International Runner Praises Baxters River Ness 10K Course

Entry Deadline Approaching

Megan Keith winning the 2019 Baxters River Ness 10K

Great Britain under-20 international Megan Keith (Inverness Harriers) is full of praise for the Baxters River Ness 10km course which, she says, provides runners with an outstanding opportunity to post fast times.

The 10k and an accompanying 5k, are part of the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running which takes place on October 3.

But anyone who wishes to take part should get off their marks quickly as entries for the 10k and 5k will close on September 19 while charity and club runner places also remain available in the marathon until that date.

Keith, 19, won the women’s 10k when the festival was last held in the Highland capital, in 2019, recording a fine time of 34min 41secs.

She will return to defend her title next month and hopes to run quicker, with the women’s course record of 33:46 set by Kenyan athlete Cathy Mutwa in 2006 very much in her sights.

Keith said: “The course is definitely a fast one. I haven’t done too many 10ks to make comparisons but it certainly produces quick times.

“I remember looking at my watch at the halfway point and realising that I’d got an unofficial best 5k time, so that shows just how quick the first part of the course can be.

“I live quite close to the route, so I know it well. It’s a net downhill but it doesn’t feel like a free ride as it’s a little bumpy in places but it’s a good one.

“This year I’d hope to run faster than in I did 2019 and the record is certainly something I’ll keep in mind.I’ll give it a good crack. I’d like to think it’s possible, but we’ll see what happens on the day.

Top 3 women at the 2019 Baxters River Ness 10K

“It’s just a great event to be involved in. There’s a fantastic atmosphere with the course going round the town and so many people coming out to watch.

“I’ve run in the 5k a few times when I was younger, with my sister, but I wasn’t taking it seriously. It was just fun to take part.”

Since winning the River Ness 10k Keith has gone on to establish herself as one of the country’s most promising young distance runners.

This summer she won the British under-20 5,000m track title and finished fourth at the European junior championships in Estonia.

The Inverness athlete is about to start studying for a sports science degree at Edinburgh University, but will return to her Inverness home for the Baxters race.

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running event director Malcolm Sutherland is thrilled that athletes of Keith’s calibre will be taking part.

He said:”We are privileged to have athletes like Megan supporting our races and it’s heartening to hear that she enjoyed taking part in the 5k when she was younger.

“As Megan says, the 10k route offers the opportunity for runners of all levels to achieve fast performances. But time is running out for those who haven’t signed up yet.

“Entries close on September 19 2021, unless race capacity is reached sooner, with limited 5K entries available on the event weekend.

“There are also some charity and club runner spaces still available in the marathon, which are a great way to raise money for worthy causes, including our official charity, Macmillan Cancer Support.”

To enter the Baxters River Ness 10K, 10K Corporate Challenge or Baxters River Ness 5K, please visit: www.lochnessmarathon.com.

Discounted entry for the Baxters River Ness 5K is also available for schools and youth groups and clubs and is open to all ages and running abilities. For details of how to enter your team, please email: [email protected]