Loch Ness Marathon 2024
2023 Loch Ness Marathon, 10K & 5K
Starting in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland, the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon follows a spectacular point-to-point route alongside world famous Loch Ness, across the River Ness, to finish in Inverness, capital city of the Highlands. Bring family and friends? There’s plenty to entertain runners and spectators over the weekend with a free Sports Expo, Baxters Food & Drink Fayre, live music, kids’ activities and a Wee Nessie for under-5s.
Top 100: Rated by Runners World UK as one of the 100 best races in the world (hand-picked by a panel of athletes and experts in 2022).
The Scottish city of Inverness is our base for this fabulous festival of running. Home to stunning scenery; take a stroll along the Ness Islands or search for the mysterious Loch Ness Monster! Known affectionately as Nessie, a creature that according to Scottish folklore lives in Loch Ness. Are you a fan of the show Outlander? Did you know many of the scenes were filmed in Inverness? So much to explore and do!
Meals Included
Daily breakfasts & pre-race dinner
Guide
Guidance & support from our team
Trip Extension
Trip extension available upon request
Accommodation
Excellent Inverness hotel for 5 nights
Entry
Guaranteed Marathon entry
Celebration Party
Welcome to the Highlands Party & Post race celebration
Excursions
2 x Day Tours included, shake-out run, escorted trip to Expo
Travel Package Information
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Itinerary
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Wednesday 27th September, 2023
Arrival Day & Welcome Party
Make your own way to the charming Glen Mohr Hotel in Inverness and check in for your 5 nights stay. The rest of the day is free to explore until we gather for the “Welcome to the Highlands” party. A 10-minute bus ride will bring us to Bogbain Farms, where in addition to a typical Scottish dinner you will taste some of the best malt whisky the Scottish Highlands has to offer, including Glenmorangie, The Dalmore, Tomatin, The Singleton of Glen Ord and Dalwhinnie. While enjoying sips of these fine whiskey’s you will be entertained with the history, stories and music of the Scottish Highlands. (Breakfast and dinner included)
Thursday 28th September, 2023
After breakfast you will have your choice of a day tour that has been created to match your interests with local sights and activities. You will be asked during the booking process which tour you would like to choose.
Each guest has the option to pick one day tour for Thursday and one for Friday. When you register, please make your selection under the Optional Add-ons tab. The cost of each tour is included in your package, however lunch is not included. Suggestions will be made. Each group will be approximately 20 persons. We will do our best to accommodate your request. Please note that activities subject to change.
#1 Active Day – Trekking in the Scottish Highlands. The treks will be dependent on the weather. Your experienced guide will be sure to factor in the elements in planning your day. The general plan will be to go to the Nevis Range and/or Cairngorm with stops along the way. Your day will conclude with the ‘must see’ Sheep Dog Display before heading back to the Glen Mhor Hotel. Estimated departure time 8:00 AM with a return at 5:00 PM.
#2 Loch Ness Day Tour – We will start our tour with a 25-minute cruise up Loch Ness to the Urquhart Castle. Your tour of the Urquhart Castle will provide beautiful views overlooking Loch Ness and an overview of the castles history dating back to AD 580. We will then make our way to the Dunrobin Castle, capturing beautiful scenery along the way. Here you will have time to grab lunch in the cafe, tour the castle and see the amazing Bird of Prey Show. Estimated departure time 8:00 AM with a return at 5:00 PM.
#3 History Day Tour – Includes a visit to the Culloden Battlefield and education center that will provide a powerfully emotive understanding of the 1745 Jacobite Rising and its tragic end. Next we will tour the Cawdor Castle and gardens, which originally belonged to Clan Cawdor before passing into the hands of Campbells in the 16th century. A tour of a whiskey distillery is on the agenda today as well. Estimated departure time 8:00 AM with a return at 5:00 PM.
Dinner this evening will be on your own to enjoy one of the many establishments within walking distance of your hotel. (Breakfast included)
Friday 29th September, 2023
Day Tour
Following breakfast, you will have your choice of a day tour that has been created to match your interests with local sights and activities. You will be asked during the booking process which tour you would like to choose.
Each guest has the option to pick one day tour for Thursday and one for Friday. When you register, please make your selection under the Optional Add-ons tab. The cost of each tour is included in your package, however lunch is not included. Suggestions will be made. Each group will be approximately 20 persons. We will do our best to accommodate your request. Please note that activities subject to change.
#1 Active Day – Trekking in the Scottish Highlands. The treks will be dependent on the weather. Your experienced guide will be sure to factor in the elements in planning your day. The general plan will be to go to the Nevis Range and/or Cairngorm with stops along the way. Your day will conclude with the ‘must see’ Sheep Dog Display before heading back to the Glen Mhor Hotel. Estimated departure time 8:00 AM with a return at 5:00 PM.
#2 Loch Ness Day Tour – We will start our tour with a 25-minute cruise up Loch Ness to the Urquhart Castle. Your tour of the Urquhart Castle will provide beautiful views overlooking Loch Ness and an overview of the castles history dating back to AD 580. We will then make our way to the Dunrobin Castle, capturing beautiful scenery along the way. Here you will have time to grab lunch in the cafe, tour the castle and see the amazing Bird of Prey Show. Estimated departure time 8:00 AM with a return at 5:00 PM.
#3 History Day Tour – Includes a visit to the Culloden Battlefield and education center that will provide a powerfully emotive understanding of the 1745 Jacobite Rising and its tragic end. Next we will tour the Cawdor Castle and gardens, which originally belonged to Clan Cawdor before passing into the hands of Campbells in the 16th century. A tour of a whiskey distillery is on the agenda today as well. Estimated departure time 8:00 AM with a return at 5:00 PM.
Dinner this evening will be on your own to enjoy one of the many establishments within walking distance of your hotel. (Breakfast included)
Saturday 30th September, 2023
Shakeout Run, Expo & Pasta Dinner
Join us this morning for a short shakeout run prior to breakfast. After breakfast we will walk to the nearby Loch Ness Marathon Expo and Event Village in Bught Park (approximately one mile). The rest of the day is at your leisure. Tonight join us for a pre-race pasta dinner at our hotel. (Breakfast and dinner included)
Sunday 1st October, 2023
Race Day and celebrations!
Breakfast will be available early. Those running the marathon will depart early for a leisure one mile walk to Bught Park where we will board the marathon buses to the start. If you are participating in the 10K, taxis will be ordered to take you to the start. If you are participating in the 5K, you will walk to Bught Park where it starts. All races finish at Bught Park where you can enjoy the running festival once you cross the finish line. Tonight we will gather for a post-race celebration and reception! (Breakfast included)
Monday 2nd October, 2023
Taxis can easily be ordered via the reception desk at the Glen Mhor. Unless you have booked extra nights with us then we say thank you for joining us. It’s not goodbye but instead we’ll see you next time as we hope you will join us for another Marathon Tours & Travel trip. (Breakfast included)
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Packages & Rates
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Marathon Tours & Travel Loch Ness Marathon package includes the following:
- Stay at Hotel Glen Mhor Inverness for 5 nights, taxes included
- Daily breakfasts, except on arrival day
- Welcome to the Highlands party (Wednesday)
- Day Tour (Thursday)
- Day Tour (Friday)
- Short shake-out run (Saturday)
- Escorted walk to Expo & Event Village for race pack collection (Saturday)
- Pre-race dinner (Saturday)
- Post race celebration (Sunday)
- Guidance and support from Marathon Tours & Travel team in Inverness
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Hotels
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2022 hotel - Glen Mhor Hotel
Subject to change for 2023.
The Glen Mhor Hotel, which occupies a row of converted Victorian houses along the River Ness, offers a comfortable stay in the centre of Inverness.
This charming hotel is a five-minute walk from Inverness Castle and many local restaurants and pubs. Each of the rooms is distinctive and has its own character. You will find them warm and cosy with amenities such as a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee maker and free Wi-Fi.
There are not elevators at this property so if you require a ground level room, please be sure to inform us.
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Event Information
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Enter the 2023 Loch Ness Marathon with Marathon Tours & Travel
2023 on sale soon, join our waitlist for more information.
One of the most stunning marathons in the world, the Loch Ness marathon is without a doubt, a bucket list event. Expect epic scenery, an atmosphere like no other, flawless organisation and fun in the Highlands of bonnie Scotland. Our specially created package takes care of you, join the pre-race dinner, post-race celebrations and pick your distance; Marathon, 10K or 5K.
The Course
The Scottish city of Inverness is our base for this fabulous festival of running. Home to stunning scenery; take a stroll along the Ness Islands or search for the mysterious Loch Ness Monster! Known affectionately as Nessie, a creature that according to Scottish folklore lives in Loch Ness. Are you a fan of the show Outlander? Did you know many of the scenes were filmed in Inverness? There’s so much to explore and do!
Start Time:
- Loch Ness Marathon 10:00 AM
- River Ness 5K 10:00 AM
- River Ness 10K 10:45 AM
Weather: Average temperatures range between 50F-60F.
Eligibility:
- Loch Ness Marathon – Ages 18 years or over
- River Ness 10K – Ages 18 years or over
- River Ness 5K – All ages welcome
Awards: Every runner receives a commemorative finisher’s medal, finisher’s technical t-shirt, goody bag, electronic timing (except for the 5K), complimentary post-race food, transport to the start of the Marathon and a fantastic festival at the Finish.
Difficulty: Moderate. The start area offers no protection from the Highlands weather and will require additional layers of clothing to stay warm while you wait.
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