FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES TO THE BAXTERS LOCH NESS MARATHON & FESTIVAL OF RUNNING

With less than four weeks until race day, organisers of the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running have issued a reminder that entries for all events in the Festival must be received by Monday 15 September 2008.

The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running, the north of Scotland’s largest sporting event, offers opportunities for all ages and abilities to get involved through entering the Marathon, the Baxters River Ness 10K, the Healthy Working Lives 10K Corporate Challenge or the Baxters River Ness 5K Fun Run.

Malcolm Sutherland of Baxters Loch Ness Marathon said: “There’s still time to apply for a place in the Baxters River Ness 10K and Baxters River Ness 5K Fun Run if you’d like to take part. And if you missed out on a ballot place in the Marathon, its still possible to secure a club or charity place with one of our nominated charities, in what must be the most scenic route in the UK!  Its a great day out for runners and spectators – there’s a real carnival atmosphere in the finish arena at the Queen’s Park Stadium.”

Malcolm added: “This year sees the launch of the Healthy Working Lives 10K Corporate Challenge – get in touch with us now if you’d like to enter a team of four to six people from your workplace to enter for the challenge. There’s also a special offer for schools, youth clubs and disability groups who would like to enter the River Ness 5K Fun Run. Anyone interested in entering either of these special events should contact us as soon as possible or to visit our website for more information.”

A warm Highland welcome awaits all spectators, including families and companions of runners, at Inverness’s Queen’s Park Stadium where a fantastic programme of entertainment will be on offer, including children’s activities, food and retail stalls, live music and pipe bands and much more.

Some of the runners taking part in the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon this year are helping to raise money for charity. A massive £436,150 was raised from last year’s Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running, benefiting hundreds of charities and communities across Scotland and the UK. Baxters Loch Ness Marathon has six nominated charities – Highland Hospice, Leonard Cheshire, Macmillan Cancer Support, Maggie’s Cancer Care Centres, Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Scottish Community Foundation – and runners can opt for one of them or choose from over 35 other associated national and Scottish charities. For more details visit www.lochnessmarathon.com/charities.

To apply for one of the places available in this year’s Baxters Loch Ness Marathon for charity runners, club runners and overseas runners, or for entry into the Baxters River Ness 10K, Healthy Working Lives 10K Corporate Challenge, or Baxters River Ness 5K Fun Run, visit www.lochnessmarathon.com or call the hotline on 0870 127 8000.

All entries must be received by midnight on Monday 15 September 2008.

Alison Bell