Zermatt Marathon

Switzerland's other great mountain marathon, and the better pick if you want the climb spread over the whole day. The Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon starts in St. Niklaus at 1,116 meters, follows the valley up to Zermatt and finishes on the Riffelberg at 2,585 meters, a net rise of 1,469 meters, with about 2,075 meters of total climbing on the organizers' figure. Runners who finish strongly can choose the ultra, which adds 3.4 kilometers and 514 meters of climbing to the Gornergrat at 3,089 meters. It is held in early July, about two months before the Jungfrau, so ambitious runners can fit both into one Swiss summer. The 2027 race weekend is July 2 and 3.