Switzerland’s 10 biggest marathons

Switzerland isn’t just a land of towering peaks and famous chocolate. It has carved out a real identity in road running too, with slickly organised city races, lakeside marathons and alpine courses that push the body to its limits. Every Swiss marathon has its own story: the one that draws international elites, the one built for a PB, or the one that turns a steady stride into a full-on travel adventure. Here are ten must-runs, from Zurich to Geneva, via Lucerne, Basel and Zermatt.

1. Zürich Marathon

✓ The Swiss urban icon

The Zürich Marathon, first on the list, is the can’t-miss race if you want to blend performance with a big-city backdrop. Starting on the lakefront, the course cuts through the old town and finishes on the iconic Sechseläutenplatz. Spectators line the streets, volunteers lift runners at every kilometre, and international elites put on a show of speed and tactics.

In 2025, Mark Kiptoo took the win in 2:09:16, a time that says plenty about the depth of the field. With 4,130 finishers, including nearly 900 women, Zurich nails the balance between party atmosphere and a genuinely quick course. It’s just as appealing to PB-chasers as it is to runners who want to race right in the heart of the city, with its cafés, bridges and lake as the backdrop.

2. Generali Genève Marathon

✓ International-city vibes

In Geneva, the marathon serves up a one-of-a-kind setting on the shores of Lake Geneva, with an international flavour that shows in both the field and the organisation. The route winds along the waterfront, threads through historic neighbourhoods, and opens up views of the Jet d’Eau with the Alps in the distance.

The 2025 edition brought together 25,428 finishers across all distances, including 5,512 in the marathon. The win went to Tsega Desta in 2:37:41, a reminder of the pacing and decision-making needed on a route that bites in places. Beyond the times, the Generali Genève Marathon is a strong all-round experience: easy accommodation options, global dining, and the pull of a cosmopolitan city that treats running as a way to share cultures.

3. SwissCityMarathon Lucerne

✓ Between lake and mountains

Lucerne blends city and nature in spectacular fashion. The marathon hugs the lake, cuts through the historic centre with its covered bridges, then slips beneath the surrounding peaks. The SwissCityMarathon Lucerne welcomed 11,444 participants in 2024 and close to 14,000 registrants in 2025, proof of its growing popularity.

The weekend has a festival feel from start to finish, with families, recreational runners and elites all mixing around the event. Lucerne offers a “do-it-all” course: runnable enough to chase a PB, but scenic enough for runners who like to look up and soak up central Switzerland. It’s one of those marathons where the overall experience matters far more than the finish time.

4. Lausanne Marathon

✓ Lake Geneva charm

Since its launch in 1993, the Lausanne Marathon has won runners over with its lakeside route, picturesque streets and friendly vibe. With around 1,200 finishers, it doesn’t have the scale of Zurich or Geneva, but that’s exactly the point: it feels more personal.

Elites like the course for its steady rhythm and the chance to push on certain sections, while amateurs feed off constant support and the particular energy of Lausanne’s waterfront. Racing in Lausanne means mixing performance with tourism, with lake-and-mountain views that turn every kilometre into a moment you actually want to remember.

5. Jungfrau Marathon

✓ The mountain as your opponent

Interlaken and Kleine Scheidegg host the Jungfrau Marathon every early September, now for 32 editions, and it’s probably Switzerland’s most famous mountain marathon. With 1,829 m of total elevation gain and around 3,700 finishers in 2019, this is not one for record hunters, but for runners chasing a challenge and jaw-dropping scenery.

The route snakes through the valley, passes alpine villages and climbs toward the glaciers of the Bernese Oberland. Every step is earned, every bend reveals a different view. Like plenty of races, it calls itself “the most beautiful marathon in the world”, but it does lure runners who want to test themselves while taking in the Swiss Alps, with an endless sea of mountains as the payoff.

6. Neujahrsmarathon Zürich

✓ Kick off the year at full speed

Zurich’s New Year’s marathon is an unusual tradition. With 1,041 finishers in 2025, the Neujahrsmarathon Zürich delivers a more intimate experience, far from the big-city crowds. Racing on 1 January sets the tone for the year ahead: the course runs through a still-quiet city, spectators are few but vocal, and the kilometres tick by in a festive, symbolic atmosphere. It draws runners who like something different, and who enjoy starting the year with an ambitious but doable goal.

7. Zermatt Gornergrat Marathon

✓ Altitude adrenaline

The Gornergrat Marathon in Zermatt is the alpine testpiece. With around 1,100 finishers, it’s a tough course, with big climbs and spectacular mountain scenery. Every kilometre has to be fought for, but the visual reward is enormous: glaciers, snow-capped summits and Matterhorn views make it truly unique. This isn’t for runners looking to go fast; it attracts athletes who’d rather trade pure speed for a proper mountain experience they won’t forget.

8. Three Countries Race (3Laenderlauf)

✓ Rhine-side running city

Basel offers a flat, fast marathon that runs through this Rhine-side city and its picture-postcard neighbourhoods, crossing Switzerland,
France and Germany. Less publicised than Zurich or Geneva, the Three Countries Race is still a great pick for runners who want an attainable time while getting a taste of Swiss urban life. Bridges over the Rhine and historic buildings set the scene, and the organisation is experienced and professional.

9. Winterthur Marathon

✓ The local experience

The Winterthur Marathon is a smaller-scale alternative, but just as well run. With a men’s course record of 2:28:49 set in 2022, it appeals to runners aiming for a realistic performance target. Expect a friendly atmosphere, plenty of volunteers on the course and an encouraging crowd. If you’re after something more intimate, Winterthur pairs a solid racing goal with a real slice of Swiss local life.

10. Zürcher Silvesterlauf Marathon

✓ Finish the year in style

Zurich’s end-of-year marathon tradition draws thousands of participants, even though the event puts more emphasis on shorter formats like the 10 km or the half marathon. Scheduled for 14 December this year, it’s a fixture of the Swiss running scene. Costumes, music and a festive vibe shape the day, a perfect way to close out the year on a sporty, joyful note.

➜ Discover all races in Switzerland