Running races in the Greater Zurich area

Zurich sits on the shores of Lake Zurich, where the Limmat leaves the calm waters to cross the historic center, between the Grossmünster and the Bahnhofstrasse. Switzerland's economic capital is anything but a sleepy city, and Zurich moves at a steady cruising pace 🏙️. Around it, the canton unfolds Winterthur, the Greifensee and wooded hills. For a running race in the Greater Zurich area, there is no shortage of routes.

The lakeshores and riverbanks offer miles of flat, fast terrain, perfect for chasing a personal best. Those who like some elevation climb the Uetliberg, the hill that overlooks the city, before heading back down to the quays. As for the weather, winter stays cool but is rarely unbearable, which explains why Zurich locals never put away their running gear between December and March ❄️.

The region's running race calendar leans toward the marathon. The Zürcher Silvesterlauf Marathon kicks things off on December 13, 2026, followed by the Neujahrsmarathon Zürich in Schlieren on December 30, 2026 to start the year right. The Zurich Marathon takes over on April 11, 2027 by the lake 🏅. Then there's the Winterthur Marathon on May 23, 2027, in the canton's second city. For other distances, the marathons in Zurich and half marathons in Zurich pages give all the details.

The city gave birth to Dadaism in 1916, and the taste for the absurd is still visible at the Sechseläuten, when a cotton snowman explodes on a bonfire to drive away winter 🔥. At the table, Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, sliced veal in cream sauce, rewards a long run better than an energy gel 🍽️. Whether you dream of a first marathon or of beating your personal best, choose your race according to your level and your wishes, then let the lake do the rest.