Marathon
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.
Track properties
Length 42,195 km
Altitude difference + 1944m / - 444m
| Start St. Niklaus 1'116 m | |
| 08.30 am | Elite Runner & Block 1 Marathon + ULTRA |
| 08.33 am | 1st runner Marathon in relay |
| from 8.36 am | block starts Marathon + ULTRA |
Finish Riffelberg 2'582 m
3.45 am
| Checkpoints Closing times | |
| 01.40 pm | Sunnegga (km 31,7) |
| 02.55 pm | Riffelalp-Resort (km 39,1) |
| 03.45 pm | Finish Riffelberg (km 42,195) |
Every runner who reaches one of the checkpoints outside the closing times will neither be ranked nor entitled to the carious services Gornergrat Zermatt Zermatt Marathon such as catering, sanitary points, prizes, etc. A partial or entire reimbursement of the entry fee is rejected.
Registration
General terms and conditions
The collection and management of participant data is handled by DATASPORT and is based on their data protection regulations. With your registration you accept the competition regulations. We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance at the time of registration. The most common credit cards and Paypal etc. are available as payment methods at the registration. Bank transfer is not possible.
The registration is final. A change to a shorter distance is possible until mid-June and only in exceptional cases. Any difference in entry fees will not be refunded. A change of starting place to another person is possible until mid-June. A fee of CHF 20.00 will be charged to the new runner. Start numbers will be issued in the last week of June.
Click here to go directly to the registration (opens on 15 August)
Starting costs
till 31 december 2024: CHF 120.00 / € 120.00 (VAT Included)
till 28 february 2025: CHF 130.00 / € 130.00 (VAT Included)
till 30 april 2025: CHF 140.00 / € 140.00 (VAT Included)
from 1 mai 2025: CHF 150.00 / € 150.00 (VAT Included)
Included in the entry fee
Finisher-Shirt, medal (+ 5 CHF), transportation of clothes to the finish area, pasta voucher, free journey from Friday to Sunday: Brig-Zermatt (MGBahn), St. Niklaus – Grächen (Postal), Zermatt – Gornergrat (GGB) and Sunegga Zermatt (Zermatt Mountain Funicular)
Please note
As the finisher T-shirts are unisex, ladies need to order a size smaller. For example, those who normally wear size S, should for Zermatt Marathon, order a XS.
Prize money
Prize money (in Swiss francs) will be paid for the 5 fastest men and 5 fastest women. There are no starting bonuses at the Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon.
| 1st rank | CHF 2.000 |
| 2nd rank | CHF 1.500 |
| 3rd rank | CHF 1.000 |
| 4th rank | CHF 700 |
| 5th rank | CHF 500 |
Awards
Finisher T-Shirt, medal (+ 5 CHF), prize for all the best runners in every category. Online certificates can be printed out individually.
| Categories | |
| M/W 18 | M/W 55 |
| M/W 30 | M/W 60 |
| M/W 40 | M/W 65 |
| M/W 45 | M/W 70 |
| M/W 50 | |
| Ceremony finish area Riffelberg | |
| 01.00 pm | Marathon Overall Women + Men, rank 1 – 5 |
| 03.00 pm | all categories marathon, rank 1 - 3 |
Only runners who are present at the ceremonies are prize entitled!
| Luggage | |
| 08.10 am | Check-in in St. Niklaus near to the starting area |
| Till 5.30 pm | luggage Pick-up finish-area Riffelberg |
| 07.00 – 09.00 pm | Unclaimed luggage at the Information Desk in Zermatt |
Return journey to Zermatt
The Gornergrat Bahn (www.gornergrat.ch) runs from the finish to Zermatt at regular intervals. Runners travel free of charge with their start number.
Termination, reimbursement
The Zermatt Marathon Association does not reimburse the entry fee.
Neither will your entry fee be transferred to the following year. A cancellation insurance can be purchased concurrently with online registration at www.datasport.com. For further information, please go to: FAQ - frequently asked questions - questions and answers - Datasport
Track
See track plan (Map - Zermatt Marathon)
The marathon relay does not count towards the Upper Valais Running Cup (www.lsvo.ch) or the Valais Mountain Running Cup.
Ultramarathon
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.
Go on - it's worth it to get hold of one of the 800 starting places of the Ultra Zermatt Marathon.
The course
The 42'195 m certified length of the course are marked all the year by means of white indicators with the Zermatt Marathon logo. At race date, complementary signs (authorized or forbidden ways) are put in place. Race controller directions are to be observed imperatively
Track properties
Length 45,595 km
Altitude difference + 2458m / - 444m
| Start St. Niklaus 1'116 m.a.s.l | |
| 08.30 am | Elite & Top & Block 1 Runner Marathon + ULTRA |
| 08.33 am | 1st runner Marathon in relay |
| from 8.36 am | block starts Marathon + ULTRA |
Finish Gornergrat 3’089 m.a.s.l
04.45 pm
| Checkpoints Closing times | |
| 01.40 pm | Sunnegga (km 31,7) |
| 02.55 pm | Riffelalp-Resort (km 39,1) |
| 03.15 pm | ULTRA Riffelberg (km 42,0) |
| 04.45 pm | FINISH Gornergrat (km 45,595) |
Every runner who reaches one of the checkpoints outside the closing times will neither be ranked nor entitled to the carious services Gornergrat Zermatt Zermatt Marathon such as catering, sanitary points, prizes, etc. A partial or entire reimbursement of the entry fee is rejected.
Registration
General terms and conditions
The collection and management of participant data is handled by DATASPORT and is based on their data protection regulations. With your registration you accept the competition regulations. We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance at the time of registration. The most common credit cards and Paypal etc. are available as payment methods at the registration. Bank transfer is not possible.
The registration is final. A change to a shorter distance is possible until mid-June and only in exceptional cases. Any difference in entry fees will not be refunded. A change of starting place to another person is possible until mid-June. A fee of CHF 20.00 will be charged to the new runner. Start numbers will be issued in the last week of June.
Click here to go directly to the registration (opens on 15 August)
Starting costs
till 31 december 2024: CHF 140.00 / € 140.00 (VAT Included)
till 28 february 2025: CHF 150.00 / € 150.00 (VAT Included)
till 30 april 2025: CHF 160.00 / € 160.00 (VAT Included)
from 1 mai 2025: CHF 170.00 / € 170.00 (VAT Included)
Included in the entry fee
Finisher-Shirt, medal (+ 5 CHF), transportation of clothes to the finish area (Riffelberg), pasta voucher, free journey from Friday to Sunday: Brig-Zermatt (MGBahn), St. Niklaus – Grächen (Postal), Zermatt – Gornergrat (GGB) and Sunegga Zermatt (Zermatt Mountain Funicular)
Please note
As the finisher T-shirts are unisex, ladies need to order a size smaller. For example, those who normally wear size S, should for Zermatt Marathon, order a XS
Termination, reimbursement
The Zermatt Marathon Association does not reimburse the entry fee.
Neither will your entry fee be transferred to the following year. A cancellation insurance can be purchased concurrently with online registration at www.datasport.com. For further information, please go to: FAQ - frequently asked questions - questions and answers - Datasport
| Categories | |
| M/W 18 | M/W 55 |
| M/W 30 | M/W 60 |
| M/W 40 | M/W 65 |
| M/W 45 | M/W 70 |
| M/W 50 | |
Awards
Finisher T-Shirt, medal, prize for all the best runners in every category. Online certificates can be printed out individually.
Prize money
Prize money (in Swiss francs) will be paid for the 3 fastest men and 3 fastest women. There are no starting bonuses at the Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon.
| 1st rank | CHF 600.00 |
| 2nd rank | CHF 400.00 |
| 3st rank | CHF 200.00 |
| Ceremony ULTRA Marathon Winners, Party-Tent, «Obere Matten», Zermatt | |
| 06.00 pm | ULTRA Marathon Overall Women + Men, rank 1 – 3 |
| afterwards | all categories ULTRA Marathon, rank 1 – 3 |
Only runners who are present at the ceremonies are prize entitled!
Infrastructure
The hole infrastructure (showers, massage, luggage) remains on the Riffelberg
| Luggage | |
| 08.10 am | Check-in in St. Niklaus near to the starting area |
| Till 5.30 pm | Luggage Pick-up finish-area Riffelberg |
| 07.00 – 09.00 pm | Unclaimed luggage at the Information Desk in Zermatt |
Return journey to Zermatt
The Gornergrat Bahn (www.gornergrat.ch) runs from the finish to Zermatt at regular intervals. Runners travel free of charge with their start number.
A shuttle train will ferry runners from Gornergrat to Riffelberg every 12 minutes. On arrival on the Gornergrat, all ULTRA Marathon runners will receive a reflective foil blanket for protection from the wind and cold.
Wet weather ruling
Should adverse weather plauge the event, the managment holds the right to change the destination at short notice. The participants who have not been allowed to run to the Riffelberg due to bad weather will still be credited with the run.
Riffelberg as a finish for Ultra Marathon Runners
Runners who choose to stop on the Riffelberg and not continue up to Gornergrat Ultra Marathon finish line, will be included in the Marathon rankings. These runners will however, not be eligible for Zermatt Marathon category prizes or for awards in hard cash.
Track
See track plan
The ULTRA Marathon does not count towards the Upper Valais Running Cup or the Valais Mountain Running Cup.
Half Marathon - Zermatt-Riffelberg
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 800 starting places are much sought-after, and you also benefit from the full all-round package for the half marathon.
Track properties
Length 21,1 km
Altitude difference + 1336m / - 444m
Start Zermatt 1'616 m.a.s.l
10.12 am Bloc 1
10.15 am Bloc 2
10.18 am Bloc 3
10.27 am Bloc 4
Finish Riffelberg 2'582 m.a.s.l
03.45 pm
| Checkpoints Closing times | |
| 01.40 pm | Sunnegga (km 10,7) |
| 02.55 pm | Riffelalp-Resort (km 18,1) |
| 03.45 pm | Finish Riffelberg (km 21) |
Every runner who reaches one of the checkpoints outside the closing times will neither be ranked nor entitled to the carious services Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon such as catering, sanitary points, prizes, etc. A partial or entire reimbursement of the entry fee is rejected.
Registration
General terms and conditions
The collection and management of participant data is handled by DATASPORT and is based on their data protection regulations. With your registration you accept the competition regulations. We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance at the time of registration. The most common credit cards and Paypal etc. are available as payment methods at the registration. Bank transfer is not possible.
The registration is final. A change to a shorter distance is possible until mid-June and only in exceptional cases. Any difference in entry fees will not be refunded. A change of starting place to another person is possible until mid-June. A fee of CHF 20.00 will be charged to the new runner. Start numbers will be issued in the last week of June.
Starting costs
till 31 december 2024: CHF 95.00 / € 95.00 (VAT Included)
till 28 february 2025: CHF 110.00 / € 110.00 (VAT Included)
till 30 april 2025: CHF 120.00 / € 120.00 (VAT Included)
from 1 mai 2025: CHF 130.00 / € 130.00 (VAT Included)
The registration is final. A change to a shorter distance is possible until mid-June and only in exceptional cases. Any difference in entry fees will not be refunded. A change of starting place to another person is possible until mid-June. A fee of CHF 20.00 will be charged to the new runner. Start numbers will be issued in the last week of June.
Registration for the Gornergrat Zermatt half Marathon is now closed. The limited places for the running adventure between Zermatt and Riffelberg have all been allocated
Included in the entry fee
Finisher-Shirt, medal (+ 5 CHF), transportation of clothes to the finish area, pasta voucher, free journey from Friday to Sunday: Brig-Zermatt (MGBahn), St. Niklaus – Grächen (Postal), Zermatt – Gornergrat (GGB) and Sunegga Zermatt (Zermatt Mountain Funicular)
Please note
As the finisher T-shirts are unisex, ladies need to order a size smaller. For example, those who normally wear size S, should for Zermatt Marathon, order a XS.
Termination, reimbursement
The Zermatt Marathon Association does not reimburse the entry fee.
Neither will your entry fee be transferred to the following year. A cancellation insurance can be purchased concurrently with online registration at www.datasport.com. For further information, please go to: FAQ - frequently asked questions - questions and answers - Datasport
| Categories | |
| M/W 18 | M/W 55 |
| M/W 30 | M/W 60 |
| M/W 40 | M/W 65 |
| M/W 45 | M/W 70 |
| M/W 50 | |
Awards
Finisher T-Shirt, medal (+ 5 CHF), prize for the best runners in every category. Online certificates can be printed out individually.
Prize money
Prize money (in Swiss francs) will be paid for the 3 fastest men and 3 fastest women. There are no starting bonuses at the Gornergrat Zermatt Half Marathon.
| 1st rank | CHF 300 |
| 2nd rank | CHF 200 |
| 3rd rank | CHF 100 |
| Ceremonies finish area Riffelberg | |
| 2.00 pm | Half Marathon Overall Women + Men, place 1 – 3 afterwards all Categories Half Marathon, place 1 - 3 |
Only runners who are present at the ceremonies are prize entitled!
| Luggage | |
| Till 9.45 am | Luggage Drop off in Zermatt between Hotel Bahnhof and the entrance of the Gornergrat Bahn |
| ill 05.30 pm | Luggage Pick-up finish-area Riffelberg |
| 07.00 – 09.00 pm | Unclaimed luggage at the Information Desk in Zermatt |
Return journey to Zermatt
The Gornergrat Bahn (www.gornergrat.ch) runs from the finish to Zermatt at regular intervals. Runners travel free of charge with their start number.
Start area half marathon
The marathon relay does not count towards the Upper Valais Running Cup (www.lsvo.ch) or the Valais Mountain Running Cup.
Relay marathon – your run as a team
Not all runners dare to run a whole mountain marathon: 42,195 km of distance and 1944 m of total incline act as a deterrent.
After all, who doesn’t dream of arriving at Riffelberg, surrounded by 29 peaks above 4000 m with an unforgettable view of the majestic Matterhorn? The "Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon" relay-race makes it possible.
Each runner of the team achieves 21,097 km; from St. Niklaus to Zermatt (ascent: 608 m) for the first relay runner, and from Zermatt to Riffelberg (ascent: 1336 m) for the second relay runner.
While the second runner is fighting against the slopes, the first runner can take the train of the „Gornergrat Bahn“ for free (bib number mandatory as verification to the finish area on Riffelberg, where he can use the facilities of the Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon (hot showers, massage, extras).
Track properties 1st runner Marathon in relay
Length 21,1 km
Altitude difference + 608 m
Track properties 2nd runner Marathon in relay
Length 21,1 km
Altitude difference + 1336m / - 444m
| Start St. Niklaus 1'116 m | |
| 08.30 am | Elite & Top Runner Marathon + ULTRA |
| 08.33 am | 1st runner Marathon in relay |
| from 8.36 am | Block starts Marathon + ULTRA |
Finish Zermatt 1'600 m
11.45 am
Finish Riffelberg 2'582 m
03.45 pm
| Checkpoints Closing times | |
| 01.40 pm | Sunnegga (km 10,7) |
| 02.55 pm | Riffelalp-Resort (km 18,1) |
| 03.45 pm | FINISH Riffelberg (km 21) |
Every runner who reaches one of the checkpoints outside the closing times will neither be ranked nor entitled to the carious services Gornergrat Zermatt Zermatt Marathon such as catering, sanitary points, prizes, etc. A partial or entire reimbursement of the entry fee is rejected.
Registration
General terms and conditions
The collection and management of participant data is handled by DATASPORT and is based on their data protection regulations. With your registration you accept the competition regulations. We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance at the time of registration. The most common credit cards and Paypal etc. are available as payment methods at the registration. Bank transfer is not possible.
The registration is final. A change to a shorter distance is possible until mid-June 2024 and only in exceptional cases. Any difference in entry fees will not be refunded. A change of starting place to another person is possible until mid-June 2024. A fee of CHF 20.00 will be charged to the new runner. Start numbers will be issued in the last week of June.
Click here to go directly to the registration
Starting costs
till 31 december 2024: CHF 180.00 / € 180.00 (VAT Included)
till 28 february 2025: CHF 200.00 / € 200.00 (VAT Included)
till 30 april 2025: CHF 220.00 / € 220.00 (VAT Included)
from 1 mai 2025: CHF 240.00 / € 240.00 (VAT Included)
Those who run the Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon Relay also benefit from the generous runners' package:
Finisher-Shirt, medal, transportation of clothes to the finish area, pasta voucher, free journey from Friday to Sunday: Brig-Zermatt (MGBahn), St. Niklaus – Grächen (Postal), Zermatt – Gornergrat (GGB) and Sunegga Zermatt (Zermatt Mountain Funicular)
Please note
As the finisher T-shirts are unisex, ladies need to order a size smaller. For example, those who normally wear size S, should for Zermatt Marathon, order a XS
Awards
Finisher T-Shirt, medal (+ 5 CHF), prize for all the best runners in every category. Online certificates can be printed out individually.
Categories
Women, Men, Mixed
Women 90+, Men 90+, Mixed 90+ (both must be born 1980 or older)
| Ceremony finish Area Riffelberg | |
| 02.30 pm | all categories marathon in relay, rank 1 - 3 |
| Luggage | |
| 08.10 am | Luggage drop-off for 1st runner in St. Niklaus in the starting area (transport to Zermatt Bahnhofplatz) |
| Till 09.45 am | Luggage drop-off for 2nd runner in Zermatt at the bus stop at the station next to the Gornergrat railway |
| Till 05.30 pm | Luggage Pick-up finish-area Riffelberg |
| 07.00 – 09.00 pm | Unclaimed luggage at the Information Desk in Zermatt |
Return journey to Zermatt
The Gornergrat Bahn (www.gornergrat.ch) runs from the finish to Zermatt at regular intervals. Runners travel free of charge with their start number.
Termination, reimbursement
The Zermatt Marathon Association does not reimburse the entry fee.
Neither will your entry fee be transferred to the following year. A cancellation insurance can be purchased concurrently with online registration at www.datasport.com. For further information, please go to: FAQ - frequently asked questions - questions and answers - Datasport
The marathon relay does not count towards the Upper Valais Running Cup or the Valais Mountain Running Cup.
TOP20RUN-Gornergrat
From Zermatt via Sunnegga up to the Gornergrat - the highest marathon destination in Europe - at over 3000 metres above sea level!
We are exclusively offering 500 starting places for the TOP20RUN Gornergrat.
Track properties
Length 22 km
Altitude difference + 1850m / - 360m
Start Zermatt 1'616 m
09.30 am
Finish Gornergrat 3'089 m
| Checkpoints Closing times | |
| 01.45 pm | Sunnegga (km 8.7) |
| 02.55 pm | Riffelalp-Resort (km 15.9) |
| 03.30 pm | ULTRA Riffelberg (km 18.5) |
| 04.45 pm | FINISH Gornergrat (km 22) |
Every runner reaching out one of the check points out of the closing times will neither be ranked nor entitled to the various Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon utilities such as catering, sanitary points, prize, etc. A partial or entire reimbursement of the entry fee is rejected.
Registration
General terms and conditions
The collection and management of participant data is handled by DATASPORT and is based on their data protection regulations. With your registration you accept the competition regulations. We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance at the time of registration. The most common credit cards and Paypal etc. are available as payment methods at the registration. Bank transfer is not possible.
The registration is final. A change to a shorter distance is possible until mid-June and only in exceptional cases. Any difference in entry fees will not be refunded. A change of starting place to another person is possible until mid-June. A fee of CHF 20.00 will be charged to the new runner. Start numbers will be issued in the last week of June.
Click here to go directly to the registration
Starting costs
till 31 december 2024: CHF 100.00 / € 100.00 (VAT Included)
till 28 february 2025: CHF 110.00 / € 110.00 (VAT Included)
till 30 april 2025: CHF 120.00 / € 120.00 (VAT Included)
from 1 mai 2025: CHF 130.00 / € 130.00 (VAT Included)
Included in the entry fee
Finisher-Shirt, medal (+ 5 CHF), transportation of clothes to the finish area (Riffelberg), pasta voucher, free journey from Friday to Sunday: Brig-Zermatt (MGBahn), St. Niklaus – Grächen (Postal), Zermatt – Gornergrat (GGB) and Sunnegga Zermatt (Zermatt Mountain Funicular)
Please note
As the finisher T-shirts are unisex, ladies need to order a size smaller. For example, those who normally wear size S, should for Zermatt Marathon, order a XS.
Termination, reimbursement
The Zermatt Marathon Association does not reimburse the entry fee.
Neither will your entry fee be transferred to the following year. A cancellation insurance can be purchased concurrently with online registration at www.datasport.com. For further information, please go to: FAQ - frequently asked questions - questions and answers - Datasport
| Categories | |
| M/W 18 | M/W 55 |
| M/W 30 | M/W 60 |
| M/W 40 | M/W 65 |
| M/W 45 | M/W 70 |
| M/W 50 | |
Awards
Finisher T-Shirt, medal (+ 5 CHF), prize for the best runners in every category. Online certificates can be printed out individually.
Prize money
Prize money (in Swiss francs) will be paid for the 3 fastest men and 3 fastest women. There are no starting bonuses at the Gornergrat Zermatt Half Marathon.
| 1st rank | CHF 300 |
| 2nd rank | CHF 200 |
| 3rd rank | CHF 100 |
| Ceremony TOP20RUN, Party-Tent «Obere Matten», Zermatt | |
| 05.30 pm |
TOP20RUN Overall Women + Men, place 1 – 3 Only runners who are present at the ceremonies are prize-entitled! |
| Luggage | |
| Until 9.15 am | Luggage Drop off in Zermatt between Hotel Bahnhof and the entrance of the Gornergrat Bahn |
| Until 5.30 pm | luggage pick-up finish-area Riffelberg |
| 07.00 – 09.00 pm | Unclaimed luggage at the Information Desk in Zermatt |
Return journey to Zermatt
The Gornergrat Bahn (www.gornergrat.ch) runs from the finish to Zermatt at regular intervals. Runners travel free of charge with their start number.
BIB NUMBER DISTRIBUTION
BIB NUMBER DISTRIBUTION in St. Niklaus (on Thursday and Friday all distances, on Saturday ONLY marathon, ULTRA and relay bib numbers):
| Thursday, 3 July | 03:00 - 07:00 pm |
| Friday, 4 July | 10:00 am - 08:00 pm |
| Saturday, 5 July | 06:45 - 08:15 am |
!! No start numbers will be sent out !!!
BIB NUMBER DISTRIBUTION in Zermatt (only half marathon and TOP20RUN bib numbers)
| Saturday 5 July | 08:00 am - 09:45 am |
LATE REGISTRATION (Marathon, ULTRA + relay)
Late registrations are possible on Thursday and Friday at the start number distribution in St. Niklaus (+ 20 CHF).