2009 Loch Ness Marathon.

We woke up to a clear blue sky this morning which was a welcome change from the rather blustery weather we have been experiencing lately. Very pleased about that as the 2009 Loch Ness Marathon starts at 10 a.m. this morning.

Walked up the grass track passing Aspenwood Cottage to the top road to wait for the runners entering the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon this year. The race starts at Whitebridge and they run the 26 miles - initially along the south side of Loch Ness, up the punishing undulating uplands beyond Dores and eventually finish in Inverness by the River Ness. One of our guests,Paul, was entering the Marathon for the first time so we watched and waited with Michelle and their beautiful dog Nikita. It was very chilly but great fun and we had some good laughs with the competitors as we tried to keep their spirits up. We found out later that there were 3521 entrants just for the Marathon and the first past the post was Simon Tonui from Birchfield Harriers based in Birmingham who completed the race in 2.20+13 secs. Our guest also completed the race...so well done you !