Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running.
The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon starts where hardly any marathon does: on lonely moorland high above the southern shore of Loch Ness, at over 300 metres, reachable only by bus from Inverness. From there you run point-to-point along the legendary loch into the Highland capital – a net drop of almost 300 metres, but with a climb at kilometre 30 that decides the race.
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The course, elevation and route profile are from the most recent edition.
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Race day starts early: around half past seven the buses roll out of Inverness for an hour up the B862 before dropping you on the moor between Fort Augustus and Foyers – a pipe band sends the field on its way. Over the first 15 kilometres you lose height almost continuously, from over 300 down to below 30 metres, interrupted only by a short counter-climb at kilometre 8 that touches ten percent. The road rolls through heather and forest, often without a single spectator in sight.
From about kilometre 15 you run close to the water: long, rolling shoreline miles along the south-eastern shore of Loch Ness, looking out over the dark water where, as the legend goes, Nessie lives. Beyond the village of Dores at kilometre 28 the course leaves the loch – and puts its defining test in your way: between kilometres 29 and 31.5 the road climbs about 70 metres in two steps, exactly where marathon legs are at their most fragile.
Over the top, one last rise at kilometre 35 gives way to the descent into Inverness. The closing kilometres run flat along the River Ness, across the bridge to the west bank and into the finish at the Event Village in Bught Park, where the Festival of Running gathers over 8,000 participants across all races. Since the inaugural 2002 edition with barely 600 runners, this has grown into one of Britain's most atmospheric marathon weekends.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 7.9 | 0.5 km | 7.5 % | 10.6 % | +39 m | — |
| km 30.1 | 0.6 km | 5.3 % | 7.4 % | +32 m | — |
| km 31 | 0.5 km | 3.1 % | 4.2 % | +15 m | — |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Baxters Loch Ness Marathon.
Start under control
This course sets its biggest trap in the first third: 15 kilometres of almost unbroken descent invite splits you have not earned. Run the drop under control with a short stride – every minute gained too fast here is paid back double by your quads when it matters later. The short kick at kilometre 8 is a wake-up call, not an invitation to attack.
Hold your rhythm
Along the loch between kilometres 15 and 28 the race belongs to your rhythm: even effort over the rollers, not even splits. The decision comes on the climb beyond Dores – around 70 metres of gain between kilometres 29 and 31.5, touching seven percent. Arrive with reserves and you will pass people by the minute over the last ten kilometres; overcook the early descent and this is where you walk.
Spend what is left
Budget for the Highlands themselves, too: weather at the loch can turn within minutes, and on the exposed shoreline stretches wind can slow you noticeably. After the rise at kilometre 35 the road runs down to Inverness – manage the flat closing kilometres along the River Ness so you can race them rather than survive them.
Training plan for Baxters Loch Ness Marathon: 12-week build
Build the base
For most age-group runners this marathon means 3:30 to 5:30 hours of running; the seven-hour cut-off leaves room for steadier runners too. The effort is aerobic throughout but far from monotonous: a long descent, rolling shoreline miles and a late climb demand pacing that works with the profile.
Train race pace
The most important building block is controlled downhill running. The first 15 kilometres lose almost 300 metres – build brisk descents into your long runs regularly so your quads know the eccentric load before they have to carry it for 42 kilometres. Prepare the Dores climb just as deliberately: hill work at the end of long sessions and progressive long runs whose hardest segment comes late reproduce exactly the situation at kilometre 30.
Rehearse the course
Then there is Highland weather in late September: at the moorland start at 300 metres it can be bitingly cold, wet and windy, milder down at the loch – train in wind and rain, test throwaway layers for the wait at the start, and decide before race day what you will actually wear. The logistics deserve a rehearsal too: an early alarm, an hour on the bus, breakfast and fluids with a long lead time – run through that routine once before your longest training run.
Arrive fresh
Finally, fuel to a plan rather than by feel: seven water and four gel stations are provided – practise drinking and taking gels in training at the rhythm you intend to race at.
Courses
Download the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running dynamically
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Everything about Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running.
How long is Baxters Loch Ness Marathon?
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon is 42.2 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Baxters Loch Ness Marathon have?
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon has around 300 m of elevation gain over 42.2 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Baxters Loch Ness Marathon?
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon is classified as Flat, averaging 7.1 vertical metres per kilometre. 42% of the route is flat, 17% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 1% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Baxters Loch Ness Marathon have?
The hardest climb of Baxters Loch Ness Marathon starts at kilometre 7.9, runs for 0.5 km at an average of 7.5% and gains 39 metres. 3 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Baxters Loch Ness Marathon a loop course?
No, Baxters Loch Ness Marathon is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon course?
Yes. The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Baxters Loch Ness Marathon?
Preparation for Baxters Loch Ness Marathon should account for 42.2 km, 300 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Baxters Loch Ness Marathon?
The pacing strategy for Baxters Loch Ness Marathon should reflect 42.2 km, 300 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running next take place?
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The most recent one was held on September 27, 2026.
Where does Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running take place?
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running takes place in Inverness, United Kingdom.
Which distances does Baxters Loch Ness Marathon offer?
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon offers 3 distances — Marathon: 42.2 km; River Ness 10K: 10 km; River Ness 5K: 5 km.
How do I register for Baxters Loch Ness Marathon?
Registration runs through the organiser: lochnessmarathon.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
