The beautiful scenery and the centuries-old mystery of the Loch Ness monster have attracted visitors from around the world for years.

But the monster is not the only long-running legend in the area. Loch Ness is also home to Scotland's largest rural marathon. 

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running takes place on Sunday, 29th September. Runners can choose from the full Marathon - whose "jaw dropping" scenery and unique lochside location have seen it voted one of Britain's favourite 26m races - the River Ness 10K and 10K Corporate Challenge, the 5K Fun Run or the Wee Nessie for those with little legs.

Anyone deciding to run will be joining more than 9000 expected entrants, with entries for all races open at www.lochnessmarathon.com, and guaranteed places in the Marathon until 1st July.

Marathon runners start their race to the haunting sounds of the pipes in the atmospheric wildness of moorland landscape. Then the scenic route meanders its way towards the south end of the iconic loch passing through stunning open countryside down into the lochside miles, through supportive local villages and into Inverness over the beautiful River Ness to the finish line.

The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running isn't all about hard work, however. There's always a festival atmosphere at this event and the Highland capital knows how to party.  With live music, the Baxters Food and Drink Fayre, a charity and sports expo, physiotherapists and massage therapists, and lots of activities for kids, there's plenty to entertain, energise and reward runners and supporters of all ages.

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running has built up a strong reputation over the years, and event organisers are encouraging people around the world to join them at the start line and become part of the Loch Ness running legend. 

Many have done so before and highly recommend it, praising the location, the scenery, the route and the organisation of the event - "brilliant and quirky support", "top marshalls and organisation", "you'll finish with a smile on your face", "the views on the vast majority of the route are simply outstanding."

"A runner who neatly summed up the event said "I wanted to complete at least one marathon in my lifetime and I wanted it to be an iconic and unique experience - Loch Ness certainly didn't disappoint."

The event's official charity this year is Macmillan Cancer Support, with five affiliate charities - Alzheimer Scotland, Breast Cancer Care, Highland Hospice, MND Scotland, Multiple Sclerosis Society Scotland - and many other participating charities listed on the event website.

Guaranteed places are available for the marathon until 1st July with places available for charity, club and overseas runners until 9th September.  The entry deadline for the Baxters River Ness 10K, the 5K Fun Run as well as the 10K Corporate Challenge and Wee Nessie is 9th September.  Runners can entry all  the races at www.lochnessmarathon.com

ENDS

Notes for Editor

• Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running takes place on Sunday, 29th September and comprises the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, Baxters River Ness 10K, 10K Corporate Challenge, River Ness 5K Fun Run and Wee Nessie. For further information visit www.lochnessmarathon.com. 
• The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running won the Best Sporting Event Award at the 2012 Scottish Thistle Awards (VisitScotland) and at the 2012 Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards. The event was also voted Best Marathon by Running Fitness magazine in 2012.
• The 9071 entrants in the 2012 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running generated £438,400 for charity.
• The official charity for 2013 is Macmillan Cancer Support with five lead affiliate charities: Alzheimer Scotland, Breast Cancer Care, Highland Hospice, MND Scotland and MS Society. There are also over 30 affiliate charities.
• The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon will incorporate the 2013 Scottish Marathon Championships.
• Sponsors are Baxters, EventScotland, The Highland Council, Highland Spring, Nathan, Brooks and Clif Bar. The media sponsor is the Scottish Daily Mail.
• 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, Simply Delicious, PizzaExpress and Mary Berry. Baxters has been title sponsor of the Loch Ness Marathon since 2002. www.baxters.com
• EventScotland: EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. 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. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews. EventScotland is part of VisitScotland, the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland.
• Year of Natural Scotland: Year of Natural Scotland www.visitscotland.com/natural is a campaign to showcase Scotland's outstanding natural beauty, unique natural environment and grow tourism spend in every corner of the country. It is a partnership between the Scottish Government, VisitScotland, EventScotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Further media information and photographs from Caroline Keith at theKeithconsultancy on 07734 543923 or caroline@thekeithconsultancy.co.uk