Course Map
About this Race
The Jungfrau Marathon is one of the world's great mountain marathons, climbing from Interlaken deep into the Swiss Alps toward the Jungfrau massif, gaining enormous elevation as it ascends to the high country. The relentless climb makes it a true alpine endurance test rather than a fast course, set amid some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe. Held in September, it offers cool mountain conditions and breathtaking views. The savage ascent and the landscape are the reward. It suits hardy, hill-hardened runners who want a bucket-list mountain course and treat the climb itself as the achievement.
Course Insight
Jungfrau is one of the world's great mountain marathons: flat and deceptively gentle out of Interlaken before it rears up into a relentless climb of well over 1,500 metres toward the high Alps, much of it in the back half as the air thins. Forget any flat-course time and pace the long ascent by effort, saving your legs for the brutal final climb. The Alpine scenery is staggering reward for the work. Conditions can turn cold and raw up high. Respect the mountain and run within yourself, and the summit finish becomes the achievement.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to significant climbing (1999m), tough late hills, meaningful altitude.
Course Details
- Course type
- Point-To-Point
- Elevation gain
- 1999m
- Elevation loss
- 237m
- Highest point
- 2322m
- Lowest point
- 569m
- Net elevation
- +1762m
- Start
- Interlaken
- Cutoff time
- 6h 30m
Race History
The Jungfrau Marathon was first held in 1993, one of the world's great mountain marathons, climbing from Interlaken deep into the Swiss Alps toward the Jungfrau massif. Its relentless ascent amid spectacular scenery made it a true alpine endurance test rather than a fast course. From its founding it became a bucket-list mountain event. Held each September, it draws hardy runners to the high country.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Zurich (ZRH), Bern (BRN), Geneva (GVA) & Basel (BSL)
- Best area to stay
- Interlaken for proximity to the start and full lodging, Grindelwald or Wengen for scenic stays near the finish climb, and Lauterbrunnen for charming valley options.
- Getting to the start
- The start is in Interlaken; walk from town hotels, with trains available afterward to descend from the high finish.