Loch Ness Marathon

The Loch Ness Marathon follows a spectacular point-to-point route starting in an atmospheric moorland setting between Fort Augustus and Whitebridge. 

The route takes you through stunning Highland scenery for the first six miles until you reach the village of Foyers, where you are rewarded with your first views of Loch Ness. 

For the next 6-17 miles you follow the shores of Loch Ness. From around 17 miles, the course heads away from the loch and into open countryside with an uphill section for the next couple of miles. 

At mile 19, it levels off and you head into Inverness following a flat picturesque route alongside the River Ness into the heart of the city centre, over the Ness Bridge to finish at Bught Park.

FYI, the Loch Ness Marathon is a net downhill course - not many people realise that!

Stay well fuelled and hydrated with: 7 water stations (330ml recyclable bottles with sports caps) and 4 High5 gel stations. See the Strava map (above) for locations.

• Finisher’s technical T-shirt (optional)
• Finisher’s medal (optional)
• Event giveaway
• Timed results
• Water & High5 gel stations on course
• Coach transport to start
• Baggage transfer

All marathon participants are transported by coach to the marathon Start from Inverness Ice Centre on Bught Drive, Inverness IV3 5SR. This is a 10-minute walk from the Event Village.  Please arrive between 07.00-07.30. Buses depart from 07.30-07.50 and the journey takes around one hour. You do NOT need to pre-book the bus from Inverness. 

For those staying around Loch Ness, coaches will pick up from the following locations. Pre-booking is essential – please complete our form by 19 September to book your place. Please note return transport is not provided to these locations after the race.

North Loch Ness

• 08.15 Loch Ness Hub, Drumnadrochit, IV63 6TX (off A82)
• 08:40 Fort Augustus Village Car Park, PH32 4DF (off A82)

South Loch Ness

• 07.40 Dores (opposite Dores Inn, IV2 6TR)
• 07.55 Inverfarigaig – junction of Inverfarigaig Pass/B852
• 08.05 Lower Foyers junction with B852
• 08.10 Foyers Stores, Foyers IV2 6XU
• 08.25 Junction of B862 & B852
• 08.35 Whitebridge Hotel, Whitebridge IV2 6UN

There is strictly no spectator or vehicle access to the marathon start due to traffic restrictions and logistical and safety reasons. It is not possible for participants or spectators to make their own way to the marathon start.

Our 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, we ask you to use the pavement through Inverness. Participants still on the course after the cut-off time continue at their own risk.

For those participants who can no longer continue for physical or medical reasons, a sweep bus follows the rear of the field and will take you back to the Event Village in Inverness. Our team will be there to support you to the finish line.