Baxters Loch Ness MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (442 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Mark Scott 18
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough going for a first timer but great nonetheless!
In full: Bus problems aside I can't complain about any of the organisation. Think the turnaround in weather overnight and the amazing scenery definitely added to the great atmosphere at the start. Great encouragement from the small groups of people along the way. My old ITB problems from months before flared up after half way, which I guess I might have avoided had I run a flatter city marathon first. Anyway still managed under 4 hours 21 which I'm happy with. I'll def be back, but not before I've tried a few others.
Date of review: October 7, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: PMcF
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: The best Road Race you could enter.
In full: A magical day and a good stiff course to test you out. Was amazed with the change in weather from the day before, perfect running conditions. Was slightly apprehensive about the hill at the 17 mile marker, however it was comparable with the hills I do my training runs on, so handled it better than I had anticipated, and will know what to expect next year.
My 2nd time in Inverness but 1st for the Marathon and hopefully this will become a fixture for me in the years to come, Inverness is a real nice place, so much to see and do.
A fantastic weekend, well done to all the Organisers, Stewards and all the runners taking part, a great day out.
Date of review: October 7, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: kaysdee (Kelly)
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Beautiful race, fantastic support, great experience
In full: Although I ran the race injured, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous, water/fuel was plentiful and there was more spectator support than I thought there would be.
The hills are definitely not something to take lightly so you must do some hill work.
Great goody bag and post race food/massage at the finish and I loved the medal.
The only reason I'm saying I won't do it again is that it is a bit too far to travel. Maybe in a few years.
Date of review: October 7, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Jonathan Mackintosh
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Read the comments - Everyone loved this marathon and rightly so!
In full: Even with the bus problems (not the organisers fault) there is nothing but glowing reports from this marathon and that surely speaks volumes!
Recovering from the Moray Marathon 3 weeks previously and with a bad bout of flu in between, I knew this was going to be a tough one and I was right. By mile 14 I was beat (I did make it to the end) but I am still positive about the run and the reasons for that are numerous.
The organisation was great.
The scenery was amazing... and that's from someone who has cycled the Great Glen Way... the road on that side of the loch affords THE best view of Loch Ness and the surrounding area for sure.
The medal is lovely.
The stadium finish was a nice way to end the run.
If there is 1 thing I would like to see it is a technical tshirt rather than a cotton one - they are just so much more useful and practical and, I am sure, would be seen at runs for years to come!
Date of review: October 7, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Damian Keen
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Glorious race marred by transport hiccups
Date of review: October 7, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Andy042
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: Not going to mention the fiasco with the buses (oops too late ).Second time doing this marathon certainly wont be the last.Excellent marshalling,excellent support from locals,excellent weather,excellent goodie bag etc etc etc. Do it.
Date of review: October 7, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Chesilboy
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Stunning, I don't know what event could beat it.
In full: A glorious day in a beautiful place. This is also a fast course if your quads can survive the mostly downhill first half. The cool temperature and clean air also helped me to a big PB.
I can't fault anything about this race. Even the bus delay was fine as there was a great atmosphere on my bus, and anything that lengthened the day was OK by me as I didn't want it to end!
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Hoodedman
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: The best marathon to ever be a part of
In full: People have mentioned the buses, well I was sat next to the toilet on one of those buses...rancid!
I was sad to leave Inverness, the event is so well organised, such a great course, such great support from organisers and local villages, great value for money. This is the second time I have ran this event and I will be back for more, I have absolutely no gripes, even had a bar at the end, a pint of sheep shaggers went down a treat....brilliant,brilliant,brilliant!!
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: grecian 2000
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: You couldn't come up with a better way to get to Inverness!
In full: The marathon route takes you on a point to point journey south of Inverness on a flat/undulating in parts course through idyllic scenery with the Loch in view at most times before reaching the city's outer limits at about 23 miles. The course is quick but pacing needs to be judged correctly in order to benefit from this. A bit bumpy around 4 and 6 miles, that uphill grind at 18-19 miles, and the final little hill at about 20 miles - if you have something in the tank, you can tackle the undulutations positively and overtake many who have slowed up at this stage.
Despite the problems with the buses, this event is perfectly organised. The three events attracted over 7000 entrants - a great achievement for a location as isolated as this. There was nothing but a warm welcome from the time I stepped off the plane, the pre-race pasta party (with good quality food), a friendly atmosphere once we made it to the race start (information regularly updated re the delayed race start to reassure runners), decent facilities at the start (but you are always going to have queues here with everyone arriving together and desperate for a comfort break after 2 hours on a bus!), and a free post-race meal along with live entertainment. The race was accurately mile-marked, supported with numerous marshals, drinks stations ideally placed with isotonic drinks available about 1/2 mile before water stations (bottles) - perfect for me. Crowd support was sporadic due to the inaccessibility of the course, but the villages were out in force, the gorilla was a real star, and large numbers built up as you approached Inverness. The grandstand finish befitted such a good-feel event, and I had a tear in my eye as the commentator called out my name as I came down the home straight.
The organisers have really put along into this event, and the runners seemed to be their priority at all times. I have nothing but good thoughts on the weekend, and the weather also ended up being perfect for the day.
The marathon medal is something that will be treasured, the t-shirt will be given a good airing over the coming months, and the two tins of soup will be a good post-training run meal (having survived Inverness Airport security).
Thanks to everyone behind the event.
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: bedshaped
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fantastic. Loved every minute!!!
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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