London Marathon Events acquires Caledonian Concepts and Loch Ness Marathon

November 12, 2024

London 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, adding its first major mass participation events in Scotland to the company’s portfolio.

Both companies were founded by Malcolm and Caroline Sutherland in 2006. More than 19,880 participants took part in the three events in 2024 raising an estimated £1 million for charities across the Highlands, Scotland and the UK. Since its inception, the Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running has raised more than £14.5 million 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, CEO of Caledonian Concepts and Loch Ness Marathon Ltd, 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.”

London Marathon Events 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 £108.5 million to projects and organisations that inspire activity across the UK.

Malcolm and Caroline will continue to lead their existing team as well as an army of dedicated local volunteers to deliver the Loch Ness portfolio of events, supported by the expertise of LME.

This is the latest acquisition in LME’s expansion programme. Over the past two years LME, which was founded in 1981, has acquired the Brighton Marathon weekend and the Bath Half Marathon. It has expanded into Wales through its partnership with Run 4 Wales and into trail running through its acquisition of a majority share of Maverick Events.

In April 2024, together with UK Athletics and the Great Run Company, LME set up Athletic Ventures, a groundbreaking joint venture created to transform the future and growth of athletics in the UK from playground to podium and to deliver major athletics events, including the annual Diamond League meeting in London and the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.

LME has also invested in Coopah, the Run Coaching App which provides personalised training plans for runners of all abilities over any distance.

Hugh Brasher said: “This is a very exciting time for London Marathon Events. In April 2025 we celebrate the 45^thedition of the London Marathon which is the most popular marathon on the planet and has raised more than £1.3 billion for charity. Over the last 44 years, we have inspired millions of people to become and remain active and worked with partners all over the UK and internationally, through our role in the Abbott World Marathon Majors, to demonstrate the physical and mental health benefits of an active lifestyle.”

Malcolm Sutherland added: “The synergy between Caledonian Concepts/Loch Ness Marathon and London Marathon Events was key for this acquisition to take place. The LME team is as committed as we are to inspiring inclusivity in sport, promoting the benefits of being active, and supporting our local communities and charities. Together, we can take things to the next level and further promote the events as some of the best in the world.”