RECORD BREAKING SIMON TONUI WINS 2009 BAXTERS LOCH NESS MARATHON IN RECORD YEAR FOR ENTRIES

Macdonalds triumph over rivals to win Homecoming Clan Challenge

Simon Tonui of Birchfield Harriers was the winner of the 2009 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon today (Sunday 4 October), crossing the finish line in a record 2 hours 20 minutes and 13 seconds, beating the previous course record set by Thomas Abyu in 2003 by 46 seconds. Runner up for the second year in a row was David Kirkland of Alnwick Harriers (2:23:55). In third place was Christopher Wilson from Ron Hill Cambuslang Harriers (2:26:55).

The women's race was won by Joice Kirui of Birchfield Harriers, with a time of 2:48:25. Bridget Coomber of UK Athletics Club took second place in a time of 2:58:56 and Pamela Tosh from Aberdeen AAC was third (3:02:15).

Kenyan Simon Tonui, winner of the 2009 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, said: “I’m very happy that I broke the course record. I enjoyed the run – the people along the route were very cheerful and the scenery was wonderful”.

Joice Kirui, winner of the women’s Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and also originally from Kenya, said: “I enjoyed running the course. This was my first time running the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and it was great to see whole families – grandparents, children, everyone – out to celebrate and cheer on the runners.”

Winner of the Baxters River Ness 10K was Lukas Wambua of Kenya with a time of 30:32. Second was Robert Turner of Harmeny Athletic Club with a time of 33:14. Third was Karl Simpson of Shetland AAC with a time of 34:29.

In the women’s 10K race, Genet Measso of Ethiopia won in a time of 34 minutes and 51 seconds. Second in the 10K was Inverness Harriers runner Melissa Whyte (35:18), followed by Jenny Bannerman (39:06) in third place, also Inverness Harriers. Melissa Whyte is currently the top runner in the UK for female 10K runners in the over 45 age group.

The fastest team home in the Healthy Working Lives 10K Corporate Challenge was Johnston Carmichael Team 2 in a cumulative time of 3:05:46.

Winner of the GORE RUNNING WEAR™ Runners Club Award 2009 (for fastest running club members male and female) were Simon Tonui and Joice Kirui respectively.

The first person resident within the Highland area across the finishing line was Steven Cameron and he receives the inaugural HSPC Gerald Cooper Memorial Cup, with a £1000 donation to the charity of his choice.

The Macdonalds stormed home as winners of the Run Home Clan Challenge celebrating Scotland’s Year of Homecoming, beating ancient clan rivals the Mackenzies into second place.

Over 7500 runners entered the 2009 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running which took place today in almost perfect running conditions with brilliant autumn sunshine and very little wind.
Over forty different nationalities were represented at the event, with athletes from as far afield as Australia, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Nepal, USA and Zimbabwe.

Malcolm Sutherland, Event & Race Director, said: “Training for an event like this takes real dedication and I’d like to extend our congratulations to everyone participating today. Thank you too to runners supporting our associated charities and helping others through the event. I hope we’ll see you all again next year and that everyone going home with great memories of the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running will pass the word on to their friends and families and encourage them to come to the event next year!”

Bill King, Chief Executive, Baxters said: “The atmosphere around the finish arena and along the course today has been superb – its been great to see so many people enjoying the event. Well done to everyone who took part and a special thanks to everyone who supported the event by raising cash for charity.”

Konnie Huq, former Blue Peter and Top of the Pops television presenter, said: “I’ve had a great visit to the Highlands of Scotland – the fantastic mountain scenery and views of Loch Ness were breathtaking. Even the Baxters River Ness 10K run through the Highland capital, Inverness, took me along a route beside the beautiful River Ness and the castle standing proud above it – this must be one of the most scenic runs in the country! It was fantastic to be involved with the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running and to see all that magnificent training and commitment pay off for the runners and the many charities that benefit from the event. Thank you to everyone for making me so welcome – I’ll definitely be back!”

Lochaber High School Pipes and Drums gave a rousing start to the Marathon runners lined up at Whitebridge, and hundreds of spectators enjoyed the autumn sunshine as they cheered runners along the route. Meanwhile the Easter Ross Schools Pipe Band entertained participants in the Baxters River Ness 5K Fun Run and, later, contributed to an exciting programme of entertainment in Queens Park Stadium in Inverness, the finish arena for all events. The festival entertainment programme also featured historical re-enactments from Battlescar, children’s activities, retail stalls, Highland produce and music from accordionist Cameron Kellow and guitarist Alasdair Taylor, ceilidh band Or, and Clanadonia.

Last year the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running attracted an additional £1.87M to the economy of the local area.

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running is popular with people raising money for charity, as shown by the fantastic £579,188 raised from the 2008 event, benefiting hundreds of charities and communities across Scotland and the UK. Runners were able to choose from four nominated charities for Baxters Loch Ness Marathon – Highland Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Scottish Community Foundation – or select from over 35 other associated national and Scottish charities.

ends

For further information contact Alison Bell on 07765 242686 /alison@smallcreek.co.uk.
Photographs from the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running will be sent to your picture desk separately. If you have not received photographs please contact Alison Bell or either of the following photographers:
Alan Hunter on 07770 415476 – for pictures of the start of the Marathon event, and for general pictures of participants during the event.
Paul Campbell on 07790 299920 – for photos of the start of the 10K event, the finish of the Marathon, Marathon prize winners and 10K prize winners.

RESULTS: BAXTERS LOCH NESS MARATHON & FESTIVAL OF RUNNING, SUNDAY 4 OCTOBER

Men:
1: Simon Tonui, Birchfield Harriers (2:20:13)
2: David Kirkland, Alnwick Harriers (2:23:55)
3: Christopher Wilson, Ron Hill Cambuslang Harriers (2:26:55)
4: David Lindsay, Central AC (2:35:45)
5: Philip Chritchlow, Beaumont RC (2:38:11)
6: Stuart Kerr, Kirkintilloch Olympians (2:39:18)
7: Niku Millot, Metro Aberdeen Running Club (2:39:30)
8: David Thompson, Barnsley AC (2:39:58)
9: Russell Whittington, Bellahouston Road Runners (2:41:43)
10: Scott Kennedy, Bellahouston Road Runners (2:43:01)

Men over 40: 1: Richard Thomson, Metro Aberdeen Running Club (2:48:19)

Men Over 50: 1: Terence Coyle, Glasgow (2:51:43)

Men Over 60: 1: Jeff Whittington, Costa Blanc Striders (3:15:41)


Women:
1: Joice Kirui, Birchfield Harriers (2:48:25)
2: Bridget Coomber, UK Athletics Club (2:58:56)
3: Pamela Tosh, Aberdeen AAC (3:02:15)
4: Erica Christie, Bellahouston Harriers (3:05:53)
5: Morgan Windram-Geddes, Fife Athletic Club (3:05:55)
6: Charlotte Collyer, Woking (3:06:19)
7: Jane Purchase, Doncaster AC (3:06:33)
8: Rebecca Johnson, Bellahouston Road Runners (3:08:08)
9: Paula Ross, Inverness (3:10:38)
10: Rhona Anderson, Dunbar Running Club (3:10:55)

Women over 35: 1: Rebecca Johnson, Bellahouston Road Runners (3:08:08)

Women Over 45: 1: Jane Purchase, Doncaster AC (3:06:33)

Women Over 55: 1: Christine Thorne, North Norfolk Beach Runners (3:55:50)


GORE RUNNING WEAR™ Runners Club Award 2009 (for fastest running club member male)
Simon Tonui
GORE RUNNING WEAR™ Runners Club Award 2009 (for fastest running club member female)
Joice Kirui

HSPC Gerald Cooper Memorial Cup (for first person resident in the Highland area)
Steven Cameron, Lochaber Athletic Club (2:57:31)

Baxters River Ness 10K
Men:
1: Lukas Wambua, Kenya (30:32)
2: Robert Turner, Harmeny Athletic Club (33:14)
3: Karl Simpson, Shetland AAC (34:29)
4: Andy Buchanan, Calderglen Harriers (34:42)
5: Gordon Lennox, Invergordon (34:57)
6: David Coales, Briston (34:59)
7: Daniel Bradford, Glasgow University Hares & Hounds (35:05)
8: David Tamburini, Gourock (35:12)
9: David Burgess, Anster Haddies Running Club (35:24)
10: Nick Brown, Keith & District AAC (35:41)

Men Over 40: 1: Nick Brown, Keith and District AAC (35:41)

Men Over 50: 1: Colin Miller, Irvine Athletic Club (36:08)

Men Over 60: 1: John Douglas, Halkirk (40:56)

Women
1: Genet Measso, Ethiopia (34:51)
2: Melissa Whyte, Inverness Harriers AAC (35:18)
3: Jenny Bannerman, Inverness Harriers AAC (39:06)
4: Ellie Buchan, Aberdeen AAC (39:26)
5: Laura Marshall, Nairn Road Runners (39:42)
6: Rhona Buchan, Aberdeen AAC (39:44)
7: Claire Thompson, Bellahouston Road Runners (39:55)
8: Gillian Carr, Corstorphine AAC (40:15)
9: Fionn Nairn, Hunters Bog Trotters (40:33)
10: Lorraine Gribben, Kilbarchan Amateur Athletic Club (40:47)

Women over 35: 1: Rhona Buchan, Aberdeen AAC (39:44)

Women Over 45: 1: Fionn Nairn, Hunters Bog Trotters (40:33)

Women Over 55: 1: Shirley Hay, Nairn Road Runners (47:16)


Healthy Working Lives 10K Corporate Challenge
Fastest Overall Team and Fastest Private Sector Team: Johnston Carmichael Team 2, cumulative time 3.05.46
Fastest Public Sector Team: HIE Maintenance, cumulative time 3:07:51

Notes to Editors:
1. Konnie Huq saw out her tenth and final year in Blue Peter in January 2008. She was their longest serving female presenter. Konnie began her presenting career when just 17, fronting a number of children’s programmes on The Children’s Channel, including CBBC Channel’s UK Top 40 and GMTV. Konnie has been presenting Zoo days for Channel 5, jetting around the world as the presenter for the Red Bull Air Race on Channel 4, as well as presenting for GMTV. Konnie took part in the Baxters River Ness 10K and presented prizes to winners in all race categories.
2. Baxters Food Group: The Baxter family has been producing some of Britain’s finest soups, preserves, condiments, pour-over sauces and fruit specialities for more than 140 years. Today, Baxters is one of the UK’s leading food manufacturers, with over 150 premium products and some of the country’s leading brands, including Garner’s, Peppadew, Simply Delicious, PizzaExpress and Mary Berry. Baxters has been title sponsor of the Loch Ness Marathon since 2002. www.baxters.com     
3. Other sponsors and supporters include: Homecoming Scotland 2009, The Scottish Co-operative, The Highand Council’s Highland Culture Programme, The Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives, Highland Spring, Lucozade Sport, and GORE Running Wear™.
4. Homecoming Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative managed by EventScotland, the National Events Agency, in partnership with VisitScotland, the National Tourism Agency. Homecoming Scotland 2009 aims to motivate people of Scottish descent, as well as those who simply love Scotland, to come home in 2009 and take part in an inspirational celebration of our culture, heritage and the many great contributions Scotland has given to the world. 2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, with the programme’s design guided by Scotland’s unique position as the home of Burns himself, Golf, Whisky, great minds and innovations, rich culture and heritage and as the ancestral home of millions of people of Scots descent worldwide. For more information on Homecoming Scotland please visit www.homecomingscotland2009.com  or contact Gayle Wilson, PR Manager, on 0131 472 2067.
5. 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. www.scottishcf.org  
6. Two special events have been added to this year’s Festival to encourage people to ‘Run Home to Scotland’ in this unique Homecoming year: the Run Home Highland Breakfast Run and the Run Home Clan Challenge:
• The Run Home Clan Challenge was open to anyone with a claim to a Scottish clan. Runners were invited to represent their Clan (and wear some tartan) in the most fun a Battle of the Clans has been in centuries! All runners in the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Baxters River Ness 10K had the option to register allegiance to their clan when entering. The results of the 2009 Clan Challenge were based on numbers of runners from each clan who successfully completed either event.
• The Run Home Highland Breakfast Run took place on 3 October and was open to all runners, supporters, spectators, local residents – in fact anyone wanting to be part of the 2009 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running! The Breakfast Run was open to all ages and included a hearty Highland breakfast buffet and some great Highland tunes!
7. The Healthy Working Lives 10K Corporate Challenge: Entries for the Healthy Working Lives 10K Corporate Challenge were open to employers and employees from all sectors of business and industry across Scotland. Teams comprised a minimum of four and a maximum of six employees from a single organisation or employer. Prizes were awarded for the fastest team overall, as well as the fastest team from each of the public and private sectors. The winning company was awarded a specially commissioned trophy.