Loch Ness Marathon 2024: From Start to Finish - An Unbelievable Race Experience 🏅

[@stevenpaton7377]

Well done mate took me over 4 hours but I got injured at mile 18 and was just happy to finish. Impressive time

[@pksruns]

Thanks so much - it was a tough course, so simply finishing is a HUGE achievement! Do you have another race booked in, or are you still in the “I’ll never run another marathon” phase!!’ 🤪

[@young-spark]

Well done, mate!! I ran it as well and finished 3:27. WHilst I was off of my target by a few minutes, I loved the entire experience. Everyone warned me about the hills in the 2nd half and I knew it was gonna be a long day when the hills in the first half of thr race gave my legs a run for the money 😅😅

[@pksruns]

It was fantastic wasn’t it - the hill at mile 6 was BRUTAL! It was definitely one to remember? What’s target are you going for? And how’s the training looking?

[@young-spark]

Yes. I def felt that one. The shorter but steeper climbs were much harder for me than the much longer but gradual climbs. It wasn't my toughest marathon but it was the toughest course I've been on! I just might do it again next year! ​@pksruns

[@pksruns]

Yeah i think the steep hills mess with everything - HR spikes, had to change form etc! I’d take a long gradual hill any day of the week!

[@BIAxMalarkey]

Well done. I did it too my first official marathon in 3:15:38. Makes me think I could do a sub 3 on a flat course lol.

[@pksruns]

That’s amazing… how long have you been running? As someone who’s gone from 2:59:17 to 2:45:55 I’d say ANYTHING is possible - you just have to be prepared to grind, make sacrifices, and beat all the negative voices that will tell you that you can’t! I look forward to hearing about that sub 3 - got a race planned?

[@BIAxMalarkey]

@@pksruns ex military so always ran but not for fun. Been out 7 years now and took up running seriously about 2 years ago. Next marathon for me is the 3 island marathon on uist next year. Good luck for London.

[@pksruns]

Ah that’s amazing - if you’re already down at 3:15 after 2 years the rest is just going to compound! Look forward to hearing how you get on 🙌🏼

[@paulstarr6001]

This Paul was F -ing epic. Such a inspiration. Makes me want to try a marathon again. Do Valencia you will go under 2.40, without question. Did you enjoy the pipes? Until next time young man 💪

[@pksruns]

Thanks so much - glad you enjoyed! It was quite a day to be honest - mild cramp in final 500m but felt so strong throughout! I’d say the pipes are the most demonic of instruments, but it certainly added to the experience 🤪. What’s stopping you going for another marathon? AND am I following you on Strava yet?

[@davidfox4910]

Awesome mate massive well done superb scenery too 💯💪🏻👏🏻🙌🏻😊🏃‍♂️.

[@pksruns]

Thanks so much - I don’t really remember taking much of it in sadly! I’ll have to go back sometime and walk some of the course!!!

[@Ryan_RyRy_Ryan]

Hell of a run that! Well done! 💪🔥

[@pksruns]

Thanks so much - went full send! Blew expectations out of the water! Did you run it?

[@Marktburgess]

Well Done. Running after is impressive!

[@pksruns]

Thanks mate! You know me, obsessed to a tee! No way that would have stuck if Laura was with me 🤣

[@NellyMin-e6d]

Nice one! Thanks for sharing- I wanted to sign up for this but I couldn't work out the logistics 😂

[@pksruns]

If you can figure out a way to make it work, it’ll be worth your while! It was a really fun (and challenging) course! I’ve only run 3 marathons and it’s 100% in my top 3 🤣

[@jxrd9815]

Well done Paul! Been looking forward to this one and it most certainly didnt disappoint! London next 🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻

[@pksruns]

Thanks so much - I’m looking forward to seeing your sub-90 half marathon time! Believing you can do it 🙌🏼

[@zacandsarahp]

Well done Paul! Seriously impressive 👍

[@pksruns]

Thanks so much Zac! You still doing Tri?

[@zacandsarahp]

@@pksruns Yes and been trying to get in to the London marathon for 17 years! Maybe I should try good for age too! I wasn’t too far off at one point but I’d have to concentrate on just running

[@pksruns]

GFA definitely a route worth considering! TBH cycling is so beneficial for the running anyway - there are plenty of fast runners who are only doing low mileage for running but have heaps of other Z2 workouts! You can do this! It definitely feels like getting a place at London any other way is near impossible

[@zacandsarahp]

@@pksruns sadly I’m not eligible for GFA as I still live in France 🙁 will just have to keep trying the international ballot 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@youngbairn]

Amazing run and great video. Congratulations. Thanks for the the upload so I've got a video to look back on the race. The course was brutal and just been for my first Run a week later 😂

[@pksruns]

Brutal is the correct word - I think I’ll be happy to stick to flat races from here on in, unless it’s trail - hills feel ok on the trails (though still brutal). Is it too early to ask what your next race is?

[@youngbairn]

@@pksruns I think I'd like to 1 or 2 Marathons next year. I actually really enjoyed (mostly) the training block. Edinburgh is the obvious one for me buy in the running club ballot for their 1 London place 😀

[@randybullerwell7233]

Once again, amazing effort and result - consideringbyour stress fracture.

[@pksruns]

Thanks so much - this year has been one hell of a ride and I’m genuinely excited about what 2025 could hold! What are you training for?

[@randybullerwell7233]

@@pksruns just starting up my racewalking base training tomorrow. My goal: age group records at the National Masters Athletics Championships in the Summer, 2025 (5000m and 1500m)

[@pksruns]

Oh yeah! Sorry, totally forgot you’re my canadian running legend ☺️

[@randybullerwell7233]

@@pksruns I do appreciate that

[@Maxjoan]

Beautiful vid! Curious what the temp was at the start ?

[@pksruns]

I’d say it was just below 9 degrees - tbh we got incredibly lucky as there was very little wind! I’ve heard horror stories of the start line being unbearably cold! Are you considering running it?

[@Maxjoan]

@@pksruns I was just curious from seeing how people were dressed and your own comments, it seemed pretty cold - notably as I'm in the process of deciding what to wear for a half this coming Sunday in Lausanne. Weather prediction is evolving, most likely I will go light, maybe suffer a bit the first few minutes :) I've never run a marathon yet. I lived for a year in Edinburgh 20 years ago and haven't been back, so participating in a marathon might be the perfect excuse !

[@neilpurves2664]

Great running 👍

[@pksruns]

Thanks so much - a tough day, but everything came together amazingly! Are you training for anything in particular?

[@neilpurves2664]

@@pksruns just a local ultra this month then it’s all in for London next year !!! Good for age also 👍

[@pksruns]

Oh nice - I may try an ultra over the winter! Not feeling massively motivated to plod at this point, but all great base building!

[@yellowfolder]

Beating your target by 10 minutes, as you do! I've considered Loch Ness as a marathon, but a friend who did it advised that your quads take a pounding due its substantial downhill nature. I don't do strength training so I think I'd probably falter and lose the benefit of the course profile.

[@pksruns]

Yeah I think the focussed strength training over the last year really came into its own… I saw a lot of runners get carried away at the start with all the downhills and I’m pretty sure they regretted it! It’s a wonderful experience though, so if you even a little tempted you should do it ! Do you have any other races in mind?

[@yellowfolder]

@@pksruns I did Edinburgh as my first this year but nowhere near my potential (bad block, averaged 30 mile weeks over 12 weeks, scraped in a 2:58) so might do that again but with decent mileage and go for something approaching your time. Edinburgh has a bit of downhill too for the first 5km or so, but it's not to poundy.