A record 11,100 runners from 45 countries descended on Inverness for the 2026 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running, with local Olympian Megan Keith producing one of the performances of the weekend.
The sell out event on Sunday brought thousands of runners, families and supporters to the shores of Loch Ness and Bught Park for the marathon, River Ness 10K, River Ness 5K and Wee Nessie.
Around 6,000 runners tackled the 26.2 mile Loch Ness Marathon, while another 3,000 lined up for the River Ness 10K.
Inverness athlete Megan Keith gave the home crowd something special to celebrate as the Olympian and Commonwealth bronze medallist won the women’s 10K in a new course record of 31 minutes and 24 seconds.
Keith, representing Inverness Harriers AAC, finished almost five minutes ahead of clubmate Charlotte Rose Burton, who took second in 36:17, with Helen Leigh completing an Inverness Harriers clean sweep of the women’s podium in 36:30.
Logan Rees of Fife AC won the men’s 10K in 28:52, eight seconds ahead of Max Abernethy of Aberdeen AAC, with Angus Smith of Corstorphine AAC third in 29:29.
The marathon title went to William Strangeway of Lincoln Wellington Athletic Club, who completed the course in 2:20:16.
East Sutherland AC’s Shaun Cumming was second in 2:21:10, with Dundee Roadrunners’ David Webster third in 2:28:21.
Hazel Wyness of Metro Aberdeen RC won the women’s marathon in 2:52:05, narrowly ahead of Briony Cornish in 2:52:54, while Rosie Thorogood of Oxford University AC finished third in 2:53:59.
The River Ness 5K was won by Joe Murray of Aberdeen AAC in 16:13, while Millie Glass Park, also of Aberdeen AAC, was the first female finisher in 16:30.
Young runners were a major part of the weekend, with 26% of those taking part in the 5K registering through local schools and youth clubs and another 300 youngsters tackling the Wee Nessie course at Bught Park.
The event also continued to draw runners well beyond the Highlands, with organisers reporting that 58% of participants travelled from outside Scotland.
Malcolm Sutherland, CEO at organisers Caledonian Concepts, said:
“What a phenomenal weekend we have experienced here in the Highlands.
“To welcome a record 11,100 runners from right across the globe to Inverness is something truly special.
“The atmosphere along the shores of Loch Ness and at Bught Park was unforgettable, driven by the determination of our runners and the brilliant spirit of our supporters and incredible volunteers.
“Every year this event highlights the very best of community and sport, and I am enormously proud of everyone who helped make 2026 our biggest and best year yet.”
Audrey Baxter, Executive Chairman and Group CEO of Baxters, said:
“Huge congratulations to all of the runners, including members of the Baxters team, who participated in this year’s event and, in the spirit of our ethos, challenged themselves to ‘be different, be better’.
“Alongside those who travelled from far and wide to take part, it’s wonderful that so many young people from the local community took the opportunity to experience the event for themselves.
“Well done everyone!”
Bught Park provided the finishing point and festival hub, with live music, pipes and drums, local food, bars and family entertainment welcoming runners and spectators throughout a record breaking weekend for one of the Highlands’ biggest sporting events.
Early bird entry for the 2027 Loch Ness Marathon, 10K and 5K, taking place on Sunday 26th September 2027 available by clicking here
