Record entry and new attractions at the Baxter’s Loch Ness Festival of Running proves an exciting weekend for runners and spectators, with new course record for women’s race set by Ethiopia’s Dinknesh Mekash Tefera.
In a year when faster times were expected due to the amended course, Dinknesh Mekash Tefera of Ethiopia set a new record of 2 hours 46 minutes and 39 seconds for the women’s Baxters Loch Ness Marathon course on her first visit to the UK. Crossing the finish line in second place was Clare Prosser (3:05:39) and third was Lin Lascelles (3:05:56).
Female winner, Dinknesh Mekash Tefera, on her first visit to the UK from the village of Ethiopian town of Bekoji, said: “I enjoyed running through the beautiful countryside and am very happy to have achieved a new course record.”
First woman home in the Baxters River Ness 10K was course record holder Cathy Mutwa of Kenya with a time of 34 minutes and 46 seconds. Second was Melissa Whyte of Inverness (36:06) and third was Malene Munkholm (37:03).
Over 8,600 runners from 41 countries entered this weekend’s Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running, the UK’s most scenic marathon. In a new development for 2010, runners crossed the finish line in the new event village in a stunning location adjacent to the River Ness at Bught Park. A corresponding move in the start-line at Whitebridge on the south-side of Loch Ness ensured a faster start for the marathon, and brought about faster times overall.
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The mild, damp start to the day didn’t dampen the runners’ enthusiasm for an event which welcomes participants of all ages and abilities to the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, River Ness 10K, 10k Corporate Challenge, River Ness 5k, and, new for this year, the Wee Nessie.
Malcolm Sutherland of Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running said: “The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running’s reputation as one of the most friendly and most scenic marathons has helped to attract a growing number of runners from all corners of the globe and we are delighted to welcome everyone to the Highlands for the event.
“This year the Baxters Highland Food and Drink Fayre and the first Wee Nessie for pre-school age children have added a special attraction for families and friends coming along to cheer on the runners. We look forward to welcoming you all back to Inverness again in the future”
Runners participating in last year’s event generated over £660,000 for charity, and brought benefit of over £2,178,066 to the local area.
Runners and spectators at this year’s Festival celebrated Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink through the addition of the Baxters Highland Food and Drink Fayre in the Bught Park. Hot garlic bread, steaming bowls of delicious soup, roasting pig, local venison, salmon on bagels and locally brewed beer, and cooking demonstrations by Baxters Head Chef David King, were just some of the treats on offer for spectator and runners alike.
A packed programme of activities and entertainment throughout the day featured live music from Feis Rois, pipes and drums, Highland dancing display, climbing wall, bouncy castles and face painting, as well as charity and sports retailer stands.
For the first time this year, younger participants were invited to join the Wee Nessie. Pre-school age children were able to toddle, walk or jog their own monster race, accompanied by a parent or carer, around a short circuit of approx. 400m in the Bught Park.
Look our for a full event review in the next print issue of sportsister - out November 3rd
Clarissa Goodwin, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
