Running races in the canton of Geneva

Geneva has a lake, a water jet and a city that is better explored on foot than by car 🏃. For a running race in the canton of Geneva, the canton offers quays, bridges, parks and vineyard hillsides, all within a tiny area.

The terrain stays flat and fast along Lake Geneva, and becomes hilly as soon as you head out toward the Geneva countryside. The quays, the flower clock and the Jet d'eau, which reaches 140 m, provide the backdrop for urban runs. The mild climate allows you to run almost all year round, from February to December, with the bise wind as a regular guest 🌬️. The streets of the old town, cobbled and steep, are a reminder that here flat is never quite flat. The parks of the left bank and the banks of the Arve offer green loops, perfect for Sunday outings or interval sessions over the lunch break.

The Geneva running race calendar opens in February with the Antigel Run, which warms up the legs in the middle of winter. The Course des Ponts follows in April, then the Generali Geneva Marathon brings the city to life in May. In August, Run To Run takes place in Carouge, before the Balexert 20 km of Geneva in October 🍂. December closes the year with the Course de l'Escalade, a popular, costumed event that makes the city buzz. Running races in Switzerland offer more ideas for what comes next.

The canton is home to CERN, whose particle accelerator forms a 27 km ring beneath the French-Swiss border: one full lap is worth a half marathon and a bit more, but at a speed close to the speed of light 😄. Everyone will choose their race according to their level and desire, from a 5 km with friends to a marathon, with a hot chocolate break at the finish ☕.