Hosted by Scottish television and radio presenter; Bryan Burnett, the two-day festival promises a packed family friendly agenda including the introduction of the new Runner’s Café on Saturday 22 September, Baxters Food & Drink Fayre, live music and a range of other races suitable for those looking for an alternative to a full marathon.

The River Ness 10K and 5K follow a flat, point-to-point course through the historic Highland capital of Inverness alongside the banks of the picturesque River Ness, and are renowned for their ‘PB’ potential. There’s also the Wee Nessie race, open to pre-school children aged five and under, that follows a short circular route in the enclosed Bught Park providing youngsters with the perfect introduction to the sport.

The café will be open during registration on Saturday 22 September from 10:00-16:00 and free for everyone to attend. Visitors are invited to grab a coffee, cake, Baxters Hearty soup or whatever takes their fancy from a number of street food vendors. They can also listen to Expo talks, chat with other runners from around the world and enjoy some traditional Scottish music.

Race director Malcolm Sutherland commented: “With a little under six months left until this year’s Loch Ness Marathon 2018, the programme is really shaping up. Marathon registrations are flooding in from across the UK and beyond with the furthest entries so far coming from New Zealand, South Africa, Japan and Brazil.”

The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, which has been shortlisted again for the 2018 Running Awards in the Best Marathon category - follows a spectacular point-to-point route alongside the world famous Loch Ness, starting in an atmospheric moorland setting between Fort Augustus and Foyers then continuing through stunning Highland scenery along the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness, across the River Ness, finishing in Inverness, capital city of the Highlands.