The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon has been shortlisted for the first time for a prestigious VisitScotland Scottish Thistle Award. The Marathon is one of three finalists in the International Events and Festivals category.  The 2007 winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony in Edinburgh on the 26th October.

Malcolm Sutherland, the Event and Race Director said:   “We are absolutely delighted to be a finalist in the International Events & Festivals category, giving further endorsement of how the event has become established and demonstrating its true international appeal.”

Over 200 entries were received for this year’s Scottish Thistle Awards, which were created by VisitScotland in 1991 to showcase business excellence and quality. This year there are ten award categories covering all types of tourism businesses and each category has its own independent panel of judges who work to a strict scoring system. VisitScotland Highland Area Director, Scott Armstrong said: “We are in one of the most competitive industries in the world and we know that it’s the little things we do which will make the difference and keep visitors coming back to the Highlands for more.”

There’s still time to enter this year’s Loch Ness Marathon, with entries from club runners and those running for one of the event’s official charities being accepted until midnight on 1 September. Entries for the River Ness 10K and 5K Fun Run close on 14 September.

For further information visit: www.lochnessmarathon.com or call the Event Hotline on: 0870 127 8000 (national call rates apply)
ENDS
 
 
Notes to Editors:

·      Baxters Food Group, a world-renowned producer of quality foods, has been title sponsor of the Loch Ness Marathon since 2002. www.baxters.com

·      The event is supported by the Highland 2007 Regional Events Programme. Highland 2007 aims to promote the Highlands as a great place to live and to visit through showcasing the unique and special nature of Highland culture past, present and future. The project is a partnership between three principal funding agencies: The Highland Council, the Scottish Executive, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. See www.highland2007.com  for full details.

·       Other sponsors include: Highland Spring, Lucozade Sport, GORE Running Wear™, Scottish Co-operative and Run and Become.

·      The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running is one of three events shortlisted for a Scottish Thistle Award in the International Events and Festivals category of the 2007 VisitScotland Scottish Thistle Awards. The overall winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony and dinner on 26 October 2007

·      The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running was founded by and is organised by the Scottish Community Foundation (SCF).

·      The Scottish Community Foundation aims to distribute £7.5m every year to charities and constituted voluntary groups throughout Scotland from 2012. www.scottishcf.org

·      The five nominated charities in 2007 are Highland Hospice, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres, Leonard Cheshire and the Scottish Community Foundation. The 35+ plus associated charities are listed at: www.lochnessmarathon.com/charities

·       The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon starts between Fort Augustus and Foyers and follows a point-to-point route along the south side of Loch Ness; the Baxters River Ness 10K and River Ness 5K Fun Run take place in the Highland capital of Inverness. All three races finish in Inverness Queens Park Stadium.

For further press information, please contact:
 
Sue McKichan, marketing matters     
Tel: 07802 685454                 
Email: s.mckichan@btinternet.com