Baxters Loch Ness MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (442 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Kayleigh Ferries
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Nice but not sure if I would do it again...
In full: This was the second marathon that I've done, Edinburgh being the first in May which was very flat but the weather was far too hot for running!
Weather was lovely for this in September, sunny but cool. Scenery was beautiful. However, I missed the support from the crowd and I found it very lonely and quiet.
I did a HUGE mistake by not training for this marathon at all, which was very stupid and I would never recommend anyone to run a marathon without training (believe me, I won't be trying it again in a hurry..).
I ran the first 13 miles, a combo of power walking/running up to 16miles and then I had to walk the remainder - saving my energy for the last kilometre. It hurt so bad and I didn't enjoy it because of this reason - although this was my own fault.
The hills are tough but not impossible, a lot of downhills and flat areas too.
Overall it was lovely but through my own mistakes it was difficult and sore and I missed the cheering crowd - I didn't get the same buzz as when I ran Edinburgh.
Date of review: October 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: RodthePlod
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A fabulous race, fantastically well organised and welcoming to all abilities.
Date of review: October 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Andy N4
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Very well organised and super fast course
In full: I was worried that the faffing about to get buses to the start would be annoying but it wasn't - like everything about the day is was very efficiently organised and ran like clockwork.
Water stations were frequent - every 3 miles or so - which was great.
The first 10 miles are basically downhill (net 1,000 feet or so) which gives this real PB potential.
And the t-shirt is really nice.
Date of review: October 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: More snail than hare.
| | 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: So well organised, the runners were treated like royalty.
In full: Great organisation.Really lovely volunteers.Lots of water and gel stops. Great atmosphere. Simply fabulous.
Date of review: October 1, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: Potluck
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great but harder than I expected!
In full: Having had a bit of time to think about it all the the comments about the lovely scenery are true, well worth the trip. My one and only complaint was the bus transfer to the start line which was both a long slow journey and late, my top tip is this, get on the last bus at the pick up point at bught park, you might think this strange but the road to the start is narrow and as a result the convoy of coaches park in single file along this narrow stretch of road with the first coach to depart ending up as far as possible from the start line and the few toilets while the last to depart is practically on the start line! also because the road is narrow when everyone bails out of the coaches it is incredibly crowded and difficult to get to the loos in any sort of time before the race starts, that really is my only complaint. As far as the run itself goes I checked out the elevation chart before booking this and thought to myself fantastic, it's all downhill, I am now painfully aware that the best part of 12 miles downhill knackered my knees to the extend that I thought i would not be able to finish, add to that a couple of really hard hills and I was good for nothing, having said all that I now find that when I think of the Marathons I have done this has taken a close second place for me behind the VLM as a memorable race, would I do it again! maybe if my knees were better.
Date of review: November 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Outdoorie
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised, scenic route and great goodies.
Date of review: November 11, 2011
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2010 race reviewed by: Outdoorie
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great crowd, great outdoors, great experience! My first ever marathon,
Date of review: November 11, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: abeuseli
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fab scenery, loved the atmosphere and pleased I chose it for my first marathon
In full: I've got to say that after reading all the previous reviews I approached this with some trepidation regarding the killer hills. But I put a fair amount of effort into hill training and was pleasantly surprised to find that I'd probably overtrained - so work on them, but don't let them put you off!
The organisation was on the whole excellent, but I've got to say the late departure of the coaches from Inverness and the one hour plus journey to then be dropped off at the same time as the other 30 or so coaches......a recipe for carnage at the portaloos before the start.
Due to the location, the support was very sparse, but was made up for by the enthusiasm of those who did show up. You can't expect to run in glorious scenery and have the route lined with people.
The post-race reception was fantastic - the best bowl of soup I've ever had and proper, hot food for all runners. Loved the t-shirt and medal and felt very well looked after.
Loch Ness has set the standard - it was my first marathon and it's certainly wet my appetite for more. Well done to all involved!
Date of review: November 9, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Debs Red
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: My first marathon and what an absolutely fantastic experience !!!!!!
In full: I wanted to complete at least one marathon in my lifetime and I wanted it to be an iconic and unique experience, Loch Ness certainly didn’t disappoint.
Despite training and enjoying a good plod, I don’t really consider myself a real runner so continuing to run almost to the 17-mile point surpassed my expectations.
I felt really well looked after, pre and post event and out on the course.
The views on the vast majority of the route are simply outstanding and the mist and hail during the beginning of the run just added to the sense of occasion.
I can’t deny this was the hardest challenge I have ever completed in my life but it was also one of the most rewarding.
Apart from the bus ride, (which was horrendously long with no loo provision) I loved, loved, loved the rest of the event. That feeling, running in through Inverness to the finish line, is simply indescribable. Part of me feels sad that it’s now all over; Loch Ness Marathon was my goal for almost a year.
A massive thank you to every single marshal and supporter out on the course.
Date of review: November 3, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: matthew farrer
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: best road marathon the uk has!
Date of review: October 22, 2011
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