Baxters Loch Ness Marathon
Inverness, United Kingdom · September · Independent
Why people love it
- Highland loch-side setting; RaceRaves scenery 4.6 of 5.
- The first 16 km (10 mi) descend more than 300 m (980 ft) from a moorland start.
- Bagpipers at the start, a hot Baxters meal at the finish and a record 5,200 runners in 2019.
- Aid includes water, electrolyte drink, gels and first aid points, plus cowbells at Dores.
- The finish runs along the River Ness into Bught Park.
Watch out for
- Cold, exposed coach start with little shelter; toilet queues are long and the last bus back takes over an hour.
- A climb near Dores at 29 to 31 km (18 to 19 mi) and another near 34 km (21 mi).
- Steep early descents of 300 m (980 ft) can leave your quads sore; pace the first half.
- Four seasons in a race: 61% rain chance, 90% humidity and gusts to 28 km (17.4 mi)/h (17 mph).
- General entry sold out by 1 April 2026; Inverness hotels and restaurants fill.
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Tough
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.3
RaceRaves 4.3 from 8 ratings, Racecheck 4.9 from 1 and positive club reports; one 2026 first-timer found it less scenic than expected. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.1
Reviewers praise emails, course notes, bib pickup, a convoy of coaches and hot food, but toilet queues are long and the last bus is slow. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyDoable3.4
The early descent and aid help, but a cold coach start, a 300 m (980 ft) drop and late hills suit experienced runners. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage3.3
Net downhill, but climbs near 29 to 31 km (18 to 19 mi) and 34 km (21 mi); guides call it more bucket-list than PB. · Medium confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course scenerySpectacular4.7
RaceRaves scenery 4.6 and multiple reports of loch-side Highland running; one 2026 first-timer disagreed. · High confidence
- Room to runRoomy3.6
A field of 4,000 on narrow country roads and a single-track start; no major crowding reports. · Low confidence
- Road surfaceGood3.6
Tarmac country roads, with some single-track at the start. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed4.3
Country roads are closed for about 7 hours, per the organiser. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessRolling2.9
About 310 m (1,020 ft) of gain by one listing, 150 m (490 ft) by another; climbs near Dores and 34 km (21 mi). · Medium confidence
- Net downhillDownhill4.0
The first 16 km (10 mi) drop over 300 m (980 ft), with a downhill finish; confirm Boston eligibility. · Low confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSome waiting2.7
Coaches from Inverness to a cold, exposed moorland start, with long toilet queues and a cramped ride. · Medium confidence
- Pacers and timingSome pace groups3.4
Reviewers do not describe pace groups or timing in detail. · Low confidence
- Crowd supportDecent3.0
Sparse on course, picking up at Foyers, Dores with cowbells and sweets, near 37 km (23 mi) and at the finish. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.8
Water, isotonic drink, gels and first aid at regular intervals; a hot Baxters meal at the finish. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindSome wind3.0
Gusts to about 28 km (17.4 mi)/h (17 mph) are possible; the start is exposed and the loch-side stretch more sheltered. · Low confidence
- Air temperaturePleasant4.0
Typically 8 to 14 °C (46 to 57 °F), with a cold start at height and warmer sun later. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityUnsettled2.4
Reports mention mist, heavy rain near Dores, wind at the start and a 61% rain chance. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyTricky2.4
Remote moorland start and a point-to-point route make it hard for supporters to see runners. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.5
The finish is about 5 m (16 ft), though the start sits several hundred metres up. · Low confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early2.8
Inverness rooms and restaurants book out for race weekend; reserve early. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal2.8
Demand pushes up prices in Inverness on race weekend; no rates were found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving3.4
Packet pickup and the finish are in Bught Park; coaches take runners to the start. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.0
Inverness airport (INV) is 15 km (9 mi) away; a sleeper train runs from London. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity3.4
Pickup the day before at the finish area was inconvenient for one runner; coach transport is well organised. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood4.0
Inverness is a gateway to the Highlands; restaurants fill, so book early. · Low confidence
Entry
How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
- Getting inRegister early2.5
General entry sold out by 1 April 2026, five months ahead; no ballot, first come first served. · High confidence
- Value for moneyGood value3.7
Fee not verified; reviewers liked the hot meal and bagpipers, and charity places carry a sponsorship minimum. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Inverness, Highland, United Kingdom
- Typical month
- September
- Latest or next date
- 26 September 2027
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 4,000 athletes
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- point-to-point
- Climbing
- 310 m (1,020 ft)
- Start time
- 10:00
- Cutoff
- 7 hours
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
- Surface
- Tarmac country roads, some single-track at the start
- How to get in
- open
- Sells out
- Yes
- Air temperature
- 6–14 °C (43–57 °F)
- Humidity
- High, about 90%
- Altitude
- 5 m (16 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Inverness (INV), 15 km (9 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Inverness city centre, Ness Bank, Bught Park area
- Booking
- Inverness rooms and restaurants book out for race weekend; a 2014 reviewer says reserve restaurants early. Packet pickup is the day before at the finish area.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRavesRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
8 ratings, 4.3 average (scenery 4.6, difficulty 3.5). Runners agree the loch and Highland setting is superb with sneaky early hills and steep downhills. Complaints: cold early coaches, long toilet lines, thin crowds; a 2026 first-timer did not find it scenic.
“It is the most beautiful course I have run.”
- Racecheck (Matt W.)Raced 2019 · aggregator · Positive
Rated 4.9: very scenic and very hilly, starting downhill then along the loch to Inverness. Praises the bagpipers at the start and well-organised Saturday pickup; complains of too few toilets. Free hot soup at the finish.
- David OrrRaced 2022 · blog · Mixed
A 4:35 finisher found the first 16 km (10 mi) deceptively downhill (over 300 m or 980 ft), the loch section flat, and a steep climb near 27 km (17 mi). The coach ride was cramped, the exposed start cold, and the registration the day before inconvenient.
- Doncaster Athletic Club (Angie and Becky)Raced 2018 · blog · Positive
Club members describe a convoy of coaches to a closed single-track start, long toilet queues, rolling terrain with a warned climb near mile 19 (31 km), cheering at Foyers and Dores, plentiful aid with gels and a hot Baxters meal. Four seasons in a race.
“Loved the event and one I would return to one day.”
- Maryhill Harriers (Linda Sinclair)Raced 2018 · blog · Positive
On her sixth Loch Ness, a PB of 3:53:15: a clear cold start with mist, heavy rain near Dores, crowds growing toward Inverness, isotonic drink at regular intervals and a feared hill near Dores followed by six hard miles (10 km).
Show 2 more
- runABC Scotland (Christine)Raced 2019 · blog · Positive
Ran 3:27:42 in a record 5,200-runner year with over 60% from outside Scotland: a downhill start, climbs after 8 km (5 mi), at Dores around 29 to 31 km (18 to 19 mi) and near 34 km (21 mi), cowbells and sweets at Dores, rain and wind at the start then blue skies.
“It really is the best of both worlds.”
- RundidaRaced 2027 · aggregator · Positive
Guide summary: net downhill but undulating with climbs near miles 6 and 18 (10 km and 29 km), more scenic bucket-list than PB course, exposed cold start, 8 to 14 °C (46 to 57 °F), 61% rain chance and a fast 2026 sell-out.
Raced Baxters Loch Ness Marathon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
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