Team Macmillan fields biggest ever contingent of charity runners at Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running

Macmillan Cancer Support is on course to raise over £110,000 at this month’s Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running.

The charity is set to field its biggest team of runners with around 350 supporters donning the colours of Team Macmillan.

Since 2009 Macmillan, the lead charity partner of the Baxters sponsored event, has seen almost 1,000 runners cross the finish line raising £350,000 – enough to pay for seven of Macmillan’s cancer specialist nurses for a year or operate one of its mobile information centres for over 10 months.

Rob Bason, challenge events programme manager for Macmillan, says the money generated by runners who pound the route on Sunday, 28 September, will help the charity support even more people in the Highlands who are living with cancer.

He added: “We are incredibly proud to be the official charity of the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running.

“As well as being one of the best mass participation running events the UK has to offer, its increasing popularity and the support it receives from the local community makes it a fantastic forum to be able to extend Macmillan’s work into the Highlands and to reach more people affected by cancer.

“Every day, 19 people in the north of Scotland hear the devastating news that they have cancer and, sadly, 10 people die from the illness. It is estimated that the number of people living with cancer in the area will double in the next 20 years, so every penny raised is vital to help us provide essential medial, practical and emotional support for patients and their families.”

As well as Macmillan the 5K, 10K and marathon events also raises money for Alzheimer Scotland, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, Highland Hospice, MND Scotland, Multiple Sclerosis Society Scotland – as well as 24 affiliate charities.

It is estimated that £800,000 was raised for good causes at the 2013 event.

Race director Malcolm Sutherland said, “We are very proud to have such a long and successful association with Macmillan. I know that they value being part of the event, but we also very grateful to them for what they bring to it. Their volunteers man three very noisy cheer stations along the route, encouraging all runners and not just Team Macmillan members.

“Organising an event like this is a massive challenge, but the real high point for me and the thing that gives me the greatest sense of satisfaction is knowing how much money has been raised for charities across the Highlands and the rest of the UK.

“We hope that the 2014 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running proves to be another great success story for charities, and wish all our charity runners the very best of luck with their amazing efforts.”