run in 2022!
Terrible Start, beautiful corse.
The Scottish people are Awesome. Crowd support was minimal. Finish area... muddy at best. The runner is transported 26 miles to the start line and dropped off to fend foe … MORE
The Scottish people are Awesome. Crowd support was minimal. Finish area… muddy at best. The runner is transported 26 miles to the start line and dropped off to fend foe themselves for over an hour , maybe 50 temp, windy and raining with no cover. Portal potty lines were horrendous. And don’t use the bushes off road, I tried, fell and broke a rib right before the start of the race. Due to uneven terrain Yes I finished.
A beautiful running experience
Course Difficulty - moderate based on the course profile (a wee bit hilly), Scottish Highlands weather and an exposed starting area. Course Scenery - Beautifully rugged mountain surroundings at the … MORE
Course Difficulty – moderate based on the course profile (a wee bit hilly), Scottish Highlands weather and an exposed starting area.
Course Scenery – Beautifully rugged mountain surroundings at the start descends quickly into mix of pastures, forests and water while enjoying rolling country road course. Nature, runners and a sparse numbers of spectators (until the later stages when you approach Inversess) reminded me of the Big Sur Marathon.
Race Production: A seasoned race director and team delivered an excellent experience.
Race Swag – Medal, shirt, pre and post-race festivals were all very nice. A wonderful regional event.
Less fancy dress than I was expecting
I ran this in 2012 as my first marathon, finishing 8 seconds shy of my time goal. Obviously, a repeat performance was required. Sadly, I was about 17 minutes SLOWER … MORE
I ran this in 2012 as my first marathon, finishing 8 seconds shy of my time goal. Obviously, a repeat performance was required. Sadly, I was about 17 minutes SLOWER in 2013, but I attribute that to the 25 pound sled I was carrying (race report below for more details). FYI – when they say “no strollers”, it’s clearly to avoid babies being catapulted across the road.
The course starts with 5-6 miles downhill, which destroyed my quads the first time. I guess it never really crossed my mind that I should train for downhill sections. You should do this.
The rest of the course is ‘undulating’, with a noticeable hill after Dores at around mile 16/17/ You crest it (at least you think you do), but there’s on final incline before the crowd support starts trickling onto the radar, and you make your approach into Inverness.
Scenery is pretty good, though a lot is on a closed B road flanked by trees, through which you catch glimpses of the loch. There are porta-loos throughout, but if you can make it to Dores, wait for the pub and rest your cheeks on porcelain!
Crowd support is sparse until the final 3-4 miles, but you are never running on your own, as it’s one of Scotland’s biggest marathons. Aid stations are regular, but I stick anything in my mouth during a course, I can’t really comment on choice (though I seem to remember little).
The main kicker (other than the hill after Dores) is the 7am bus to the start line at Fort Augustus. The start time being 10:00. Take a leak before the bus (though there are porta-loos at the start and you will have time to use them). Also at the start line: bag drop – so wear warm layers and strip them off at the last possible moment.
There are massages at the end, but the wait is unholy. However, if you’re running for a charity, Macmillan have a massage table just for their runners. Worth hassling people at work for some donation cash, believe me!
I had signed up for my third year running (ho ho ho), but injury forced me to drop down to the 5k fun run, which will remain a low point in my life.
General weekend info: Inverness is in the ass end of nowhere, so allow plenty of travel time if you’re driving. You’ll probably need to arrive Saturday for packet pick-up (though they do allow some people to register early Sunday, it is not highly advertized). If you want to eat anywhere decent, book a restaurant ASAP. The week before the marathon is not a suitable time to try and find anywhere willing to accommodate you (no matter how much you beg), unless eating at 3pm or 10:30 pm is your style.
Oh, and the medal ain’t bad, but it hasn’t changed in years.