Several continents were represented as more than 8,500 people took part in the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running yesterday.
And for once, the Loch Ness monster was overshadowed by the sheer scale of the north’s biggest mass participation sporting event.
Runners of all ages and abilities took part in the marathon, River Ness 10k, 10k Corporate Challenge and River Ness 5k, with 43% of those registered coming from outside Scotland.
The people of Inverness took the accompanying traffic delays and road closures in their stride, cheering the weary runners along the riverside in the final stages of the course.
From the oldest, an 82-year-old taking part in his first marathon, to the youngest, a Wee Nessie fun runner aged one, all were warmly applauded by the locals.
Race director Malcolm Sutherland said Loch Ness had provided “a world-class backdrop” for the events.
“There is something incredibly special about being able to run in this stunning landscape and the sight of runners making their way along the loch side in their hundreds is inspiring,” he said.
“We have participants from Australia, South Africa, Europe, North America and South America – the event has grown into an event with international appeal with 56 different nationalities represented.
“To have almost half of all marathon participants travel here from outwith Scotland is tremendous, and is an achievement we are delighted to have made in the Year of Homecoming.”
He said hundreds of thousands of pounds had been raised for charity, with the event’s lead charity partner Macmillan Cancer Support expecting to generate £110,000 alone, thanks to the efforts of 350 runners.
In conjunction with the Year of Homecoming celebrations, organisers introduced a clan challenge in which all runners were asked to pledge allegiance to a clan surname.
The clan with the biggest representation on the day, and winner of the challenge, was the Macdonald with more than 90 registered participants, from a total of 2,100 entries.
Paul Bush OBE, chief operating officer for EventScotland, added: “Once again the Loch Ness Marathon has proven to be a spectacle, which truly showcases Scotland as the perfect stage for events.”