Inverness Half Marathon celebrates 40th milestone with sold-out event

March 3, 2025

Inverness Half Marathon is returning for 2025 this Sunday 9th March, 40 years after its first edition in 1985.

The 2025 event will also host the Scottish Half Marathon Championships and North District Championships for the third consecutive year.

Entry for Inverness Half Marathon and 5K have sold out early, with 3,355 signed up for the Half Marathon and 1,500 for the 5K. In the 5K event, 42% of participants are young runners from Highland schools and youth clubs. Participants age from six months in the 5K to 81 in the Half Marathon.

“We are really excited to be hosting the 40th Inverness Half Marathon & 5K,” said Malcolm Sutherland, CEO of Caledonian Concepts, organiser of the Inverness Half Marathon & 5K.

“It is fantastic to see runners of all abilities taking part each year, from those competing in the Scottish Half Marathon and North District Championships to those using it as a training race for events later in the year, fundraising for fantastic charities, or just doing it for fun! Of course, the event wouldn’t be possible without the support of our sponsors and partners, our fantastic team and amazing volunteers, and the locals who support the event and runners year after year.

“In the 40th year of the event, we’re delighted to be welcoming back some of our runners from 1985 and we’d love to see photos anyone has from the first Inverness Half Marathon. Whether it’s your first or 40th Inverness Half Marathon, we can’t wait to see you all on 9th March!”

Among the participants in 2025 are runners who also took part in the first Inverness Half Marathon, including Ros Jemmett from Alness. Taking part in 1985, aged 20, Ros is now marking her 60th year by running the Half Marathon for the third time.

“Inverness Half Marathon holds a special place in my heart,” explains Ros Jemmett. “As my first half marathon in 1985, I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate my 60th birthday year. The atmosphere is always great with everyone cheering you along so, this year, I’m hoping to run it faster than I did 40 years ago!”

The Inverness Half Marathon is supported by The Highland Council, Run4It, High5, Erdinger Alkoholfrei and Coopah Run Coach. The official charities for the 2025 event are Alzheimer Scotland, British Heart Foundation Scotland, Highland Hospice, New Start Highland, Mikeysline and SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health).

Taking place as part of the event, the Scottish Half Marathon Championships are open to scottishathletics members and North District Championships are open to scottishathletics members in the north of Scotland.

Mike Johnston, Convenor of the scottishathletics Road Running and Cross Country Commission, said: “The Inverness Half Marathon has a strong reputation for fast times and close finishes over the years, so we are delighted to bring the Scottish Half Marathon Championships and the North District Championships back to the Highlands again. To be part of the 40th anniversary of the event makes it even more special, and I look forward to seeing some fantastic performances on the day.”

Anyone who would like to share their photos from the first Inverness Half Marathon or early editions of the event, can email the team on [email protected].

There will be some temporary traffic restrictions in place on Sunday 9th March, please click here for details.