Baxters Loch Ness MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (442 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: JN
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A fantastic event
In full: The organisation of this event just could not be better. From the registration process, bus transfer to the start and the finishing line procedure were all handled calmly without any hitches.
Completion of this course gave great satisfaction, especially as I did a PB. The scenery, once the rain and mist had cleared was superb and as one of the slower runners, to finish in the sun was perfect.
Date of review: October 8, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Simon Buck 6
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great event for all standards.
In full: I've run this event twice now and in 2011 set a huge PB. The course is very fast over the first couple of miles and quick up to 8 to 9 miles. The secret with the first half is to take it easy. I may well have run a negative split in 2011, simply because I controlled myself in the first half. The previous year I ran hard from the start and died after 16 miles. It has the potential for a quick time but you have to run it the right way. Great course, and the atmosphere in the last few miles is teriffic and the scenary well that is wonderful.
Date of review: October 8, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: bampot - footworks
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Stunning Scenery, Quiet roads, excellent organisation, finish with a smile on your face
In full: First marathon in three years and what a run to do it on! Everything was perfect! A wee bit of rain at the start, clouds through most of the run and at the end, the sun came out (if you were a slower runner!!!)
The organisation was flawless as usual, goodie bag was better than ever and the marshalls were incredible. Cannot think of a reason not to do this fantastic run!!!
Date of review: October 8, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: missimmy
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Beats Edinburgh hands down!
In full: I've run Edinburgh 4 times and EVERYTHING about loch ness is better.
Registration-nice and quick
Pasta party-awesome food, great value
The start-we stayed in fort Augustus the night before to transition to the start was quick and easy. They were serving tea at the start-how cool!!??? Good thing there were plenty of bushes to have a wee behind!!!
The course-first few miles was loads of downhill, couple of tough hills mile 18-19, amazing scenery lots of water and lucozade stations and great atmosphere with the other runners. Great crowd support for the last 3miles!
The finish-lots of supporters, nicely organised, easy for your friends/family to see u cross the line.
Great medal, t-shirt and goody bag! All runners got a voucher for free food-v.nice touch!! Massage tent and live music finish-brilliant weekend AND I knocked 34mins off my 2011 Edinburgh time -despite those hills!!!!!
Date of review: October 7, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Graeme Hackland
| | 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: Excellent race, fair route, beautiful scenery, fantastic finish
In full: With the start being so far from the finish, the organisers have done a great job to get all the runners there. The buses did not leave on time and so the start had to be delayed. This is the only detraction from a fabulous race. Well organised, very friendly marshalls and helpers, lots of people on the course cheering, a fantastic finish in Inverness, nice medal and running shirt, cup of soup afterwards! I set a PB, so although the course is undulating (with one long hill at around 18 miles) it is a very fair course and has PB potential! I definitely recommend this marathon to anyone (even beginners!)
Date of review: October 7, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Keith Ainslie
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great location; unique route; well organised, this one should be on your "bucket list"
In full: Very special race; incredible convoy of buses to the start and definite PB potential.
Yes the bus journey took longer than planned, and yes it was a bit tight for time from arriving to the gun going off, but on the plus side it meant less time waiting in the rain.
Like others, I did struggle to find a restuarant in Inverness on Saturday night, note to self - book a table in advance - problem sorted.
I also left it late to book accomodation and struggled to find somewhere, note to self - book your accomodation well in advance - problem sorted too!
I may have been lucky as my bus was at the back of the convoy and therefore nearer the baggage trucks and the start line. Yes there were not enough loos at the start, but have you ever been to a race where there are enough loos to cope with all those nervous bladders?
Yes there is a morale and energy sapping hill at 20 miles, but the first 5 miles are downhill and fast to balance this out.
Given the remote location you can't fault the level of support.
Plenty of drinks stations, although I'd prefer more water than lucozade, that's my only minor grumble.
Nice flat finish; decent goody bag and great T shirt.
For me the key point in any review is whether the writer will be back --- not only will I be back, but this is one I'd recomend to anyone.
Date of review: October 7, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: David Cowdroy 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
Date of review: October 6, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: NEAMAC
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great Race! Great support!
In full: My 2nd Loch Ness, other than the bus journey taking forever at the start (which I knew about from last year!), brilliant race and well organised. The support even in the pouring rain was fantastic. We maybe mad for running but the supporters are brave for standing there for hours! Stewards and youngsters handing out the drinks always smiling! Well done to all and see you next year!!
Date of review: October 6, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Louise Needham 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Lovely scenic route with positive challenges
In full: Im fortunate enough to be surrounded by hills where I live so have plenty of practice and was prepared for the ones Loch ness had to throw at me (if I remember correctly circa mile 4,6,8, 18 and a bit more at 20 are the main ups) - needless to say my training had paid off and was able to enjoy the route - not over crowded and the scottish weather means that despite the uphills this one still creates PB potential. Plenty of water and lucazade stops along the route with local supporters dotted along the way (big support in Dores which gives you a great buzz at the 18 mile point). Toilets very busy at the start but there was a loo on the bus - recommend using that unless you want to a wilderness wee (lots of potential areas for this too and seemed to be popular option for quite a few runners). No spectators at the start - basically because you are dropped in the middle of no where - but well organised and not overly busy at the finish - ie fine for getting parked close by. Entry fee includes bus transport to the start plus hot food at the finish (which I was surprised but I actually really enjoyed) so feels reasonable value really. Overall really enjoyed this race which gives you a fantastic opportunity to spend some time once you have finished in a really beautiful (albeit often a bit wet and drizzly) part of the world
Date of review: October 6, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Chocky
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
Date of review: October 5, 2011
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