Baxters Loch Ness MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (442 votes). | The big picture (442 votes) | | Overall score | | 96% | | How many would do it again? | | 94% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 98% | | PB potential | | 58% | | Atmosphere | | 88% | | Organisation | | 89% | | Value | | 84% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 76% |
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2012 race reviewed by: slowhand
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Pure Majic !
In full: Well done to the organiser`s,marshals,first aid people etc.You have a marathon to be proud off,Stunning scenery,the sun was shining...bagpipes at the start and soup&curry at the end.First class to all involved,not forgetting a great city that is easy to walk around and highland hospitality at every turn.
Date of review: October 20, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Karen Dare 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Loved it!
In full: We organised a 'Running friends' weekend away in Inverness to do this marathon. Flew in to Inverness, B&B for the weekend in the city, didnt need a car at all. Marathon organization was excellent from registration, pasta party, coaches and the race itself. Numbers were small (@2500) so overcrowding wasn't ever an issue. Course was tough but not hard as nails. Scenery fabulous as you get dropped off in the middle of nowhere and run back to the city. Lacking crowd support until you get to the city but other runners were friendly. If you're thinking about doing this then I have one tip - pick a coach with an on board toilet as there aren't enough toilets for girls at the race start! You should do this marathon at least once in your life!
Date of review: October 20, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Sleek Lemur
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: I saw the monster, honest !
In full: Hearing tales of the long bus ride, I was fearing the worst, but it all ran absolutely superbly. Especially as our bus had a loo on it ! A top Lemur Tip from me. Get on a comfy coach with a lav. As the first bit is downhill, I found it hard not to clatter off at top pace and regretted it towards the end . It ended up being the hardest marathon I've ever don, but if I'd slowed myeself down at the start, it probably wouldn't have been too bad. Amazing organisation. Superb marshalls. Brilliant spectators. And getting a text with your time as soon as you cross the line...We have arrived in the 2q1st century, ladies and gentlemen ! One thing. I stayed to watch the prize giving and no way was the lady who won the over 50's, over 50 :-) It's a long way to go, but I'd really recommend this race to anyone. Inverness is a lovely city as well.
Date of review: October 18, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Vickhi
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
Date of review: October 7, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Tmap
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Monster!
In full: I'd sum it up with this: the real problem with most large road marathons is the finish; they mollycoddle you and ply you with drinks before and during the race, but at the end there are so many people that they really must get you away from the finish as fast as they can, unless you've actually collapsed. Trouble is this is really the only time where you really need a bit of care.
The Loch Ness Marathon, on the other hand, is just the right size to be able to lay on a big tent with hot soup, hot food, chairs, tables and drinks where you can warm up and savour the moment with other runners. Brilliant.
The whole thing feels like it's been organised by someone who actually knows just what it's like running a marathon, and that's quite unusual. Will most certainly be back.
Date of review: October 7, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Elli of the North
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Scenic race that will challenge your toughness...
In full: Scenic race with some added toughness. Did a PB despite the hills. Organisation was the best I've seen. Tshirt was amazing and so was the post run food. I will definitely be back again for this one. This is, by far, my favourite marathon!
Date of review: October 6, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Antony Birks
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Excellent day
In full: Excellent day got a pb fantastic course stunning scenery (2nd to the Grand Canyon Marathon)plus had a great weeks holiday
Date of review: October 6, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Bill Hemstedt
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Spectacular race, very friendly, even a good technical t shirt
In full: The race lived up to its billing, with spectacular views over the hills as we came up to the start on the bus, and even delivered perfect sunny conditions. I got the bus from Drumnadrochit, which meant a slightly later pick up time and a trip round the other side of the Loch, which was good. Great atmosphere on the bus, and just enough time to get to the start line after handing in my bag. Flew down the first mile and carried on at pace, passing the half way in close to a HM PB, but then reality kicked in with the 2 mile hill at 18 miles.
Had a good value massage in the tent afterwards and a very welcome bowl of curry, along with a technical shirt that I will actually use and a nice medal. Really good value.
The only thing I'd change is the registration. As I wasn't staying in Inverness, just coming in to pick up the number, which took 1 minute and could have been posted, was a bit of a mission.
Date of review: October 4, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Jonathan Thetford
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A very special race
In full: This was my second marathon, VLM in 2010 being my first. Organisers of this event have certainly got it nailed. Pre race registration easy, the coaches up to the start all on time and leave promptly and things to do for spectators. We put together a 7 day break around this event with another couple and I will just list a few pointers below which you may find helpfull. Firstly, drive to Inverness, I drove from Norwich, very long way and overnighted in Berwick upon Tweed. If you decide on flying or train you are limited in Inverness as to what you want to do for a few days. However, Inverness is a very nice city. Loch Ness and Urqhart Castle are a must and we also drove over to Fort William to ride the Jacobite train along the most scenic railway journey in the world. Also, the Castle Pub, real ales, real food, the ales after the race!!! Back to the race! Having done VLM as my first marathon, the crowds, as expected are in not in numbers here. For the first 25 miles you are on your own apart from the odd house you pass with people cheering. Fantastic scenery, from the word go until Inverness, you do literally follow the Loch, 90% of the way. Sureal start up in the highlands as you are Pipped over the start by a band. Excellent value for money, great medal and Techincial T Shirt. Reviews say it can be fast, which I will agree with to a point, but there are one or two tricky steep climbs early on, one in particular at the 6 mile mark, where I saw people walking. Another long climb, not so steep is at 18 miles. I was plesed with my performance to a point, ran 20.5 miles without stopping until an old football knee injury cut in. Walk and and ran the last 5.5miles, hopeful of breaking the VLM PB, but failed by 3 minutes. Lastly, all I can say is, if you want a marathon which is totally different then do it. I would like to say, that I will probably do it again, but living so far away I probably never will. A special, special race.......
Date of review: October 4, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: 1wozza
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Beautiful views but a bit lonely
In full: Great race, great vistas, great weather!!!
I got a PB, very happy with dipping under 3h50 on the undulating course.
Badged as the "friendliest" marathon but in my opinion it isn't. There is virtually no crowd apart from the last mile due to its location. I love the support of the crowd so this was a bit of a downside for me in an otherwise great day.
I'll stop moaning now.
Date of review: October 4, 2012
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