What to do in Lausanne on marathon weekend?

Friday and Saturday: how to prepare for your race without burning out your calves on the slopes? ⛰️

First thing to know: Lausanne climbs like a ski resort, between the lake and its upper neighborhoods. Your best ally is called the m2 metro, reputed to be among the steepest in the world 🚇 . It's best to save your quads for Sunday.

Bib pick-up takes place at the Auguste Piccard sports hall, chemin de Bellerive 36: Friday, October 23 from 3 pm to 6 pm, Saturday the 24th from 11 am to 6 pm, and even Sunday the 25th from 7 am for latecomers. The site borders the lake. So follow up with your shake-out run on the Ouchy quays, as flat as Lake Geneva on a morning without the bise wind.

For a visit that spares your legs, head to the Olympic Museum, just a few strides from the quays. Lausanne has hosted the IOC headquarters since the time of Pierre de Coubertin, and the race itself came into being in the wake of the museum's opening.

On Saturday evening, a plate of pasta is a must and your alarm needs resetting: the night of October 24 to 25 marks the switch to winter time. An extra hour of sleep the night before a marathon? We'll take it 😴 .

Sunday: what to do in Lausanne on marathon day, depending on your distance? 🏁

The Lausanne Marathon plays a three-part score, all starting from place de Milan. The half marathon opens the ball at 8:40 am, the marathon follows at 10:05 am, then the 10 km sets off at 2 pm, followed by the walk and Nordic walking. Planning tip: half marathon runners, showered by noon, will cheer on the marathoners on their return along the quays, while 10 km entrants will spend the morning as supporters.

As for the course, you'll run alongside Lake Geneva through Pully, Lutry and Cully, at the foot of the Lavaux terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Turn around at Vevey, then head back the way you came. With 80 m D+ for 146 m D-, the course stays fast, ideal for going after a qualifying time: the race is among the Boston qualifying races.

A little local bonus: the aid stations serve chocolate from km 11 🍫 . At the finish, place Bellerive, a hot broth awaits you. For the legend, Ethiopian Tesfaye Eticha won the race seven times 🏆 . Your bib also supports the Léman Hope association, which uses sailing to support young people in cancer remission: a charity race.

After the finish line: Lavaux, Chaplin and fondue, Vaud-style recovery 🧀

Sunday evening, head up (by m2, always) to Notre-Dame Cathedral. Every night, from 10 pm to 2 am, a watchman calls out the hour from the top of the tower, a centuries-old tradition 🔔 . Finish with a half-and-half fondue: after 42 km, melted cheese counts as recovery.

On Monday, see your route from another angle. The Belle Époque paddle steamers link Ouchy to Vevey, passing along the vineyards you brushed past the day before ⛴️ . In Vevey, say hello to the statue of Charlie Chaplin, who spent his last years in Corsier-sur-Vevey, up on the heights.

Still got a bit of juice left? Push on to Montreux and the Chillon Castle, perched on the water 🏰 . Elevation lovers will be back in summer for the Montreux Trail Festival.

A packed weekend 🦵

Bib pick-up at Bellerive, a night lengthened by an hour, chocolate at km 11 and fondue as recovery: the Lausanne Marathon ticks all the boxes of a weekend by the lake 🎯 . Easy half marathon, 10 km with friends or a timed marathon, choose your distance, book your bib and see you at place de Milan!