Innes Jamieson of Deeside Thistle Cycling Club claimed the fastest man title at the 2026 Etape Loch Ness on Sunday 26 April, completing the 66-mile closed-road circuit around the shores of the iconic Scottish loch in a time of 2 hours, 45 minutes and 41 seconds — his first career win at the event.
The 38-year-old from Sauchen in Aberdeenshire finished 46 seconds clear of Donald Beaton from Edinburgh, who crossed the line in 2:46:27. Krzysztof Pater of Moray Firth Cycling Club rounded out the men’s podium in 2:48:00.
On the women’s side, Leah Cuthbertson — a microbiology lecturer at the University of Leicester and member of Welland Valley Cycle Club — took the fastest woman title in 2:51:41, also a career first. Her margin of victory was razor-thin: Heather Shanks of North Argyll Cycle Club in Oban finished just one second behind in 2:51:42. Sammie Mitchell of Ross-shire Cycling Club in Avoch completed the women’s podium in 2:57:19.
The 2026 edition was a record-breaker, with 6,500 riders taking to the closed road course — described by organizers as “wee bit hilly” — with over 4,100 feet of ascent.
More than 1,000 cyclists rode in support of Macmillan Cancer Support, the event’s official charity partner, with donations on track to surpass £300,000.
The route features a demanding King of the Mountain climb — 4.8 miles long, gaining 1,250 feet with gradients reaching 12% — departing Fort Augustus at the midpoint of the loch circuit before the final run back into Inverness.
The 2027 edition takes place Sunday 25 April, with registration typically opening in October.
Photo Credit: Etape Loch Ness
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