Course Map
Route based on 2025 course — may differ slightly from this year.
About this Race
The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon is a spectacular point-to-point race in the Scottish Highlands, starting high on the remote moors and running down along the wild shores of legendary Loch Ness toward the finish in Inverness. The course has a generally favorable downhill tendency interrupted by genuine Highland hills that test the legs. Held in October, it offers cool, often dramatic Highland weather and breathtaking loch-side scenery. The wild landscape defines the day. It suits runners who want a stunning, atmospheric Scottish race and don't mind the rolling Highland terrain over a flat-out fast time.
Course Insight
Loch Ness is a scenic October point-to-point along the legendary lochside, rolling Highland terrain with a notable climb to break the rhythm and the chance of wind and rain. Pace the hills by effort and save your legs for the late rise. The loch and Highland scenery are spectacular. Cool, changeable weather suits racing. Run the rollers with restraint and the course stays an ally to the finish.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to significant climbing (298m), tough late hills.
Course Details
- Course type
- Point-To-Point
- Elevation gain
- 298m
- Elevation loss
- 596m
- Highest point
- 305m
- Lowest point
- 7m
- Net elevation
- -298m
- Start
- Point-to-point between Whitebridge and Fort Augustus on the south side of Loch Ness, finishing in Inverness.
- Cutoff time
- 7h 0m
Race History
The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon was first held in 2002, a spectacular Scottish Highland point-to-point starting on remote moors and running down along the wild shores of legendary Loch Ness to Inverness. Its favorable downhill tendency, interrupted by genuine Highland hills, and dramatic scenery defined it. From its founding it grew into a beloved Highland event. Held each October, it draws a field to the storied loch.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Inverness (INV), Aberdeen (ABZ) & Edinburgh (EDI)
- Best area to stay
- Inverness city centre for proximity to the finish and full hotels, Fort Augustus for proximity to the lochside start, and Drumnadrochit for scenic stays on the course.
- Getting to the start
- It's point-to-point along the loch; board the official buses from Inverness out to the remote start near Fort Augustus in the early morning.