RECORD ENTRIES FOR BAXTERS LOCH NESS MARATHON & FESTIVAL OF RUNNING 2008

A record number of 5,851 entries have been received for the 2008 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running, which takes place on Sunday (5 October). Over 5,850 runners will take part in this weekend’s festival: 2,285 in the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, 2,494 in the Baxters River Ness 10K, 252 in the Healthy Working Lives 10K Corporate Challenge and 820 in the Baxters River Ness 5K Fun Run.

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: included within the above events, over 50 teams have entered the Healthy Working Lives 10K Corporate Challenge and 260 youth groups, schools and other clubs from the Highlands have registered for the Baxters River Ness 5K through the special reduced entry scheme.

Both the marathon and 10K promise to be exciting races this year. Tanzanian Banuelia Katesigwa (PB: 2:26) returns to defend the women’s title from last year’s Loch Ness Marathon, with Scot Roz Alexander of Carnegie Harriers (PB: 2.42, winner of 2008 Iceland Marathon) and Julia Myatt (PB: 2:50 2005 Loch Ness Marathon winner) both contenders for the 2008 title.

The Baxters River Ness 10K has attracted a truly international field this year and there is a possibility of a new course record with Eritrean Amanual Hagus of Shettleston Harriers, winner of Scottish 10K track title in July, and Ezekiel Cherop of Kenya (PB: 29.16) who has had successful wins this summer at the City of Manchester 10K and Worcester Pitchcroft 10K. In the women’s 10K, Joyce Kandia of Kenya (PB: 33:34) looks likely to be among the front runners.

Malcolm Sutherland of Baxters Loch Ness Marathon said: “The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running is already the largest participatory sporting event in the north of Scotland and we are delighted to see a rise in the number of entries this year – encouraging more people to take part in an event like this is one way to promote healthier lifestyles. The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon course must be one of the most scenic in the UK and we have people travelling here from around the world to compete in the event – over 45% of our Marathon competitors are from outwith Scotland. In fact, the whole Festival brings in over £1,357,000 to the local economy.”

Malcolm continued: “It’s a great day out for runners and spectators with entertainment from The Brock Inspectors, East Ross Schools Pipe Band, children's activities including a bouncy castle, a football shoot out and face painting, and quality Highland produce such as Baxters soup, hog roast, stovies, porridge, and the famous ‘smoothie cycle’. There is going to be a fantastic atmosphere in the finish arena at the Queens Park Stadium – come along and cheer on the runners at the finishing line!”

Baxters Food Group has been title sponsor for the Loch Ness Marathon since the inaugural event in 2002. Kerr Arthur, UK marketing director Baxters, said: “We’re proud to have supported the marathon since its start and to have seen it develop into one of Scotland’s largest annual sporting events. Many runners enjoy our Healthy Choice soup because it contains a good amount of protein, important for refuelling the body – and they taste great. The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running is a great day out for everyone involved and we wish all runners the best of luck.”

Steve Bell, Strategic Director of the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives, said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the first 10k Corporate Challenge and to be involved with the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running. There has been a great response from organisations across Scotland to the Challenge, including a number of teams from the 920 organisations which have already signed up to the Healthy Working Lives Award Programme.  I hope that the Challenge will encourage other organisations to discover the benefits of a fit and healthy workforce by participating in the Programme."

Steve added: “I’d like to wish all the participating teams the best of luck before they’re put through their paces in the beautiful surroundings of Loch Ness.”

A warm Highland welcome awaits all spectators, including families and companions of runners, at Inverness’s Queens 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.

Many runners taking part in the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running are raising money for charity. A massive £436,150 was raised from last year’s event, 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 40 other associated national and Scottish charities.

For more details visit www.lochnessmarathon.com/charities.

Alison Bell