Paul ColstonLondon Marathon Events (LME) has acquired Caledonian Concepts and Loch Ness Marathon Ltd, the organisers of the Loch Ness Marathon, Etape Loch Ness, Inverness Half Marathon and other events in Inverness and the Loch Ness area.
The acquired companies were founded by Malcolm and Caroline Sutherland in 2006. More than 19,880 participants took part in their three events in 2024, raising an estimated £1m for charities across the Highlands, Scotland and the UK. Since its inception, the Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running has raised more than £14.5m for charities.
Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events, said: “Caledonian Concepts and Loch Ness Marathon Ltd share our passion to inspire people of all ages and abilities to become active and to use sport and activity to transform lives. Malcolm, Caroline and their team have developed a fantastic series of events in a beautiful setting that support a network of charities both in Scotland and across the UK. They work closely with the local community to produce events that have a unique feel and relationship to local businesses and the area. We pledge to continue their work and build on all they have done.”
Malcolm Sutherland said: “We are extremely proud of what we have created in the Loch Ness Marathon, Etape Loch Ness and Inverness Half Marathon over the past 18 years. This acquisition is evidence of how incredible the events have become, and this is thanks to the hard work and passion of our fantastic team and volunteers, our sponsors, charity partners and stakeholders including the Highland Council, and the Highland community who welcome and cheer on participants from around the world every year.
“Our events are unique and that will not change. Our team will continue to work hard to deliver iconic events in our beautiful region, all while raising vital funds for numerous charities. What we have now, though, is the added energy and expertise of London Marathon Events, and we can’t wait for this next chapter.”
LME works with its parent charity, the London Marathon Foundation, to inspire activity, especially in the areas where it organises events, and passes its profits through corporate Gift Aid to its parent charity, which has now awarded more than £108.5m to projects and organisations that inspire activity across the UK.