Lausanne Marathon

The Lausanne Marathon is widely regarded as one of Europe's most scenic races, running along the spectacular shores of Lake Geneva with the snow-capped Swiss Alps as a backdrop. Starting from the Ouchy waterfront in Lausanne — the Olympic Capital and home of the International Olympic Committee — the out-and-back course traces the lakeshore through the UNESCO World Heritage Lavaux vineyard terraces, one of Switzerland's most iconic landscapes. Ancient stone-walled terraces cascade down steep hillsides to the lake, and on a clear October morning, the reflections of the Alps in the water create an unforgettable visual experience. The turnaround point near the charming town of Vevey (famous for its giant fork sculpture in the lake and its Chaplin heritage) offers views toward the medieval Château de Chillon across the water. With roughly 1,700 marathon finishers and over 11,000 total participants across all distances, the race maintains an intimate yet international atmosphere backed by Swiss precision organization. The lakeside profile keeps things relatively runnable despite roughly 300 meters of total elevation gain, and cool October temperatures of 6-14°C make it ideal for strong performances. Expect a premium race experience in one of the world's most beautiful marathon settings.