AMOUNT AWARDED

£30,000 though the International Events Programme and a further £5,000 through Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink.

Event Background & Funding

The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon is one in a portfolio of mass participation events which Scotland can be proud of.  In 2010 the event moved from its existing finish area at Caledonia Stadium to a new location at Bught Park, creating a larger event site and providing a more picturesque finale for runners. Over the two day festival of running over 9,000 runners participated in events covering, marathon, 10km and 5km distances. In addition to £30,000 of funding from the International Events Programme, the event was augmented through an additional £5,000 through Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink allocated for the provision of a ‘Highlands and Islands food and drink arena’ showcasing the best of local produce through tastings, demonstrations and by promoting and selling their products to the public.

Tourism

The 2010 event attracted over 22,000 attendees, with a record 9,030 participating in the running events. Significant numbers travelled from outside the UK (26%) with participants from over 36 different countries attending. Taking place along the banks of Loch Ness, the event showcases one of Scotland’s most widely recognised and beautiful landscapes.

Business

The event provides title sponsor and local company Baxters with a high level of publicity and through the event village provides a variety of local businesses with opportunities to showcase their goods and services. The Food and Drink arena gave local food and drink suppliers a platform to showcase the very best in quality Scottish produce.

Media

As one of the largest events in the Highlands sports calendar, the event generates significant local and regional press coverage as well as a broad spectrum of coverage across British and European running publications. News pieces, commentary and feature articles appeared in the following: Scottish Daily Mail, Running Free, Sportsister, Scottish Sun and broadcast coverage appeared on the following: STV, BBC Radio Scotland, Good Morning Scotland, Breaking News Forth and Moray Firth Radio. The event also had a social media campaign incorporating 1500 facebook ‘likes’ and regular twitter updates.

Participation and development

9000 runners participated in a range of runs including the wee nessie a 400m course for children, a 5k, a 10k and the marathon making it very accessible for all levels of fitness age groups. By offering reduced entry rates, the event encouraged Highland Schools, Youth Clubs and disability groups to take part with 43% of the 5k participants coming from these groups.

Social and cultural benefits

The event engages local communities through the opportunity to participate or volunteer and 44 charities including many local community groups are the recipients of the charitable donations of participants.

Legacy

Having now established itself amongst Scotland’s key mass participation events, Baxter’s Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running will continue to grow in the forthcoming years with the new finish area and food and drink village incorporated into the event’s core activity in future years

Key Outcomes:

22,000 attendees

9,030 participants representing 36 different countries

12 Highland Food and Drink producers

International and National Media Coverage including features in The Scottish Daily Mail, Scottish Sun and broadcast coverage on STV and local radio