The Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running included the marathon itself, 10K and 5K races and the "Wee Nessie", a short run, crawl or toddle round the Bught Park for children aged 5 and under. In total, 8,000 runners from 41 countries took part. Just under 2,500 completed the full marathon.
Route of the Loch Ness Marathon 2010
The marathon took runners up the eastern shore of Loch Ness in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, on the old Wade Road, from Whitebridge north of Fort Augustus. Marathon runners were bussed to Whitebridge from Inverness, Drumnadrochit and Fort Augustus.
The route then went through Dores and into Inverness, along one side of the river Ness, across the Highland capital's main Ness Bridge and down the other bank past the Eden Court Theatre to the Bught Park.
Winners of the Loch Ness Marathon 2010
The overall winner of the marathon was Tomas Abyu. A native of Ethiopia, he now lives in the United Kingdom and is a member of Salford Harriers. He completed the 26.2 miles in two hours 20 minutes and 50 seconds.
The first woman home was another Ethiopian, Dinknesh Mekash Tefera. On her first trip to Scotland and the U.K. and making her first trip ever out of Ethiopia, she set a new record for the women's course of two hours 46 minutes and 39 seconds.
Good Weather for the Loch Ness Marathon 2010
Although there were some rain showers at the start of the marathon, most of it was run in sunshine and under blue skies. Although heavy rain was falling in much of the rest of the U.K., Loch Ness and Inverness found themselves in a pocket of excellent weather.
Charity Runners at the Loch Ness Marathon 2010
Many participants were running for charities. Among many good causes, these included Erskine Hospital, the Meningitis Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support, breast cancer and other charities.
Runners in novelty costume included a pair of tigers, the Pink Panther, Captain America and Superwoman. There was also, of course, at least one man in a kilt.
Enthusiastic Local Support at Loch Ness Marathon 2010
The Loch Ness Marathon 2010 enjoyed sterling support from a willing army of local volunteers. Many acted as marshalls, making sure the runners were safe from traffic and heading in the right direction. The marshalls were also generous with their encouragement, especially to slower runners.
Water stations along the route were manned by local youngsters, eagerly helping to refresh the runners.
Other locals lined the route, applauding and encouraging the runners. One householder in Dores on the eastern shore of the loch handed out sweets, a gesture appreciated by many of the participants.
In Inverness itself, the pavement cafes of hotels and pubs on Ness Bank and Ness Walk were full of enthusiastic onlookers. Many of the faster runners also took up their posts here after they had crossed the finish line and offered great encouragement to other runners as they came in.
Loch Ness Marathon Medal
All those who completed the course received a handsome medal. This is decorated with a stylized Nessie, the Loch Ness monster, her famous humps made to look like laces threaded through a running shoe.
Next year's marathon in this beautiful part of the Scottish Highlands will take place on Sunday 2 October 2011.
Read more about the Loch Ness Marathon.
