Half marathons in the canton of Geneva

The half marathon suits Geneva well: long enough to test yourself, short enough to enjoy the city 🏃. For a half marathon in the canton of Geneva, the canton offers a bright setting, with quays, bridges and large parks, and the lake always in sight.

The terrain offers a choice between flat and fast along the quays, and hilly in the Geneva countryside. The roads of the canton are well suited to steady paces, and the mild climate allows an almost continuous season, from February to December. The only downside: the bise, a cold wind that can slow down your times on exposed sections 🌬️. A Sunday long run along Lake Geneva is enough to lay the groundwork before the race. The parks on the right bank, the banks of the Rhône and the country paths offer plenty of loops to train at target pace, from interval sessions to 15 km endurance runs. An eight to ten-week plan is generally enough to approach the race with confidence.

The local half marathon calendar is built around one main event. In May, the Generali Genève Marathon offers a half marathon format in the heart of the city. Nearby, the Semi-marathon des Côtes de l'Orbe takes place in September in the canton of Vaud, followed by the Lausanne Marathon in October 🍂. The half marathons in Switzerland complete the choice for the whole season.

Geneva presents itself as the world capital of peace and diplomacy, a title that also applies to running pace: everyone negotiates theirs with their legs 😄. The city also has the Bains des Pâquis, a local institution where people dive into the lake all year round, perfect for recovery 🏊. Everyone will find their half marathon according to their level and current form, from a first 21 km to a personal best.