Baxters Loch Ness MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (442 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Tattie
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Loved every minute.
In full: Despite some of the previous comments, I think this is a definite PB course...... as long as you've trained for the hills that is (down as well as up) and run sensibly.
I've ran this twice and had significant PBs both times - also won a prize this year so very happy.
Was on the clapped out Fort Augustus bus but the pre race hill walk seemed to warm me up and calm my nerves so not so bad in the end.
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Pete Beesley
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Don't make it your first but make sure you run this at least once!
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Jwheezy
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic Marathon
In full: I really enjoyed this race, I only have 2 dissapointments 1 was the start but we all know what happened so i'm not going to go into that, the other is the lack of toilets at the start, when will race organisers start using the portable urinal's which i've seen at great run race? problems aside this was one of my favorite events, once the start came everything went perfectly, drink stations were well placed and the surport for such a rural surrounding was impressive, thank you. the hills were a problem especially the last one but with more hill training I will give it another stab next year, the end in the stadium was great and all the stewards were great throughout.
THANK YOU FOR A MEMORABLE RACE WEEKEND
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Dive Boy
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Fantastic scenery, Well organisde, Very Friendly. UNDULATING to say the least
In full: Still aching - definitely needed to do more hill training. Only gripe is that whilst sitting on a bus for over an hour at Inverness we weren't given any updates on what was happening. Apart from that fantatstic organisation.
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Chris at no 11
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: My first marathon , couldn't have picked a better one. Yes the buses were a bit of a hiccup so I didn't really get enough time to get to the back of the start and ending up setting off too quickly but that's down to my lack of experience ....thoroughly recommend ...!
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: alasdair macleod 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Friendly runners, friendly marshalls, friendly supporters, not-so-friendly hills
In full: An absolute gem of a race. Even the walk from Fort Augustus when the bus broke down couldn't put a damper on this race. The scenery is magical, although the hills are in tricky places. Even the downhills were tough, as they were too step to really let yourself go, so you didn't get the time advantage you would expect. Water (and Lucozade)stations were excellent and the cadets manning them were extremely encouraging, as were the crowds in Dores and Inverness, as well as the smaller villages en route. I would recommend this race without hesitation, but don't expect a PB, train on hills, and pace yourself.
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Mac The Lad (Graham)
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Undulating is a word not to be underestimated
In full: You read about the undulation and you hear about it but its not untill you actually do the marathon that the "undulation hits you"
Dont get me wrong this is a fantastic race and one I would seriously consider doing again but if I could reiterate just one point "Mind the early hills!!!"
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Robbo_Run
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Beautiful course - Mind those hills!
In full: I chose Loch Ness for my first marathon, as I preferred the thought of a scenic route, rather than a city route. I wasn't disappointed. The views were stunning from the start, which feels like the middle of nowhere. Although I finished slightly slower than my target at 4:47, I had a great time and the cameraderie amongst the runners was great.
I wasn't affected by the main bus delays, getting the bus from Drumnadrochit. The bus struggled up the hills but made it with the encouragment of 70 odd runners in the back! We were the first at the start so were able to relax and partake of the coffee provided.
For future reference, I would have run the first half a bit slower, leaving a bit more for the slog between 17&21. Once up there I couldn't get my pace back up, but I kept going at a slower pace, and was delighted to finish my first marathon with a good stadium finish. Goody bag was light of stuff with 2 heavy tins of soup! T-shirt great, and it was great to be able to take photos on the winners podium, with family.
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: freefall bunny
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A stunning event with a bit of bite
In full: This event has gone from strength to strength and it is great to see son many runners and such huge support this year. The route is stunning and testing giving a great sense of achievement as you finish on the stadium track.
This event is meticulously organised and the logistics normally great. It is pity that the bus company let us down, but we are hardy lot and the great cameraderie at this event meant that it did not spoil the atmosphere.
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: CLWomble
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic scenery and lots of "undulations"
In full: This was my first time running a marathon and I have to say I really enjoyed myself. There were lots of well spaced water and lucozade stations and I've very glad I did some hill training - but in my mind there were only two killer hills and I just walked up them to save energy. The remaining "undulations" were okay from a beginner perspective. The hill at mile 17 is very tough mind you (its one I walked up) - but overall the scenery was so wonderful it made the miles fly by. General support was fading slightly by the time I finished (just over 5 hours) - but I still felt great as I crossed the finish line. A good race for beginners providing you put in the hill training.
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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