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 Place de Milan near Lausanne's old town — the city is the Olympic Capital and home of the International Olympic Committee — the out-and-back course traces the lakeshore toward La Tour-de-Peilz and the Vevey area, passing the UNESCO World Heritage Lavaux vineyard terraces, one of Switzerland's most iconic landscapes, before doubling back to a finish in front of the Olympic Museum fountain. 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. Runners enjoy the panoramic lake-and-Alps view twice on the way out and back. With over 11,000 finishers 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.