Ultra Distance Trail Champs update; Loch Ness Marathon magic

Monday 29th September 2025

Stuart Paterson and John Anderson; and Women’s Scottish Ultra Distance Trail champion, Carol Newman

The Scottish Ultra Distance Trail Championships were held within the Ochil 50-mile race on Saturday.

The course started at Stirling University and then made its way over the Ochil Hills to Glendevon, onward to Bridge of Earn, and finally finishing in Perth.

Scottish 100km International Stuart Paterson of Ochil Hill Runners, claimed the title in 7:42:54, repeating his victory in this race from 2023.

John Anderson and Donald MacRae completed the men’s podium .

Carol Newman (Carnethy HR) took the women’s title in 9:12:26, with Stornoway’s Muriel MacLeod taking second and Lizzie Polgreen of Portobello third.

Thank you to Ben and Ted Finch for organising.

Men’s winning team – John Anderson, Colin Cumming, Neil Grant

Men

1 Stuart Paterson (Ochil HR) 7:42:54; 2 John Anderson (M40 Chilled Running) 8:08:07; 3 Donald MacRae (M40 Portobello RC) 8:13:27

Women:

1 Carol Newman (W40 Carnethy RC) 9:12:26; 2 Muriel MaCloud (W50 Stornoway) 9:56:56; 3 Lizzie Polgreen (Portobello RC) 9:57:34

Masters M40

1 John Anderson; 2 Donald MacRae; 3 Colin Cumming (Chilled Running) 11:42:41

Masters W40

1 Carol Newman; 2 Lucia Tisnes (Dundee RR) 12:30:07

Masters M50

1 Tim Darlow (Gala Harriers) 9:25:59; 2 Colin Fagan (Unattached) 9:30:15; 3 Stephen Dickson (Fife AC) 11:10:53

Masters W50

1 Muriel MacLeod; 2 Tracy Philp (Portobello RC) 12:30 :11.

Masters M60

1 Richard Stark (Strathaven Striders) 10:28:06; 2 Stuart Michael (PH Racing Club) 13:07:25

Scottish Championship Teams

Men:

Chilled Running (John Anderson, Colin Cumming, Neil Grant)

Women:

Portobello RC (Lizzie Polgreen, Sarah Connolly-Gordon, Alison Caldwell)

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Pictures via Loch Ness Marathon (Trevor Martin)

Results

Report by Laura Price

The 2025 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running once again delivered an unforgettable, sell-out weekend in the Highlands.

Thousands of participants from across the globe descended on Inverness to take on one of the world’s most scenic running events.

This year’s edition saw a record 10,700 runners enter across the weekend, with entries for the marathon and the Baxters River Ness 10K and 5K selling out.

Renowned for its breathtaking scenery and electric atmosphere, the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon witnessed top performances from both elite and local talent.

In the men’s category, Alex Milne of Hercules Wimbledon AC smashed the course record with an astonishing time of 2:15:46.

In the female category, Melissah Gibson of 100 Marathon Club returned to successfully defend her title from 2024 and 2023, winning in a time of 2:43:08.

The Baxters River Ness 10K also showcased fine performances at all levels, with Sean Chalmers of Aberdeen AAC the first male finisher in 28:59. Caitlyn Heggie of Inverness Harriers won the Women’s race in 36:04.