Champions return as deadline looms
The closing time and date for the 2014 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon is midnight on Monday 8 September
Runners have only a few more days to sign up for what Scottish champion Megan Crawford (handicap 1.7) describes as one of the most beautiful marathon courses in the country. The Baxters Loch Ness marathon and festival of running takes place on Sunday 28th September and places are still available for Scottishathletics members, members of affiliated UK running clubs, overseas runners, and through official charity Macmillan Cancer Care and other affiliate charities – but only until midnighton Monday 8th September.
Crawford, a member of Fife AC, enjoyed a marathon debut to savour at Loch Ness last year when she set a new course record of 2hr 46min 37secs to win the women's title and the Scottish championship gold medal. Now the Great Britain mountain running international is looking forward to defending her crown at the end of the month.
She said: “I really enjoyed last year’s race. It is such a beautiful course and I’d say if you want to run a marathon, then this has to be one of the best places to do it. I doubt if you can get much better. I don’t have any specific target for this year although I hope to be in the mix at the front of the race again. It looks as though it will be a very competitive field, which is good.”
Men’s champion Tarus Elly (hanidcap MINUS 3.6), a Manchester-based Kenyan, also enjoyed a perfect marathon debut in last year’s Baxters race when he powered to victory in 2: 27:21, finishing ahead of Edinburgh University’s Patryk Gierjatowicz (handicap MINUS 3.4) who picked up the Scottish marathon title when taking second position overall in 2:30:49. Both men plan to renew their rivalry at the end of this month
Gierjatowicz, who has recently completed a post graduate maths course at EdinburghUniversity, said: “I am looking forward to running at Loch Ness again. It is a very scenic course and I like it. I am just training as hard as I can and hoping to avoid any injuries.”
The marathon, now in its 13th year, has been given added spice by hosting the Scottish men’s and women’s championships for the fourth year in a row and once again offers a fantastic £1,500 cash prize for the first man and woman to finish.
Race organiser Malcolm Sutherland is delighted that last year’s winners enjoyed the race so much that they are keen to return and he hopes others will join them before the 8th September deadline. He said: “It’s brilliant that Megan, Tarus and Patryk are all coming back to compete here again. We are looking forward to seeing how they fare although I’m sure there are others in the field who will give them a good race.”
The Baxters Loch Ness marathon is the premier event on the race day programme but the festival also includes other attractive runs catering for a wide range of ages and levels of experience.
Sutherland explained: "We try to offer something for all sectors of the running community. In addition to the marathon we have the Baxters River Ness 10Km, including a Corporate Challenge for teams, and this event consistently produces fast times. We also have the Baxters River Ness 5Km fun run, and the Wee Nessie children's run which are always popular.
“More than 9,100 people entered our races in 2013 and it would be great if that total was exceeded this year. There’s also a huge number of people who turn out to watch the races, particularly at the finish in BughtParkwhere the EventVillageis located. As usual there will be plenty of activities at the Village to keep everyone entertained and there is always a fantastic atmosphere around the finish area.
“But there’s not much time left for anyone to join in. Final entries will close at midnight on 8th September and we definitely cannot accept any applications after that date.”
A new feature of the marathon and 10Km this year is the Clan Challenge which has been introduced as part of the Homecoming Scotland 2014 celebrations.
It’s an idea which Sutherland believes will provide an additional element of colour and interest to the event.
Sutherland said: “We want to find out which clan is the most heavily represented in the races so when people enter they are being invited to indicate which clan they represent and where they have come from. We will also be encouraging participants to wear some tartan in the races. The results of the 2014 Clan Challenge will be based on numbers of runners from each Clan who successfully complete either race.”
Full details can be found at www. www.lochnessmarathon.com