Loch Ness Earns Highlands £2 Million

21 JAN2011

The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running is estimated to have benefited the local economy to the tune of £2m and directly raised nearly £800,000 for charity in 2010. The big Highland event has become a fixture on the running calendar with 6,000 plus participants, many of them visitors to the area.

The runners taking part in the 2010 Festival and visiting the area with friends and supporters boosted the local economy by spending around on food, accommodation and associated activities. Meanwhile big-hearted runners raised the cash for a wide range of charities on a local, national and international level, helping organisations including the five nominated charities for the event - Alzheimer Scotland, Breast Cancer Care, Highland Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie Cancer Care - and over 35 associated charities.

Bill King, chief executive officer of Baxters, said: "We are delighted to support Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running, and encouraged to see the amount of cash raised for charity grow every year. Thank you to everyone who gave time and effort to contribute towards the superb total raised."

Valerie Weir, events manager at Alzheimer Scotland, said: "We're grateful to everyone who pulls on their trainers to make every step count for people with dementia and their families across Scotland. Without them, we could not provide Dementia Advisors in local communities, Dementia Nurses in hospitals and our 24 hour, freephone Dementia Helpline."

Entry is now open for the 2011 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, River Ness 10K, 10K Corporate Challenge and 5K Fun Run taking place on Sunday, October 2. Entry is guaranteed for all marathon runners until May 1 or sooner if race limit reached; charity and club runner places will be available after this date. Visit the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running website now to book your place..