Inverness Half Marathon
The Lowdown
The Inverness Half Marathon is a flat, scenic half marathon through the Highland capital of Inverness, Scotland, run alongside the River Ness. First held in 1985, the race celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2025 with a sold-out field, and the 2026 edition drew a record 5,100 combined half marathon and 5K finishers, with women making up 50 percent of entries for the first time. The race doubles as the Lindsays Scottish Half Marathon Championships and the North District Championships. The course starts at Bught Park on Bught Road, follows the River Ness past Inverness Castle, heads south along the B862 towards Dores, then loops back through the quiet residential streets of Torbreck, Lochardil, and Drummond before finishing on the running track inside Queen's Park Stadium at Inverness Sports Centre. The route is entirely on tarmac except for a short grass crossing at the finish, and its flat profile makes it a popular target for personal bests. Entrants must be at least 17 years old on race day, and there is a generous 3-hour-30-minute time limit. Half marathon runners receive their event pack, including a timing-chip bib, by post ahead of race day rather than collecting it in person. The next edition takes place on Sunday, March 14, 2027, at 11:30 AM, with early bird entry now open.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Medium-sized race
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Good crowd energy
Bught Park, Bught Road - race start alongside the River Ness
Inverness Castle - passed on the route through the city centre
River Ness - the course follows the riverbank for much of its length
Queen's Park Stadium, Inverness Sports Centre - finish line on the running track
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom
GB
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Minimum age 17 on race day
- Course record set at the inaugural 1985 race remains among the fastest in event history
Required Documents
- None required for UK residents; overseas entrants collect their timing-chip bib in person on race morning
Entry Methods
- Online via the official Inverness Half Marathon website or the Let's Do This booking platform
- UK-resident entrants receive their event pack, including bib and timing chip, by post in late February
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Entries are non-refundable and non-transferable per standard UK road-race booking terms
Doubles as the Lindsays Scottish Half Marathon Championships and the North District Championships for the fourth consecutive year as of the 2026 edition.
The 2025 edition marked the race's 40th anniversary and sold out with 3,355 half marathon entrants and 1,500 5K entrants.
The 2026 edition set a participation record of roughly 5,100 combined half marathon and 5K finishers, with women making up 50 percent of entries for the first time.
A companion 5K fun run starts and finishes near the same venue on the same morning.
No corporate title sponsor as of the 2027 edition; consistently listed and known simply as the Inverness Half Marathon.
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