Switzerland offers two ways to run a marathon: by the lakes, on fast courses in Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne or Lucerne, or in the mountains, with nearly 2,000 m of climbing at the Jungfrau and in Zermatt. Here are the 6 best marathons in Switzerland for 2027, with dates, courses and what to know before you enter.
The short answer
- In spring: Zurich (11 April 2027) along the lake, then Geneva (9 May 2027), finishing near the Jet d’Eau.
- In the mountains: Zermatt (3 July 2027, 1,840 m of climbing) and the Jungfrau (11 September 2027, 1,953 m of climbing).
- In autumn: Lausanne and its Lavaux vineyards, then Lucerne, in late October.
- Easy by train: Geneva, Lausanne and Zurich are well connected to the European rail network.
Contents
The 6 best marathons in Switzerland
1. Zurich Marathon: along the lake
The Zurich Marathon starts and finishes at the top of the lake basin, crosses the city centre and then follows Lake Zurich for most of the course. It’s Switzerland’s big spring marathon, run by elites and amateurs alike.
- Date: Sunday 11 April 2027
- Distances: marathon, half marathon and 10 km City Run
- Entry: on the official race website.
- Best for: a spring big-city marathon, with winter training.
2. Geneva Marathon: from the countryside to the Jet d’Eau
The Generali Geneva Marathon starts in the Geneva countryside, with views of Mont Blanc, then heads into the city to finish on the shore of Lake Geneva, near the Jet d’Eau. The marathon has 160 m of climbing and holds a World Athletics label.
- Date: Sunday 9 May 2027 (5K and 10K on Saturday 8 May)
- Distances: 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon and relay
- Entry: on the official race website.
- Best for: runners who want a lakeside spring marathon with Alpine views.
3. Zermatt Marathon: facing the Matterhorn
The Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon starts in St. Niklaus, at 1,116 m, and climbs to Riffelberg, at 2,585 m. Over 42.195 km, expect about 1,840 m of climbing and 405 m of descent, with the Matterhorn as a backdrop. An ultra version of 45.6 km continues to Gornergrat.
- Date: Saturday 3 July 2027
- Profile: about 1,840 m of climbing and 405 m of descent, according to Zermatt tourism.
- Entry: limited places, sign up early on the official website.
- Best for: runners comfortable on climbs and ready to hike the steep sections.
4. Jungfrau Marathon: the most famous mountain marathon
Founded in 1993, the Jungfrau Marathon starts in Interlaken and finishes at Eigergletscher, at 2,320 m, at the foot of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The course has 1,953 m of climbing. The course records belong to Jonathan Wyatt (2:49:01 in 2003) and Maude Mathys (3:12:56 in 2017).
- Date: Saturday 11 September 2027
- Profile: 42.195 km and 1,953 m of climbing. The first half is runnable around Interlaken, the second climbs into the high mountains.
- Entry: on the official race website.
- Best for: marathoners who want a legendary mountain race, not a fast time.
Coming from trail running? Our trail training plan builds elevation into your preparation.
5. Lausanne Marathon: through the Lavaux vineyards
The Lausanne Marathon is an out-and-back between Lausanne and Vevey, along Lake Geneva, on roads closed to traffic. The run through the terraced vineyards of Lavaux is the race’s calling card. On 25 October 2026, the 33rd edition drew 11,755 participants, including 2,399 marathon finishers. It was won in the rain by Guillaume Adam, co-founder of RunMotion Coach, in 2:25:28. Fiona Jungen won the women’s race in 2:50:36.
- Date: late October (the 2026 edition was on 25 October).
- Distances: 10K, half marathon and marathon
- Good to know: the marathon is a Boston qualifier.
- Best for: runners who want a lakeside autumn marathon.
6. SwissCityMarathon Lucerne: between lake and mountains
The SwissCityMarathon Lucerne passes the Chapel Bridge, follows Lake Lucerne around the Horw peninsula with views of the Central Swiss Alps, then runs through FC Luzern’s stadium and the old town to the finish. More than 30 bands play along the course.
- Date: late October (the 2026 edition was on 25 October).
- Distances: marathon, half marathon, duo marathon and 10K
- Entry: on the official race website.
- Best for: an end-of-season marathon in postcard scenery.
Which Swiss marathon should you choose?
| Race | 2027 date | Season | Main highlight | Climbing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich | 11 April | Spring | Along Lake Zurich | Not published |
| Geneva | 9 May | Spring | Mont Blanc views, lakeside finish | 160 m |
| Zermatt | 3 July | Summer | Facing the Matterhorn | About 1,840 m |
| Jungfrau | 11 September | Late summer | The mountain marathon legend | 1,953 m |
| Lausanne | Late October | Autumn | Lavaux vineyards | Not published |
| Lucerne | Late October | Autumn | Lake and Alps | Not published |
Chasing a time? Choose Zurich or Geneva. Want a challenge? Zermatt or the Jungfrau, but train as you would for a trail race.
How to prepare for a marathon in Switzerland
- Pick your side: road or mountain. Lake marathons are trained for like any classic marathon. For Zermatt or the Jungfrau, add hill sessions and fast uphill hiking.
- Plan for altitude. At the Jungfrau and Zermatt you finish above 2,300 m: the effort feels harder late in the race, so slow down before you get there.
- Work on your marathon pace for the lake races. Calculate your split times and practise holding them.
- Budget ahead. Switzerland is expensive: book accommodation early, especially in Interlaken and Zermatt.
A plan built for your race
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FAQ
What is the most famous marathon in Switzerland?
The Jungfrau Marathon, founded in 1993: 42.195 km from Interlaken to Eigergletscher, with 1,953 m of climbing.
Which Swiss marathon is best for a PB?
Zurich in spring or Geneva in May: city courses by the lake, much faster than the mountain marathons. Geneva has 160 m of climbing.
Can I get to a Swiss marathon by train?
Yes. Geneva, Lausanne and Zurich are well connected to the European rail network, and Swiss trains reach Interlaken and Zermatt too.
Is the Jungfrau Marathon doable for a road marathoner?
Yes, with the right preparation: the second half climbs hard and most runners hike the steep sections. Add hills and uphill hiking to your training.
Considering a neighbouring country? Discover our best marathons in Germany and our top 10 flattest marathons.
Ready to race in Switzerland? Start your 7-day free trial and let RunMotion Coach build your plan all the way to race day.
Updated 28 October 2026.
