- Sun 27 Sep 2026
10:00
Age 18 & over
£70
- 26.2 miles road running + 350 m ascent
Event overview
The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon is one of the world's most breathtaking marathons and is an impressive platform for charity marathon runners to showcase their 26.2 miles to their sponsors and supporters.
World's most famous loch
Runners take on the challenge for many reasons: to achieve their own personal goals, to run one of the UK’s most popular marathons, and to raise money for good causes.
Why not make this the year you join them, and make your marathon miles count for good too?
Run for charity
For over 20 years, brave runners have been taking on the challenge of running from one end of the famous loch to the other, achieving the golden marathon distance as they go, and raising thousands of pounds for important causes as part of the challenge.
What are charity places?
Charities buy places in this event, then give them to runners who agree to raise money for the charity – these are called charity places. Charity places are a great way to support a good cause and get a place in the event, especially if general entries are closed.
Benefits of running for charity
Committing to raising money for charity not only guarantees you a place in the Loch Ness Marathon but gives you motivation to get outside and run, plus many more perks - see the Fundraising section.
Marathon running and charity fundraising go hand-in-hand - which charity will you fundraise for?
Prefer to enter directly? General entry options are explained on the Loch Ness Marathon page.
Event photos
Event video
Charity places
The charities below have places in the event. To secure your charity place, simply find a charity and click 'Get charity place'. To join a charity team with your own place, click 'Join with own place'.
What is 'Quick book'? Save time and secure your place immediately using our simple booking system.
- All fitness levels
- Event expo
- Event village
- Families
- Fancy dress
- Newcomers
- Spectators
- Teams
- Traders at event
Provisional timetable
Saturday
Sunday
10K Corporate Challenge
The Corporate Challenge is a fun team-building opportunity:
- Open to all sectors of business and industry in the public and private sector
- Teams must contain a minimum of 4 runners and a maximum of 6 runners; incomplete teams cannot be accepted
- Times of the fastest four combine to make the team’s final score
- Prizes are awarded according to the accumulated results of the fastest four runners in each team
- Companies are welcome to enter more than one team
- All entries must be from bona fide employees of the company; an employee cannot be entered into more than one team
- Each team must nominate a team captain who will be responsible for entering their team online
Rally your work mates and sign up today!
- Bone conducting headphones only
- Cut off time
- Distance markers
- First aid
- Food stations
- Marshals
- No headphones
- PB
- Point to point
- Return transport
- Toilets
- Traffic free
- Undulating
- Water stations
- GPX available
GPX route
The route is displayed on the map above.
Overview
The Loch Ness Marathon follows a spectacular point-to-point route alongside world-famous Loch Ness, starting in an atmospheric moorland setting and continuing through stunning Highland scenery, taking you along the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness, across the River Ness, to finish in Inverness, capital city of the Highlands.
Map
Cut off
7 hours.
The Loch Ness Marathon is a running event and all runners are welcome. The aim is to support every participant, whatever their pace, from start to finish and provide the best possible experience.
The Marathon starts at 10.00 and the race cut-off time is 7 hours at 17.00. In the interests of safety and to minimise the disruption to the local community and residents, roads along the final 3 miles in Inverness start to re-open from 16.30 and the finish line and Event Village start to be dismantled from 17.00. If you think that you will take longer than 6hr 30min, you are asked to use the pavement through Inverness. Participants still on the course after the cut-off time continue at their own risk.
Water/feed stations
Being well hydrated and drinking little and often is essential for achieving your best performance. There are seven water stations along the marathon course, water will be provided in 330ml recyclable plastic bottles with sports caps. There will be four gel stations along the marathon route providing High5 Energy Gels.
- Bag transfer
- Bar
- Cafe
- Changing facilities
- Entertainment
- Music
- Paid parking
- Park
- Rural
- Secure bag storage
- Showers
- Toilets
- Urban
Event HQ
Bught Park
Bught Road
Inverness
Highland
IV3 5SQ
UK
Make a weekend of it
Why not make a Highland weekend of it and come with family or friends? There’s plenty to entertain runners and spectators over the weekend with a free Sports Expo, Baxters Food and Drink Fayre, live music, kids’ activities and a Wee Nessie for under-5s.
Parking
There is no parking at Bught Park.
Saturday
Public car parks include:
- Highland Council HQ Car Park, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX
- Cathedral Car Park, Ness Walk, Inverness, IV3 5NN
- Old Town Rose Street Multi- Storey, Farraline Park, Inverness, IV1 1NH
- Eastgate Centre Multi-Storey Car Park, 11 Eastgate, Inverness IV2 3PP
- Torvean Car Park, IV3 8JL accessed from roundabout opposite Premier Inn, Glenurquhart Road
Sunday
Public car parks include:
- Highland Council HQ Car Park, IV3 5NX (10min walk to marathon bus pick up point)
- Torvean Car Park, IV3 8JL accessed from roundabout opposite Premier Inn, Glenurquhart Road (5 min walk to marathon bus pick up point)
5 stars doesn't even come close to how good Loch Ness Marathon is! Loved by all and a jewel in the crown of Scottish road running. I would recommend it to all.
Loch Ness vs London. There is no contest. I know I would rather take the scenic route.
First time 10K run. Loved every minute and can’t wait for next year’s race. Scott S
My first Loch Ness marathon and I absolutely loved it. From the expo to the marshalls, the medal to the soup, it was all fantastic. I’ve completed 24 marathons now and this one has got to be up there at the top for me. Even with all of the upward flats! Just beautiful. Katie K
The organisation was well done as always. Getting all the runners in their estimated time lineup at start was clear for all. Course was great with amazing volunteers (support staff) around the course cheering us all on. Once again fantastic volunteers (support staff at the finish. Easy to filter through at the end. Everyone as always so helpful and friendly. Already on my race calendar for 2026. Ailsa R
First ever marathon! Really well organised event with impressive logistics to get everyone to the start. Great atmosphere and as for the scenery… it speaks for itself. Already booked 2026 as my second and looking forward to everything bar that hill…😬 Gareth W
Participated for my first 10K event - from the lead up to the event, to organisation pre and post run, everything was planned meticulously. Support through was exceptional and a hugely successful event for participants and spectators - I will be back! Audrey A
From start to finish, I really enjoyed the marathon experience. When things were getting tough after mile 19 🥵 I was encouraged along by one of the cycling volunteers. She rode alongside me for at least 2 miles, keeping me going and telling me I could do it. And I did 😊 I wouldn’t change a thing, everyone was so helpful and pleasant. Francis M
This is a great race. Highly recommended. George D
Such a wonderfully inclusive event. The care taken of all runners is fantastic. Absolute well oiled logistically spectacular machine! Pet C
My third Loch Ness Marathon. Just cannot fault it. The way the locals support this event makes it what it is. Superb. An iconic event that is something you will never forget. Robert N
Reviews thanks to RaceCheck
- Certificate
- Chip timing
- Goody bag
- Massage
- Medal
- Post-race meal
- Technical t-shirt
Included
- Finisher's technical t-shirt
- Finisher's medal
- Goody bag
- Post-race food
- Electronic timing
- Downloadable finisher's certificate
- Water stations along the route
- Coach transport to marathon start
- Baggage transfer from start to finish
- Fantastic festival at the finish
Optional extras
- Massage - Saturday and Sunday
- Sustainability policy
This event is committed to being as sustainable as possible and minimising its environmental impact. There are many ways the event eliminates waste and reduces its environmental impact as outlined in the sustainability policy.