Loch Ness Marathon 2025 set to welcome record entry in Inverness and Highlands
OVER 10,700 participants from across the globe are heading to the Highlands to take part in the Loch Ness Marathon Festival of Running on Sunday.
Alongside the marathon, the weekend offers distances for all ages and abilities, including the Baxters River Ness 10K, River Ness 5K, 10K Corporate Challenge, and the Wee Nessie fun run for children aged five and under.
This year's sold out event has seen a record 5800 entries for the marathon and a record 10,700 entries across all distances. For this year’s event, 50 per cent of marathon participants travelling from outside Scotland and 82 nationalities represented.
Meanwhile, a third of the 5K entries are from local schools and youth clubs showcasing the strong community spirit at the heart of the festival.
Among those lining up this weekend are several familiar names returning to defend their titles and chase new personal bests.
In the marathon, Inverness athlete Shaun Cumming from East Sutherland AC who finished as runner-up last year is expected to be among the frontrunners for the title.
Lachlan Oates from Shettleston Harriers, a former 10K champion will also be looking to make his mark over the 26.2-mile course.
Meanwhile in the women’s marathon, Melissah Gibson from Ealing Eagles/100 Marathon Club will be looking to record a hat-trick of victories after claiming the title in 2023 and 2024.
In the Baxters River Ness 10k, course record holder Logan Rees (Fife Athletics Club) is back after taking first place in 2024.
He is joined by Max Abernethy (Aberdeen AAC), who finished second last year, and teammate Sean Chalmers, a previous top-three finisher.
The women's 10K will see Caitlyn Heggie (Inverness Harriers), last year's first female finisher, go head-to-head once again with Robyn Pinder (Metro Aberdeen Running Club), who secured second place in 2024.
Malcolm Sutherland, CEO of Caledonian Concepts said “We’re absolutely thrilled to be welcoming thousands of participants back to the Highlands for this year’s Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running. The atmosphere in Inverness across the weekend is always something very special, with people of all ages and abilities coming together to enjoy the challenge, the scenery, and the incredible community spirit. Whether it’s the marathon, 10K, 5K or Wee Nessie, every distance captures the magic of Loch Ness – and we can’t wait to see that energy fill the city once again this weekend.”
Thousands of pounds are also expected to be raised for charity this weekend. The official charity partner for 2025 is Macmillan Cancer Support, with other partners including Alzheimer Scotland, Cancer Research UK, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Highland Hospice, My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and Parkinson's UK, alongside more than 30 further charities. With hundreds running to support these causes, participants will be making a real difference to communities across Scotland and the UK while taking part in one of the most memorable events on the sporting calendar.