Please note final event information may be subject to change and will be available nearer the event date.
If you’re new to running or looking for a shorter distance, the popular Baxters River Ness 5K could be the race for you. Open to runners of all ages and abilities including wheelchair entrants, the 5K follows a flat route by scenic River Ness to finish alongside other races at Bught Park, Inverness.
Whatever your running ability, fitness level, age or experience, if you enter the Baxters River Ness 5K, we guarantee you’ll cross the finish line with a smile on your face!
The route starts at the Bught Park and does a loop near the park before crossing over ‘the Islands’ and following Ness Bank into the heart of Inverness. Runners will turn left over the main town road bridge and left again immediately after the bridge into Ness Walk. The route continues along the edge of the River Ness before finishing at the Bught Park.
Entry Includes
Finisher's technical t-shirt
Finisher's medal
Goody bag
Post-race soup & roll
Water at the finish
Fantastic festival at the finish
Run for Your School or Club
If you’re part of a school group, youth club or disability group, taking part in the Baxters River Ness 5K presents the perfect opportunity to have fun, raise awareness AND fundraise all at the same time!
Discounted entry fees are available for teams from schools, youth clubs and disability groups. Get in touch for further information about entering a team.
The route starts at the Bught Park, Inverness IV3 5SQ and follows a loop near the park before crossing over onto ‘the Islands’ and following Ness Bank into the heart of Inverness. Runners will turn left over the main town road bridge and left again immediately after the bridge into Ness Walk. The route continues along the edge of the River Ness before finishing at the Bught Park. See the 5K route map.
Race numbers are allocated for all races after the entry closing date in September, and will be available on our website. All runners will be advised of their race number by email. All 5K runners must collect their race number during pre-race registration between 10.00-18.00 on Saturday or between 07.30-09.00 on Sunday at the Event Village, Bught Park, Inverness IV3 5SQ.
Due to exceptionally high demand, entry to the 2023 Baxters River Ness 5K has sold out early this year and as a result there will not be any race weekend entries to the 5K.
Entry fee includes commemorative finisher’s medal, finisher’s technical t-shirt, goody bag, downloadable finisher’s certificate (from marathon photos live), complimentary post-race food and a fantastic festival at the Finish.
We have teamed up with Marathon Photos Live, the leading event photography company in the world photographing over 700 mass participation events in over 35 countries. Every runner will find their photos and video within 24 to 48 hours after the event and can also download a FREE personalised Event Certificate.
Your official photos from the Loch Ness Marathon, 10K & 5K will be going LIVE from the moment you pass a MarathonPhotos Live photographer around the course. Share your race number with your friends and family and they can register here to be notified as soon as your first photos are available online. They can then see your progress throughout the run. They might even buy your photos and your video as a well-done gift before you’ve even crossed the finish line!
Don’t forget to share your photos and video on social media and with friends & family so they can share your achievement.
Entries are open for the River Ness 5K until 25 September 2023 unless race capacity is reached sooner, with limited entries available over race weekend subject to race capacity.
All 5K runners must collect their race number during pre-race registration between 10.00-18.00 on Saturday 30 September 2023 or between 07.30-09.00 on Sunday 1 October 2023 at the Event Village, Bught Park, Inverness IV3 5SQ.
Please note that wearing headphones or earphones is NOT permitted in any of the races under Scottish and UK Athletics rules.
We DO allow the use of headphones or earphones that use bone conductor technology, which allow the wearer to be aware of their surroundings. However, this is at your own risk and if an incident occurs as a result of, or made worse by, you wearing these headphones or earphones you may be held liable.
You will have received a confirmation email at the time of registering, if this did not happen please contact us or you can log-in to your MyActive page to check your entry.
We’re sorry but we can only accept entry and payments online. If you are unable to enter online, we do accept a limited number of entries on event weekend.
If you are no longer able to participate, it is possible to transfer your place to another runner. You can do this by logging into your entry through My Events. Please note it is your responsibility to find a replacement runner and the transfer of place must be completed by 16 July 2023. Once the new runner has claimed the transfer and paid the full entry fee online, you will automatically be issued with a refund, minus the transfer fee.
We’re sorry but we do not operate a transfer system between races.
If you are interested in taking part in another race you can still register online until 18 September 2023 (Marathon and 10K) and 24 September 2023 (5K and Wee Nessie)., but you will have to pay the registration fee. These dates are subject to change if race capacity is reached.
Please note: Never swap your race number with any other runner, as this could cause problems for our medical teams and results service. If race organisers become aware of anyone who swaps their race number they will be disqualified and reported to Scottish Athletics.
There is NO parking available at Bught Park. Parking is available at the following public car parks (see below), parking charges may apply. Where possible we recommend car sharing, using public transport or walking to the Event Village.
Highland Council HQ Car Park, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX
Cathedral Car Park, Ness Walk, Inverness, IV3 5NN
Old Town Rose Street Multi- Storey, Farraline Park, Inverness, IV1 1NH
Eastgate Centre Multi-Storey Car Park, 11 Eastgate, Inverness IV2 3PP
Torvean Car Park, IV3 8JL accessed from roundabout opposite Premier Inn, Glenurquhart Road
Disabled parking is available at Bught Park, please note this is located on grass, approx. 400m from the Event Village. Please follow the signs to ‘VIP Parking’.
There is NO access or parking available at the Inverness Ice Centre, Inverness Leisure or Highland Rugby Club car parks.
Please be considerate towards local residents and businesses when parking around the Event Village.
Yes, buggies are allowed on the 5K course, and you will be required to complete separate entries for yourself and your child. This is for safety reasons so that we have a record of everyone who is out on the course, and to allow us to provide t-shirts and medals for everyone that takes part. Runners/walkers with buggies are required to start at the back of the field for safety reasons.
A changing tent is available in the Event Village. We are sorry there are no showers available. Please note that showers/changing are NOT available within Inverness Leisure Centre.
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