Zurich Marathon Guide: Tips, Dates & Local's Advice (2025)

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Running the Zurich Marathon is a unique experience.

As I lace up my running shoes and step out onto the streets of Zurich, I'm reminded of why this city hosts one of Europe's most beloved marathons. The crisp morning air, the glint of sunlight on Lake Zurich, and the buzz of excitement from fellow runners create an atmosphere that's electric and inspiring.

Zurich Marathon 2025: The Essentials

Mark your calendars for April 13, 2025. The Zurich Marathon offers more than just the full distance. There's a half marathon (21.1 km), a city run (10 km), and even a team run for those who prefer to share the challenge. But it's the full marathon that truly showcases what makes this event special.

Known as Switzerland's fastest marathon course, Zurich boasts an impressive statistic: 70% of participants achieve personal bests here. With only 98 meters of total elevation gain, it's even flatter than the famed Berlin Marathon.

And in 2025, runners will experience a new finish line at Sechseläutenplatz, adding an extra touch of excitement to the race.

Breakdown of the Race Course

The Zurich Marathon course is a love letter to the city, taking runners on a journey through its most beautiful and iconic areas. Here's what you can expect.

The route begins at Quaibrücke, where runners are greeted by the picturesque views of Lake Zurich. As you make your way through the city center in the first 8 km, you'll pass through the upscale Bahnhofstrasse shopping district and the historic Lindenhof square.

From there, the course takes you on a scenic tour along Lake Zurich. This outbound stretch from kilometer 8 to 25 is where you'll find your rhythm, running through charming residential areas and past yacht clubs, all while enjoying breathtaking views of the Alps in the distance.

The turnaround point at Thalwil (km 25) marks the psychological midpoint of the race. Here, you'll often find live music to boost your spirits as you begin the journey back to the city center.

The return route hugs the lakeside, offering a gentle descent that can help tired legs in the latter stages of the race. The final 2 km bring you back into the heart of Zurich, with the new finish line at Sechseläutenplatz providing a grand stage for your triumphant finish.

I still remember my first Zurich Marathon in 2016. The energy of the crowd along Bahnhofstrasse was incredible, carrying me through those early kilometres. But it was the serene beauty of the lakeside run that truly captured my heart.

Pro Tip: Download the official GPX file to visualize the course on your training runs. This will help you prepare for the subtle inclines and declines along the route. Also, check out the official course map.

Section	Highlights	Elevation Change
Start at Quaibrücke	Lake Zurich views, Bürkliplatz energy	410m → 408m
City Center (KM 3-8)	Bahnhofstrasse shopping district, Lindenhof historic square	Flat
Lake Zurich Outbound (KM 8-25)	Residential areas, yacht clubs, alpine vistas	+3m gradual climb
Turnaround at Thalwil (KM 25)	Psychological midpoint with live music	411m peak elevation
Return Route (KM 25-40)	Lakeside path with spectator hotspots	Gentle descent
Final 2KM	New finish line at Sechseläutenplatz	408m → 408m

Training Strategies for Success

Preparing for a marathon is a journey in itself, and the Zurich Marathon deserves a well-thought-out training plan. Here's a basic 16-week outline to get you started:

Weeks 1 to 4 focus on building your base. Aim for 3 to 4 runs per week, gradually increasing your weekly mileage. Include one tempo run each week to work on your speed.

Give the trails of the Green Marathon a shot - they will take you all over Zurich in preparation for the marathon:

Green Marathon Zurich - Zurich Marathon — Copyright Green Marathon Zürich

Weeks 5 to 12 are where the real work happens. This is when you'll want to introduce those crucial long runs. I've found that back-to-back long runs on weekends (a longer run on Saturday followed by a medium-long run on Sunday) can really boost your endurance.

The final 4 weeks are all about tapering. Reduce your mileage gradually, but maintain some intensity with short speed intervals. This is also the time to fine-tune your race-day nutrition strategy.

One lesson I learned the hard way in my 2016 race was the importance of proper pacing. I went out too fast, caught up in the excitement, and paid for it after the 30 km mark. Now, I use the first 5 km as a warm-up, keeping my pace 10 to 15 seconds per kilometer slower than my goal pace. It's made a world of difference in my race experience.

Spectator's Guide: Where to Cheer

If you're supporting a runner or just want to soak in the atmosphere, here are some prime viewing locations:

Bürkliplatz, at the start and finish, offers an electric atmosphere with a live DJ and plenty of amenities. Bahnhofstrasse provides an urban canyon effect that amplifies the cheers.
For a more serene experience, head to Mythenquai along the lake.
And if you want to catch runners at a strategic midpoint, the turnaround at Thalwil often features local brass bands and a festive beer garden.

Pro Viewer Tip: Use the RaceResult LIVE tracking app to monitor your runner's progress through 12 timing mats along the course.

Weather Preparation: Expect the Unexpected

April in Zurich can be unpredictable. I've run this race in everything from snow flurries to bright sunshine. The key is to be prepared for anything. A layering system is your best friend here. Start with a tech base layer, add a light windbreaker, and consider bringing a waterproof vest with good ventilation.

After my chilly experience in 2016, I never show up to the start line without arm warmers and a pair of throwaway gloves. It's better to have them and not need them than to spend the first 10 km with numb fingers!

Community Spirit and Charity

What sets the Zurich Marathon apart is its sense of community. When I participated, the largest charity group, Team Asha, raised funds for education in India. Over 500 volunteers from the Zurich Lions Club usually manage the hydration stations. And 30% of registration fees go towards supporting urban green spaces in Zurich.

Post-Race Recovery Protocol

Once you cross that finish line, your journey isn't over. Take time to celebrate your achievement! Get your medal engraved at the Swiss Timing booth and try some Rivella, a uniquely Swiss sports drink that's an acquired taste but beloved by locals.

For recovery, I swear by a gentle walk along the Limmat River promenade. In the days following, consider treating yourself to a float therapy session at Hürlimann Spa or renting compression boots from the Runner's High store.

And don't forget to refuel - a fondue feast at Fribourg Fountain is my personal favorite way to carbo-load, Swiss style!

Overview of Zurich Running Events 2025

While the Zurich Marathon in April is the crown jewel, Zurich's running calendar is packed with events year-round.

Kicking off the year is the popular Neujahrsmarathon in Zurich. The former Winterthur Marathon was relaunched in 2025 as the Grand Prix Winterthur, taking place in May. There is a dedicated map of the Grand Prix Winterthur track for anyone who wants to walk or run it at their own leisure.

The Forchlauf in June is a mountainous challenge with a 550-meter elevation gain. The Berglauf-Cup in August offers a five-day stage race near Uetliberg.

And finally, the Greifenseelauf in September features a night race with light installations along the Greifensee lake.

Event	Date	Distance	Terrain	Unique Feature
Neujahrsmarathon	Jan 1	42.2K	Urban/Rural	New Year's Day marathon
Grand Prix Winterthur	May 25	5M-10M	Urban	Charity-focused with costume category
Forchlauf	Jun 11	7.4K-21K	Mountain	550m elevation gain
Berglauf-Cup	Aug 12-16	24K total	Alpine	5-day stage race near Uetliberg
Greifenseelauf	Sep 20	5.5K-21K	Lakeside	Night race with light installations