Starting in St. Niklaus, situated in the lowest-lying mountain valley in Switzerland, and ending on Riffelberg or on Gornergrat, the highest-altitude finish line in Europe at 2,585 m, the Zermatt Marathon is the supreme alpine racing challenge. This event will be the most exciting and ambitious marathon competition in Europe. On the first 21 kilometres of the race from St. Niklaus to Zermatt, the course continues through the valley floor, mainly along the left bank of the Vispa River. The half-marathon distance will be reached at the Zermatt Bahnhofstrasse. From there, the course winds along an alpine road up to Sunnegga. The next leg of the race is via Gant, and after a stretch of flat land, competitors will reach Riffelalp at 2,222 m Here is where the heat is really on! Because over the remaining kilometres an elevation of almost 400 metres has to be overcome before finally reaching the finish at 2,585 m on Riffelberg by Gornergrat.
While the runners of the Zermatt Marathon pass the chapel on the Riffelberg and have the finish within reach, the runners of the Ultra Zermatt Marathon will still have exactly 3.4 kilometers and 514 high meters to achieve. The view from the Gornergrat at 3’089 meters is unique and will compensate for all the efforts. If you don’t have the heart for a marathon, haven’t trained enough for the ULTRA, haven’t found a relay partner, or simply want to enjoy the running adventure “On the most beautiful mountain in the world” on your own, you can run the half marathon. With the start in Zermatt and the finish at Riffelberg, you run on the tougher but undoubtedly much more attractive section of the course. Practically no downhill sections add to the value of the half marathon at the foot of the Matterhorn. The 1000 starting places are much sought-after, and you also benefit from the full all-round package for the half marathon.
Go on – it’s worth it to get hold of one of the 800 starting places of the Ultra Zermatt Marathon.
If you don’t have the heart for a marathon, haven’t trained enough for the ULTRA, haven’t found a relay partner, or simply want to enjoy the running adventure “On the most beautiful mountain in the world” on your own, you can run the half marathon. With the start in Zermatt and the finish at Riffelberg, you run on the tougher but undoubtedly much more attractive section of the course. Practically no downhill sections add to the value of the half marathon at the foot of the Matterhorn. The 1000 starting places are much sought-after, and you also benefit from the full all-round package for the half marathon.
