Running races in Vaud

Running in Vaud often means running by the water 🌊. Lake Geneva, the largest lake in Western Europe, draws a blue line connecting Lausanne to Montreux, Vevey and Nyon. For a running race in Vaud, the courses alternate between flat quays, cobbled lanes and climbs up to the Lavaux vineyards. Small formats sit alongside the big events, offering a full range from your first bib to the queen distance.

The climate works in runners' favor. The lake softens the winters and cools the summers, so start lines are spread from March to November ☀️. Springs come early, summers are bright, and autumn blazes in the vineyards. Fans of elevation gain will be happy in the hills around Lausanne and in the Jura, where the roads climb quickly. A lake wind, the bise, sometimes blows along the quays: a light layer is a must. Running at dawn facing the lake remains a small luxury accessible to everyone.

The running race calendar covers every format. In Payerne, the 10 km de Payerne opens the season in early March, and in Lausanne, the 20 km de Lausanne takes over in April 🏃. In May, the Fyne Terra Semi-Marathon gathers amateurs in Yverdon-les-Bains, and in September the Semi-marathon des Côtes de l'Orbe runs through the vineyards in a festive atmosphere. October belongs to the Lausanne Marathon, while the Cassya Run brings together charity runners, also in Yverdon-les-Bains.

Lausanne, the Olympic capital, is home to the International Olympic Committee and its museum, a source of inspiration for finishers 🥇. In Yverdon-les-Bains, the thermal baths soothe your legs after the effort ♨️. After the race, a stroll along the Ouchy quays or a terrace facing the lake ends the day gently. From your first 5 km to the marathon, choose the distance that suits you, Vaud takes care of the atmosphere.