OCHSNER SPORT Zürich Marathon
The Lowdown
The OCHSNER SPORT Zürich Marathon has grown since its launch in the early 2000s into Switzerland’s premier spring road-racing event, attracting a strong mix of elite athletes and enthusiastic international amateurs. The race is an important fixture on the European marathon calendar and showcases Zürich’s commitment to sport and community, with local clubs, volunteers and corporate partners providing robust logistical support and a festive race-week atmosphere. The course offers classic Swiss scenery: a largely flat and fast route that follows the shores of Lake Zürich, threads through the city center past landmarks such as Quaibrücke and Sechseläutenplatz, skirts the Limmat river, and provides panoramic views of the lake and distant Alps on clear days. Runners enjoy wide, well-signed roads, lively crowd support in central neighborhoods, and a memorable finish in a stadium-style environment that makes the closing kilometers both exciting and spectator-friendly. Participants consistently praise the organization, multilingual race services, and the high-quality aid stations that combine Swiss efficiency with warm local hospitality. The event is AIMS-certified and serves as an official Boston Marathon qualifying course, making it attractive both to competitive runners chasing fast times and to recreational athletes seeking a scenic, well-supported marathon experience.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Medium-sized race
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Good crowd energy
2025 edition posts all-time participation high — 9,812 finishers
Apr 13, 2025The 2025 OCHSNER SPORT Zürich Marathon recorded its largest field to date with 9,812 official finishers across marathon, half-marathon and relay categories, surpassing the previous record by roughly 1,100 finishers. Registration for the 2026 race sold out in under four weeks, prompting organizers to add extra charity and relay spots for 2026.
Course reprofiled in 2024 to reduce hills and improve PB potential
Oct 1, 2024Organizers announced a revised marathon route for the 2024 and subsequent editions that straightened two key sections through Seefeld and lowered cumulative elevation by approximately 12 meters. The adjustment was explicitly made to offer a faster, more consistent course profile and has been cited by elites as contributing to quicker second-half splits.
This race qualifies for the Boston Marathon
Race Weekend
Other distances available
Notable Landmarks
Bürkliplatz
Traditional start area on the lakefront near Bahnhofstrasse and the Quaianlagen promenades
Quaibrücke / Zürcher Seepromenade
Scenic crossing and long lakeside running section with views across Lake Zurich
Bahnhofstrasse
Iconic shopping boulevard where runners pass through central Zurich's main street
Sechseläutenplatz & Zurich Opera House
Large open plaza and cultural landmark beside the lakeshore
Old Town (Altstadt) & Limmatquai
Narrow historic streets along the Limmat river with medieval buildings and cheering crowds
Grossmünster
Landmark twin-towered church visible from the course as runners pass through central Zurich
Uetliberg / Käferberg viewpoints
Elevated sections offering panoramic city and lake views (seen from nearby hills/views along the route)
Zurich, Switzerland
CH
Based on nearby accommodations
- Minimum age 18 years on race day for the marathon
- Valid online registration and paid entry required before the registration deadline
- Medical fitness and training appropriate for marathon distance; medical clearance recommended for participants with known health issues
- Race bib and timing chip must be worn visibly and are non-transferable
- Participants must comply with race rules, marshal and volunteer instructions and follow the marked course
- Cut-off time applies for the marathon (organiser set cut-off; participants must finish within event time limits)
- No assistance from personal pacers on bicycles or other wheeled devices unless explicitly authorised by organisers
- No animals allowed on the course
- Participants must carry valid identification and emergency contact information
- Anti-doping regulations apply; participants must comply with any testing requested by organisers or authorities
- Photo ID (passport or national ID)
- Proof of age (e.g., passport or ID card)
- Signed liability waiver/registration confirmation
- Medical certificate or physician clearance (if requested)
- Emergency contact details
- Online Registration
- Charity Entry
- Tour Operator
- Club/Team Entry
- Elite/Invitation
Cancellation & Refunds
Policy details
Registrations are non-refundable
Bib transfers to another person permitted until 30 days before race with an administrative fee
Name changes and distance category changes allowed until 30 days before race (fee may apply)
If the event is cancelled by organizers, registrants will be offered full refund or deferral to the next edition
No refunds or deferrals for no-shows or medical reasons unless supported by official documentation and approved by organizers
The course is scenic and largely flat, running along the shores of Lake Zurich and through the historic Old Town with a finishing lap inside Letzigrund stadium.
Finishers receive a custom medal and a technical finisher shirt, and there is a large post-race food area with hot meals and a beer garden for participants.
The race weekend includes an expo with gear vendors and race pickup, a pasta party the evening before, and a children's mini-run on race day.
There are well-stocked aid stations approximately every 3–5 km offering water, isotonic drinks, energy gels and toilets, with medical support positioned throughout the course.
Public transportation is recommended for getting to the start (limited race-day parking), and competitive prizes are awarded by overall place and age-group categories.
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
Learn from fellow runners and share insights that will help the next person toe the line.