HABE fun through fitness is the message from Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running as they invite all schools, youth clubs and disability groups to sign up for this year’s Baxters River Ness 5K Fun Run taking place in Inverness on 3 October.
The 5K Fun Run offers people of all ages and abilities an opportunity to be part of what is widely recognised as the north of Scotland’s largest mass-participation sporting event.
Teams taking part from schools, youth clubs and disability groups from the Highland area will receive reduced entry fees in addition to lots of post-event goodies.
Organisers have also announced an exciting new addition to this year’s Festival, The Wee Nessie, for pre-school age children. For the first time, our youngest entrants will be able to toddle, walk or jog their own monster race, accompanied by a parent or carer, around a short circuit in the Bught Park.
Malcolm Sutherland, of Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, said: “The Baxters River Ness 5K Fun Run is a fantastic way for young people to add fun and excitement to exercise, possibly raise funds for their school or club, and at the same time be part of one of the biggest events in the north of Scotland this year!
“In previous years we’ve had entries from schools, Brownie packs, Scouts, Highland Disability Sport, as well as football, rugby and basketball clubs from across the Highlands and we hope to see many more of you again this year.”
The finish line for all events in this year’s Festival has been moved closer to Inverness city centre, with runners completing the course alongside the River Ness at Bught Park.
New attractions for everyone coming along to the finish arena include a climbing wall, crazy golf and bungee trampolines, face painting as well as music from Feis Rois and local pipe bands, and a range of charity and sports retailer stands. More details will be announced shortly.
The Baxters River Ness 5K Fun Run follows a flat circular route starting and ending in Bught Park, along the River Ness.
The event is fully wheelchair accessible.
Teams must be entered online by Monday 13 September 2010 at www.lochnessmarathon.com.
To find out more about the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running, including places available for charity runners, club runners and overseas runners in this year’s Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, and entry into the Baxters River Ness 10K and the 10K Corporate Challenge, visit www.lochnessmarathon.com or call the hotline on 0870 127 8000.
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For further information contact Alison Bell on 07765 242686 alison@smallcreek.co.uk.
Notes to Editors:
1. Baxters Loch Ness Marathon starts on the south side of Loch Ness, following a spectacular route north through stunning Highland scenery, and alongside the loch, before crossing the River Ness to finish adjacent to the river at Bught Park, Inverness.
The Baxters River Ness 10K (beginning on the south-side of Inverness, through the historic Highland capital, past the Castle and along the banks of the picturesque River Ness) and the Baxters River Ness 5K Fun Run (following a flat circular route beginning near Bught Park, and along the River Ness – suitable for wheelchairs) will also finish adjacent to the River Ness at Bught Park, Inverness.
2. Organisers of the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running announced recently that the event finish line will be moved closer to the city centre, with runners crossing the finish line adjacent to the River Ness at Bught Park, Inverness.
A tented Festival village will be created around the finish line in Bught Park. As well as runner facilities, it will provide the focus for the Festival, including an exciting programme of live entertainment and activities for all to welcome both local runners and those travelling to the Highlands.
3. With the change in finish line, a corresponding move in the start-line at Whitebridge on the south-side of Loch Ness will provide a faster start for the marathon, which is expected will generate faster times overall. A similar move in the start and finish lines for the Baxters River Ness 10K will also apply.
4. Baxters Food Group: The Baxter family has been producing some of Britain’s finest soups, preserves, condiments, pour-over sauces and fruit specialities for more than 140 years. Today, Baxters is one of the UK’s leading food manufacturers, with over 150 premium products and some of the country’s leading brands, including Garner’s, Peppadew, Simply Delicious, PizzaExpress and Mary Berry. Baxters has been title sponsor of the Loch Ness Marathon since 2002.www.baxters.com
5. Participants and supporters of the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running have a significant impact on the local economy – in 2009 they spent £2,178,066 on food, accommodation and associated activities.
6. Participants in the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running generated £661,119 for charity in 2009.
7. Sponsors and supporters include: EventScotland, The Highland Council, GORE Running Wear™, Highland Spring, Lucozade Sport and the Scottish Daily Mail.
8. EventScotland is the national events agency. EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org
9. The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running was founded by the Scottish Community Foundation (SCF), which aims to distribute £7.5m every year to charities and constituted voluntary groups throughout Scotland. www.scottishcf.org
10. The 10K Corporate Challenge: Entries for the 10K Corporate Challenge are open to employers and employees from all sectors of business and industry across Scotland. Teams comprise a minimum of four and a maximum of six employees from a single organisation or employer. Prizes are awarded for the fastest team overall, as well as the fastest team from each of the public and private sectors. The winning company receives a specially commissioned trophy.
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Contact: Alison Bell
Phone: 07765 242686
Email: alison@smallcreek.co.uk
