Put your best foot forward for charity at the 10th anniversary Baxters Loch Ness Marathon

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon is appealing for runners to support good causes through its 10^th anniversary event taking place on 2 October this year. Charity places are available in one of the UK's most scenic events for runners supporting six nominated charities and over thirty associated charities.

 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon is appealing for runners to support good causes through its 10^th anniversary event taking place on 2 October this year. Charity places are available in one of the UK's most scenic events for runners supporting six nominated charities and over thirty associated charities.

Last year participants raised a massive £785,200 for charity through the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running, bringing added satisfaction to the reward of completing their chosen event. Nominated charities for 2011 include Alzheimer Scotland, Breast Cancer Care, Erskine, Highland Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Catherine Cowie, Erskine fundraiser, said: "The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running not only gives you the chance to undertake a personal challenge by putting your fitness to the test, but choosing to run for Team Erskine will raise money towards the care of veterans in Scotland.  We rely on the support of individuals in Scotland through events such as the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running to ensure that we can continue to care for our ex-Service men and women, as well as serving personnel. Please put your best foot forward for Erskine and help us continue to make a difference to the lives of even more veterans."

Valerie Weir of Alzheimer Scotland said: "Alzheimer Scotland rely heavily on fundraised income and you could help us make a difference by taking part in the 2011 Baxters Loch Ness Festival of Running on 2 October: whether you want to tackle the 5K, 10K, Corporate Challenge or full Marathon, there's a race for all abilities and a way for everyone to help raise funds to help the 82,500 people with dementia in Scotland."   

Malcolm Sutherland, event and race director of Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running, said: "On this 10^th anniversary of the Marathon, we are looking forward to welcoming charity runners to join the field of entrants for October's Festival. Although general entry for the Marathon is now closed, runners still have time to sign up for a charity place, secure in the knowledge that the effort they put into training and running the event on the day will help to benefit others. To be sure of a place, I'd advise everyone thinking of entering to do so as soon as possible."

Although general entry for the Marathon closed on 1 May, places remain open for charity, club and overseas runners. Entry is still open for other Festival options including the Baxters River Ness 10K, the Baxters River Ness 5K Fun Run and a team event, the HSBC 10K Corporate Challenge. The 10K Corporate Challenge is an opportunity for people who work together to build fitness – and fun! – into their daily routine as they train for the 10K. And for younger pre-school age children there is the Wee Nessie, to walk, run or toddle!

Malcolm Sutherland continued: "Supporters coming along to cheer charity runners will find a family-friendly event offering the excitement of watching runners from all events cross the finish line by the riverside in Bught Park, Inverness, together with lots of entertainment centred around the Festival tented village including live music with a Highland flavour, the Highland Food and Drink Fayre, charity and sports retailer expo and kids activities."

In this year of Active Scotland, the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running on Sunday 2 October 2011 is a fantastic opportunity for all ages and abilities to take part in a running event.

Visit www.lochnessmarathon.com now to find out more about all events.

 Alison Bell