Marathons in Valais

The marathon in Valais is like no other. Where others cross avenues, this one follows a river, brushes past orchards and looks up at glaciers 🏔️. It can be run on the valley floor, between Martigny and Sion, or by tackling the peaks, on courses where the clock matters less than the view. Starts are often given in late morning, leaving time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast before setting off.

The Rhône Valley remains one of the sunniest in Switzerland. Spring starts enjoy temperatures of 10°C to 15°C, blossoming apricot trees and a steady valley breeze 🌸. Higher up, summer sets different rules: finishes above 2,000 m require accepting a slower pace and an extra layer in your pack. As for training, a few long runs on the valley roads are enough to test your rhythm, before adding elevation gain for the mountain races.

The Valais marathon calendar comes down to three events. The Marathon des terroirs du Valais BCVS, in Martigny, opens the season in May in a festive, costumed atmosphere 🎭. The Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon, in early July, climbs from Zermatt up to the Gornergrat, facing the Matterhorn. The Marathon Des Saveurs, in Sion in October, bills itself as the tastiest marathon in Switzerland 🍴. Those who prefer a gentler distance turn to the half marathons in Valais.

In Zermatt, there are no motor vehicles: the streets belong to pedestrians, horse-drawn carriages and runners, an ideal setting for a pre-race photo 📸. In Upper Valais, Gondo recalls a graver history at the Italian border, with the Gondo Marathon, a commemorative race organized as a family. Whether it's your first marathon or just another long run, choose your event, Valais knows how to welcome you. After the finish, Valais specialties, from raclette to apricot tarts, reward every finisher regardless of their time.