By James Kinnaird
A record-breaking turnout of almost 10,000 runners gathered in the Highlands to take part in the 2024 Loch Ness running festival. Alongside the record number of runners, the event saw new course records in the 10K and marathon events in what was an incredible weekend of running in the highlands.
The weekend got underway on Saturday, as the event village opened in Bught Park in Inverness. This year’s entertainment included the runner’s expo, featuring a number of global running brands such as Garmin, Ronhill, and Scotland’s very own Run4it.
Alongside several local food and drink stalls with main sponsor Baxters providing plenty of soup, which could be enjoyed while listening to guest speakers such as Fraser Clyne and ultramarathoner Richard Smith in the Runner’s Cafe.
The racing action got underway on Sunday, beginning with the shortest race of the weekend, the 5K. The 5K loop starts in Bught Park as runners initially do a loop of the park before heading out over ‘ness islands’ and back down the south bank of the river before crossing at tower bridge for the home straight back into Bught Park.
This year’s event was won by 15-year-old Billy Sutherland on his debut at the festival, recording a time of 16 minutes and 15 seconds. The first girl across the line was 11-year-old Millie Glass-Park from Young Meldrum Runners, who won by almost a minute with a time of 17 minutes and 55 seconds.
Next up was the 10K, a point-to-point race that starts in the south of the city at Inverness Royal Academy. The route takes runners out of Inverness, towards Fort William, before doing a U-turn at 4km back along the banks of the Ness and ending with the same final kilometre at the 5K.
Logan Ree’s of Fife Athletics Club came home in first place to not only win the event but smash the course record by 43 seconds, recording a time of 28 minutes 52 seconds, a record that has stood for 16 years.
The female winner was Inverness Harriers athlete Caitlyn Heggie, who recorded a personal best of 35 minutes and 50 seconds. It was an emotional victory for the 17-year-old, who dedicated the win to her grandmother, who had passed the week prior.
Finally, it was time for the 2024 Loch Ness Marathon. Runners had already been transported by bus to the start line, lying just north of Fort Augustus, high above Loch Ness in the Scottish wilderness.
The route takes runners down from the picturesque high ground and onto the banks of the loch, following its southeastern shore all the way into central Inverness before a turn at tower bridge and a gruelling final half mile to the finish.
After 26.2 monstrous miles, two familiar faces broke the tape at the finish, as reigning champions Moray Pryde and Mellisah Gibson both defended their respective Loch Ness Marathon titles.
Alongside his second title, Pryde broke the course record by 43 seconds, completing the race in 2 hours and 19 minutes. Gibson came home in 2 hours and 55 minutes, an incredible result for the Ealing Eagles runner, who has been open about her recent injury struggles.