Wee Nessie
Sun 28 Sep 2025 Inverness, Highland, UK

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running | Wee Nessie

Have you got any ‘little monsters’ in your family who would enjoy their own piece of the action at the Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running?

Enter now
  • Sun 28 Sep 2025
Bught Park, Inverness

Wee Nessie

09:45

Age up to 5

£6

  • 800 m 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)

  • 1 lap
  • First aid
  • Flat
  • Marshals
  • No cut off time
  • No headphones
  • Toilets
  • Traffic free
  • Way markers

Open to pre-school children aged 5 and under, the Wee Nessie follows a short (approx 800 metres), circular route in the enclosed Bught Park.  It allows children to walk, jog or run at their own pace and provides the perfect introduction to the sport.

You just have to witness the joy and pride on little faces to see how delighted they are to be involved!  And who knows…perhaps we’ll see the early signs of some future running stars in the making!

  • 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.

  • Medal
  • T-shirt

Included

  • Finisher's medal
  • Quality t-shirt
  • Post-race water and fruit
  • Fantastic festival at the finish

  • Age up to 5
  • Entries open
  • Collect race pack
  • Enter on day
  • Enter online

The Wee Nessie is for pre-school children aged 5 and under on the day of the race.

There are limited entries available over race weekend, but this depends on capacity. Enter online beforehand to avoid disappointment.

Entry fees

Junior entry fee

£6.00

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
  • #3 of 0
Bught Park, Inverness

River Ness 5K

09:30

Age 1 & over

£12.50-£16.50

  • 5 km road running