Faster Marathon Times From New Finish Line

21 APR2010

This year's Baxters Loch Ness Marathon will have its finish line in a new position, offering runners the potential to achieve faster times than ever before. Organisers have moved the event finish line closer to the city centre, with runners crossing the line adjacent to the River Ness at Bught Park, Inverness. The new line will be located in a finish 'arena', giving improved facilities and a better experience to both participants and spectators of the Festival of Running on Sunday October 3 2010.

A tented Festival village will be created around the finish line in Bught Park. As well as runner facilities, it will provide the focus for the Festival, including an exciting programme of live entertainment and activities for all to welcome both local runners and those travelling to the Highlands.
Although the finish line is the only major change to the course, a corresponding move in the start-line at Whitebridge on the south-side of Loch Ness will provide a faster start for the marathon, which is expected will generate faster times overall. A similar move in the start and finish lines for the Baxters River Ness 10K will also apply.

Event & Race Director, Malcolm Sutherland, said: "This new location for the finish line and Festival Village will provide additional space for the event, and therefore greater flexibility for developing participant and spectator facilities. As well as offering an enhanced experience on the day, we expect the new start line for the marathon to give a faster course, encouraging both local runners and those travelling to the Highlands for the event with the opportunity to achieve a faster time! With the popularity of the event continuing to grow, Bught Park offers a great location for us to accommodate the increased number of runners and participants on the day."

Runners are reminded that guaranteed entries for the 2010 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon must be submitted by midnight on 1 May 2010. There are marathon places available for charity, club and overseas runners until 13 September, as well as places in the Baxters River Ness 10K, the 10K Corporate Challenge and the Baxters River Ness 5K Fun Run.

Over 7800 people, including former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq, entered the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running in 2009. The removal of the ballot system continues to prove popular with runners, and organisers expect a further increase in entries for the event on 3 October 2010.

To enter now, or for more information, runners should visit www.lochnessmarathon.com.