Zakary Kihara was a convincing winner of the 2007 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon today (Sunday 7 October), crossing the finish line in a time of 2 hours 23 minutes and 17 seconds. Moray Anderson of Corstorphine Amateur Athletics Club in Edinburgh took second place (2:30:56). In third place was Andrew Farquharson, from Kent (2:35:10).

Over 5600 runners lined up for Baxters Festival of Running this morning, on a bright October day, which brought out crowds of spectators to support all the runners .

The women's race was won by Banuelia Katesigwa from Tanzania in a time of 2:55.04, with Shona McIntosh of Glasgow taking second place in a time of 3:04:29  and Lydia Schumacher from USA taking third (3:06:35).

Victory in the Baxters River Ness 10K went to Jean Ndayasenga, originally from Burundi, and running for Birchfield Harriers in Birmingham, who crossed the line in 30 minutes and 36 seconds, with Barney Phillips from Aberdeen Athletics Club in second (31:57) and Andrew Douglas from Caithness AAC in third (32:08). In the women’s race Bridget Coomber  (Denby Dale Travellers) won in a time of 37.43. Second in the 10K was local Inverness runner, Morag Ross of Inverness Harriers (38.25), followed by Julia Henderson from Helensburgh (38:45) in third place.

The event not only attracted elite Scottish, international and club runners, but also proved massively popular with amateurs, joggers and those who were running to raise money for charity. Last year's event raised a fantastic £408,311, and looks set to raise even more. Fifty different nationalities were represented in today’s races, with athletes from as far afield as Australia, Brazil, Japan,  Kenya, New Zealand and Trinidad.

Kerr Arthur, Marketing Director of Baxters Food Group, presented the awards to all the winners at the prize-giving presentation for the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and the River Ness 10K. He commented: “It’s been a fantastic day. Congratulations to everyone who took part, and our thanks must go to everyone who supported the charities associated with the event and to all the volunteers.”

Malcolm Sutherland, Event & Race Director said: “We’re delighted so many runners from throughout Scotland, the UK and overseas took on the challenge of Loch Ness, the 10K or 5K Fun Run. It’s been a great day for all involved, and we would like to thank all our volunteers and our charities for their tremendous support in making it such a success.”

The Festival of Running has a tremendous impact on the local economy as runners, their supporters and the local community head to Inverness and the Loch Ness area to soak up the race weekend atmosphere; almost £1million was spent on accommodation, food and activities in 2006.

Thousands lined the final few miles along the route in the autumn sunshine to support the runners as they came into the Queens Park Stadium in Inverness, the finish venue of all three races. Runners, together with their families and friends, enjoyed the carnival atmosphere, with entertainment including pipes & drums, ceilidh bands, a bouncy castle, Baxters Soup and face painting for the children.

This year for the first time the Loch Ness Marathon was filmed and a TV programme will be broadcast on Channel 5 on Sunday 14 October, check TV listings for exact timing.

Results
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, Inverness Sunday 1st October

Men: 1: Zakary Kihara, Kenya; 2 hours 23 minutes 17 seconds; 2: Moray Anderson (Corstorphine AAC) (2:30:56), 3: Andrew Farquharson, Kent AC, (2:35:10)
Men over 40: 1: John Duffy, Shettleston Harriers, (2:43:18)
Men Over 50: 1:  Eamonn Dorling, Thorney Running Club, (2:59:35)
Men Over 60: 1: John Moran, Anster Haddies (3:26:24)
Women: 1: Banuelia Katesigwa, Tanzania (2:55:04), 2 Shona McIntosh, Glasgow, (3:04:29), 3: Lydia Schumacher, USA (3:06:35)
Women over 35: 1: Erica Christie, Bellahouston Harriers (3:08:00)
Women's Over 45: 1: Ann Stuart, Bromsgrove & Redditch (3:24:20)
Women's Over 55: 1 Linda Vinton, Maidenhead AC (4:13:08)
 
Baxters River Ness 10K
Men: 1: Jean Ndayasenga, Birchfield Harriers, (30:36), 2: Barney Phillips, Aberdeen AC (31:57),  3: Andrew Douglas, Caithness AAC (32:08)
Men Over 40: 1: Paul Trott (35:25)
Men Over 50: 1: Sam Morrison, Forres Harriers (39:16)
Men Over 60: 1: John Macpherson, Aberdeen AAC (40:28)
Women & Women Over 35: 1: Bridget Coomber, Denby Dale Travellers (37:43)
Women's Over 45: 1: Sue Spong, Havering Go Joggers (41:20)
Women's Over 55: 1: Franky Farquhar (46:01)

FULL RESULTS AVAILABLE ON THE LOCH NESS MARATHON WEBSITE FROM TUESDAY 9 OCTOBER 2007
-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 <http://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, TNT and Run and Become.

·      The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running is one of three events short-listed for a Scottish Thistle Award in the International Events and Festivals category of the 2007 VisitScotland Scottish Thistle Awards.

·      The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running was founded by the Scottish Community Foundation (SCF), which 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 <http://www.lochnessmarathon.com/charities>
 
For further press information and photos, please contact:
 
Sue McKichan, Loch Ness Marathon, Tel: 07802 685454, Email: s.mckichan@btinternet.com <mailto:s.mckichan@btinternet.com>
Further information on the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon at:
www.lochnessmarathon.com