A marathon I was looking forward to and I was not disappointed. Hill training definitely paid off especially for the dreaded hill at about mile 17. Scenery was spectacular and Loch Ness has that 'magic' about it. Inverness was very friendly and lots to do. Overall experience was fantastic and I will do this race at least once again. You will have fun with this race. The organizers should be proud of this race. It is better than many of the bigger races!

Even though it was pouring with rain, I enjoyed the run. There were free hot drinks at the start line and we were well looked after at the end with mushroom soup, and baked potatoes with a choice of filling. Lovely atmosphere and enjoyed the bands. A lot of thought has gone into the t-shirt design, which I will treasure. I would recommend this to anyone disappointed that they have not gotten into the London Marathon. A challenging course and lots of space to run without having to weave around people. I could have done with a space blanket at the end because I was quite chilled with the heavy rain, but lots of space in the marquees to keep warm. Well done to the Highlands.

After awful weather the day before the race, the weather greatly improved for the 2005 race. The start was in the middle of nowhere, but hot beverages there once you got off the bus. Nice little bagpipe band came over the hill and through the middle of the runners to start us off. Lovely countryside and very refreshing. A tough hill around mile 17-18. Cars came into play a bit near the end of the race. Good idea to have a taxi number on hand to get back if your B&B is on the other side of Inverness. Pretty good post-race food.

I ran this in its second year, and it was my first marathon (not my last!). The race starts in the middle of nowhere (near Fort Augustus), then runs right alongside the Loch (shame there's no time to stop and take it all in). At the pasta party on the Saturday, we were warned that there would be hills, but no one mentioned the huge one at about mile 17 - a few people slowed down there. Full marks for the bemused locals who came out to watch/cheer us on, and the last 2.6 miles to the finish in the athletics stadium were very emotional for me...

Good course but hard work in the second half. Dry, sunny day, although would have been warmer if the trees alongside the road were cut down. Also would have better views of Loch Ness.
Well run event, well marshalled, food and goody bags at end and a medal.
Can enter online as all good events should.

This was only my second marathon, so I don't have a lot to compare to, but I thought this one was very well run. Amazingly, all 600 or so runners were transported nearly 30 miles to the start without a hitch! The course is beautiful, but tough. The first 4 miles are downhill, though not steep, and the next 4 miles are slightly rolling downhill. After that, it was nearly flat until a 2-mile incline between miles 17 and 19. Slightly rolling again after that to the end. From what I heard, everyone had a very good first half time, but the second half...that was another story!

This was the first time the race has been held. Hopefully it will be the first of many.
Buses picked us up in Inverness at 7.40 am and took us to the start point 26 miles up the side of Loch Ness. We started the race at 10am - in the middle of the Scottish highlands; heather, lochs, bagpipes playing - what could be better!
Weather was superb - cool + cloudy for most of the way and no wind.
The course is not easy to get to for spectators. However, those who managed to find their way to a vantage point were especially friendly and encouraging.
We finished in the Inverness athletics stadium (doing a lap of the track - just like the olympics!); afterwhich there was a terrific choice of food and drinks, massages, etc available.
This is far from an easy marathon course in view of the many hills - but very well worth while.
Thanks to all the event organisers and helpers for doing such a great job.

This was my first attempt at a marathon i finished, that was great.
I'll be doing it again next year, &, bringing several first timers with me,(this time l will do some training rather than just turning up for a bet)
But seriously guys, do somthing about that mountain at Foyes & it's smaller brother just after Dores.
Congratulations to all involved in the organization you were FANTASTIC.
Regards to you all Mike Getchell (Marie Curie)