Jungfrau-Marathon 2025

Yodel-Ay-Hee-Hoo 🎶

Head to Switzerland, in Interlaken for the breathtaking experience of the Jungfrau Marathon🇨🇭. You'll be running in the Jungfrau Region, in the Bernese Oberland, at the foot of the Swiss Alps 🏔️. The scenery is going to feel unreal. Majestic peaks, lush meadows, and picturesque villages that look like they’ve popped out of a Ricola commercial await you. You’ll feel like you’re stepping into the animated world of Heidi 😍.

You're already pumped for this extraordinary race 🤩. Running through the heart of the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn Natural Site, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is bound to motivate you 🔥. But before you tackle the grueling ascent, a little history lesson 🕰️. This epic race was conceived by Heinz Schild, the mind behind the Grand Prix de Berne. In 1993, the director of the Jungfrau Railway asked Heinz to create a race to celebrate the railway's 100th anniversary 🚞. Heinz took on the challenge and created a mountain marathon from Interlaken. In September that same year, 1,500 brave souls set off in snowy conditions ❄️. The race even paired with the Mount Fuji race in Japan for its inaugural run 🇯🇵. Since then, the Jungfrau Marathon has earned its elite status, becoming one of the most renowned mountain marathons globally, drawing more and more runners... including you this year 🫵.

As for the course, get ready for a cramp-filled landscape festival 🏞️. Start in downtown Interlaken, running alongside the Lake Brienz until you reach Bönigen, at 597 meters elevation. At the 10th kilometer, the real challenge begins. Climb from Wilderswil, head towards Zweilütschinen and then Lauterbrunnen. A friendly tip: grab a bite and a deep breath because between km 20 and the finish line, you’ll face 1,043 meters of elevation gain 📈. Your calves will scream louder than a yodeler after several schnapps 🤣. You’ll pass by the Staubbach Falls, skim the legendary Lauberhorn ski run, cross over moraines, and gaze up at the Mönch, the Jungfrau... until you ascend to the top of the Eigergletscher, at 2,320 meters elevation. It’s (almost) child's play, right? 😅 And if you're not quite ready to join the top marathoners, don’t worry 🧘. You can warm up with the “Harder Run Race”, a short 4.4 km with 755 meters of elevation gain, or enjoy the “Minimarathon”: an unranked 4.2195 km open to all levels. This year, the marathon is partnering with PluSport, a Swiss disability sports center 🤝. The program includes a 200 m “Para” sprint and disability inclusion in all events, because the beauty of sport lies in inclusion 🫶. There will also be children's races 👶.

Once at the summit, you have two missions 2️⃣. First, recover, regain your strength, and clear your mind 🥵. Then, take a cable car down to Grindelwald. Here, you’ll find a pasta party, a massage area... and a well-deserved shower 🚿. Besides, you didn’t come to Switzerland for just a round trip. Once in the area, take some time to relax in Lauterbrunnen, an idyllic village straight out of a fairy tale 🧚. Imagine watching one of Switzerland’s largest waterfalls while enjoying some delicious alpine cheese 🧀. Speaking of which, the local cuisine will delight you: fondue, raclette, Bernese platter, rösti... the traditional dishes are as robust as the marathon’s elevation gain! 🫕

So, are you ready to take on the Swiss mountain? 🚀