Next race
Sunday, 25 October 2026
9:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Lakeside scenic road
Elevation
Rolling · 150 m gain
150 m climbing
Race profile
The Lausanne Marathon attracts about 4,500 finishers each October along Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) with views of the French Alps across the water. The course passes the Olympic Museum, the Ouchy waterfront, and the Lavaux vineyard terraces. October autumn light on the lake makes it one of Switzerland's most scenic marathons.
Lausanne Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 4,500 finishers
Course & terrain
The Lausanne Marathon is a lakeside loop that begins and ends at the Olympic Museum in Ouchy and follows Lake Geneva through Lausanne, Pully, and toward the Lavaux vineyard terraces. The opening shoreline sections are easier because they stay flatter, the vineyard-side climbs and undulating roads are tougher, and spectators are strongest in Ouchy, in the village centres along the lake, and on the return to the museum finish.
The Lausanne Marathon course is rolling over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 150 metres of climbing and 140 metres of descent, with a net climb of 10 metres from start to finish.
Rolling · 150 m gain — approx. 453 m above sea level
↑ 150 m · ↓ 140 m · net +10 m
Registration
The Lausanne Marathon uses open registration at lausannemarathon.com with no ballot or qualifying time. Sign-up for the October race on Lake Geneva typically opens early in the year. The lakeside course draws strong Swiss and international participation and can sell out before race day.
Getting there
Geneva (GVA)
Geneva International Airport
51 km / 31 mi
Race footage
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Lausanne.
The Geneva Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers on an urban road in Geneva, Switzerland. The course starts and finishes at Plaine de Plainpalais. The route follows the Lake Geneva shore through Versoix and back. Mostly flat along the waterfront with Alpine views.
Next race: Sunday, 9 May 2027
The Marathon du Lac d'Annecy runs around one of Europe's cleanest alpine lakes, attracting about 3,500 runners each April. The course offers turquoise lake views, alpine peaks, and the medieval Annecy old town. April mountain-lake weather and a largely flat lakeside path make it one of France's most beautiful marathons.
Next race: Sunday, 11 April 2027
The Jungfrau Marathon is one of the world's most spectacular mountain marathons, drawing approximately 3,519 runners each September from Interlaken to Eigergletscher beneath the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. The course climbs 1,953 metres over 42.2 km on mountain trails and roads — a bucket-list challenge entirely unlike flat city marathons. September alpine weather and the Eiger Nordwand backdrop make it Switzerland's most iconic endurance event.
Next race: Saturday, 11 September 2027
The Swiss City Marathon Lucerne draws about 6,000 finishers each October around Lake Lucerne with alpine panorama views. The course passes the Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), the Lion Monument, and the lakeside promenade with Mount Pilatus and Rigi as backdrops. October crisp mountain air and flat lakeside paths make it Switzerland's largest marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026
The Marathon du Beaujolais draws approximately 4,000 finishers each November on a wine-country road in Villefranche-sur-Saone, France. It is one of France's most theatrical marathons, famous for costumes, music, and Beaujolais hospitality. The route passes vineyards, Beaujolais villages, chateaux, and festive wine-country aid stations. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Saturday, 21 November 2026
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Match a race to your goals — personal bests, sightseeing, atmosphere, or a major milestone — using course data and realistic expectations.
