RAIN didn’t dampen enthusiasm of more than 8,300 runners from 45 countries in Sunday’s 10th Baxter’s Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running in Inverness.
Tomas Abyu, of Salford Harriers, won the marathon in a time of 2 hours 20 minutes and 50 seconds.
It is Abyu’s third win in as many visits to Loch Ness. Runner-up was Ross Houston of Central AC (2:21:05) (who also won the men’s Scottish Marathon Championships) and in third place was Chris Wilson, of Ron Hill Cambuslang Harriers (2:25:15).
Lisa Finlay, of Dumfries Running Club, won the women’s marathon in a personal best of 2 hours 59 minutes and 14 seconds. Crossing the finish line in second place was Carole Setchell, of Shettleston Harriers, clipping almost 15 minutes off her personal best with a time of 3:02:56. Third was Gail Murdoch of Carnegie Harriers (3:09:37).
Winner Abyu said: “The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon is a good fast course, and it’s such a beautiful area. I had a very good run in the second half of the course – Ross Houston, second in the marathon, was pushing the pace, but I felt very comfortable. This is my third time running the event and the weather is always great for the event, and a perfect temperature for running.”
Female winner, Lisa Finlay, of Dumfries Running Club, said: “There were a lot of good runners taking part today, making for stiff competition. I ran my own race, sticking to my plan and was delighted to win, and even knocked a few seconds of my PB! I enjoyed my run - its a lovely course and the spectators along the route were really warm and supportive.”
In the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon’s 10th anniversary year, Erica Christie, one of 10 runners completing the course for the 10th time, was eighth female across the finish line.
Double celebrations are in order for marathon runners Scott McKenzie and Sarah Mearns, both of Glasgow and raising money in support of Multiple Sclerosis Society. Scott proposed to Sarah on the finish line of the event.
Winner of the Baxters River Ness 10K was Kyle Greig of Forres Harriers with a time of 32:55. Second was Keith Hood of Corstorphine AAC with a time of 33:11, and third was Graeme Campbell of Stirling (34:10).
First woman home in the River Ness 10K was Inverness Harriers’ Melissa Whyte with a time of 35 minutes and 45 seconds. Second was Sarah Styles, of Metro Aberdeen Running Club (39:18), and third was Vivienne Bruce of Aberdeen (39:33).
The fastest team home in the HSBC 10K Corporate Challenge was Rowantree Randoms of University of Aberdeen in a cumulative time of 3:01:37.
The Scottish Marathon Championships were won by Ross Houston, Central AC, for the male category and by Lisa Finlay of Dumfries Running Club for the female category. The male team champions were Ronhill Cambuslang Harriers and the female champions were the Carnegie Harriers.
The Gore Running Wear Runners Club Award (for the fastest running club member) was awarded to Abyu.
The HSPC Gerald Cooper Memorial Cup and a donation of £1,000 to the charity of their choice, awarded to the first person resident in the Highland area to cross the finish line in the marathon, was won by Harley Davidson, of Inverness.
The mild start to the day gave way to rain during the morning, but the skies were clearing as the winners crossed the finish line, leaving the event village bathed in sunshine for the prize-giving.
The Festival of Running welcomes participants of all ages and abilities to the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, River Ness 10K, HSBC 10k Corporate Challenge, River Ness 5k, and, for pre-school age children, the Wee Nessie.
Audrey Baxter, chairman of Baxters Food Group, said: “A huge congratulations to everyone who took part. I’m always so inspired by the dedication from the runners of all levels and the amount of money raised for various charities.”
Paul Bush, chief operating officer for Event Scotland, said: “Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon. Having 8,300 participants shows the passion and appetite for running not only in the North of Scotland, but across the country as many of the runners travelled to compete on the scenic course.”
Malcolm Sutherland, of Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running, said: “It has been wonderful to welcome runners and spectators both locally and from around the world to the Highlands to experience for themselves one of the most friendly and scenic marathons in the world. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Inverness again in the future.”
Runners participating in last year’s event generated over £780,000 for charity, and brought economic benefit just over £2million to the local area.
In this year of Active Scotland, the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running offered a great opportunity for people of all ages to take part in a running event.
All Festival events finished in a spectacular location in the Bught Park, beside the River Ness and close to the city centre. Here, supporters, families and friends enjoyed a fantastic entertainment including: live music by popular bands Hoodja and the Elgin & District Pipe Band ; delicious food from Highland producers at the Baxters Food and Drink Fayre; live demonstrations by chef Darren Sivewright in the ‘Baxters Kitchen’; Super Jumpers, a thrilling reverse bungee experience; WOW balls, inflatable balls which allow participants to walk on water. a climbing wall, a sports expo with sales of specialist sports clothing; and a charity expo by some of the nominated causes for the event.
See www.lochnessmarathon.com for more information.
