River Ness 5K
Sun 28 Sep 2025 Inverness, Highland, UK

River Ness 5K

This welcoming 5K for runners of all abilities follows a flat route by the scenic River Ness, as part of the awe-inspiring Loch Ness Marathon festival weekend.

Enter now
  • Sun 28 Sep 2025
Bught Park, Inverness

River Ness 5K

09:30

Age 1 & over

£12.50-£16.50

  • 5 km road running

Event overview

The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running is a spectacular event with one of the world's most breathtaking marathons at its heart. 

Set against the stunning backdrop of Loch Ness, this marathon is not only about the race but also about the experience, making it a must-visit for running enthusiasts. Voted among the top 10 UK marathons by Runner's World readers, it combines picturesque scenery with a vibrant atmosphere, drawing runners from around the world.

Breathtakingly beautiful, friendly atmosphere, flawless organisation, felt like a festival not just a race.

Participants can choose from various distances to suit their preferences and abilities:

Festival highlights

  • Baxters Loch Ness Marathon

    Point to point from one end of the loch to the other, finishing in the capital of the Highlands - Inverness.

  • The Baxters River Ness 10K

    Offers a flat, scenic route through Inverness, ideal for those aiming for personal bests.

  • Corporate Challenge

    If you prefer a team approach to sport, then this 10K for teams of 4-6 could be the ideal race for you.

  • Baxters River Ness 5K

    For newcomers or those seeking a shorter distance, the Baxters River Ness 5K is open to all ages and abilities, including wheelchair entrants, finishing alongside other events at Bught Park.

  • Wee Nessie

    Families can engage in the fun with the Wee Nessie, a race designed for kids aged 5 and under, ensuring that everyone can be part of this exciting festival.

Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon promises a memorable experience filled with camaraderie and the beauty of the Highlands.

This event is part of Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running.

  • All fitness levels
  • Buggy friendly
  • Event expo
  • Event village
  • Families
  • Fancy dress
  • Newcomers
  • Spectators
  • Teams
  • Traders at event

Timetable

Saturday

  • 10:00-18:00 | Pre-race registration at Event Village, Bught Park, Inverness IV3 5SQ (Wee Nessie, 5K, 10K and marathon)

Sunday

  • 07:30-09:00 | Pre-race registration at Event Village, Bught Park, Inverness IV3 5SQ (5K and Wee Nessie only)
  • 08:30-10:00 | Pre-race registration at Event Village, Bught Park, Inverness IV3 5SQ (10K only)

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!

  • Bag storage
  • Bag transfer
  • Bar
  • Cafe
  • Changing facilities
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Paid parking
  • Park
  • Rural
  • 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)

  • First aid
  • Flat
  • Marshals
  • No headphones
  • Out and back
  • Traffic free
  • GPX available

GPX route

The route is displayed on the map above.

Overview

If you’re new to running or looking for a shorter distance, the popular Baxters River Ness 5K could be the race for you. Open to runners of all ages and abilities including wheelchair entrants, the 5K follows a flat route by scenic River Ness to finish alongside other races at Bught Park, Inverness.

Whatever your running ability, fitness level, age or experience, if you enter the Baxters River Ness 5K, we guarantee you’ll cross the finish line with a smile on your face!

Map

map

  • 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.

  • Goody bag
  • Medal
  • Post-race meal
  • Technical t-shirt

Included

  • Finisher's technical t-shirt
  • Finisher's medal
  • Goody bag
  • Post-race soup and roll
  • Water at the finish
  • Fantastic festival at the finish

  • Age 1 & over
  • Entries open
  • Collect race pack
  • Enter on day

Entries 'on the day'

A limited number of race weekend entries for the River Ness 5K are available during registration on Saturday 10.00-18.00 and Sunday 08.00-09.30, subject to race capacity, however you are advised to enter online in advance if possible.

Age

The River Ness 5K is open to all ages. All children aged 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Buggies

Buggies are allowed on the 5K course, and you will be required to complete separate entries for yourself and your child. This is for safety reasons so that there's a record of everyone who is out on the course, and to allow us to provide t-shirts and medals for everyone that takes part. Runners/walkers with buggies are required to start at the back of the field for safety reasons.

Teams

All schools, youth clubs/organisations and disability groups are eligible to enter teams into the 5K and receive reduced entry fees of £10 for each participant. The minimum number of team members is 4.

Entry fees

Team entry fee

£12.50

Entry fee

£16.50

Enter now

image

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.

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck

Other races at event

  • Sun 28 Sep
  • #1 of 0
Bught Park, Inverness

Loch Ness Marathon

10:00

Age 18 & over

£72-£74

  • 26.2 miles road running + 350 m ascent
  • Sun 28 Sep
  • #2 of 0
Inverness Royal Academy, Inverness > Bught Park, Inverness

River Ness 10K and Corporate Challenge

10:30

Age 15 & over

£33-£140

  • 10.15 km road running + 47 m ascent
  • Sun 28 Sep
  • #4 of 0
Bught Park, Inverness

Wee Nessie

09:45

Age up to 5

£6

  • 800 m road running