Zurich Marathon

Location: Zurich
Country: Switzerland
Website: https://www.zuerichmarathon.ch/marathon-2/marathon/
2025 Marathon Date: 13/04/2025
2026 Marathon Date: 12/04/2026
Winning Time 2025: 02:09:16
% Sub-3s: 5–10%
# Sub-3s: 100–499
Total Runners: 3k–10k

The Zurich Marathon is a well-established spring marathon set in Switzerland’s largest city, offering a flat course, scenic lakeside stretches and Swiss-style efficiency from start to finish. It has become a popular choice for runners across Europe seeking a fast, well-organised race without the overwhelming scale of the major city events.

The race starts and finishes in central Zurich and includes long sections along Lake Zurich, as well as passes through suburban and residential districts. The layout is designed to support consistent pacing, with few sharp corners and virtually no elevation gain. The roads are wide and well-maintained, with minimal disruption from narrow bottlenecks or surface changes.

Weather conditions in mid-April are typically cool and dry, with temperatures ranging from 6–12°C. Rain is possible, but light, and the clear mountain air often provides excellent visibility and crisp spring light. While some sections of the course are exposed, wind is not usually a major factor. These conditions are ideal for endurance performance, particularly for runners targeting structured pacing goals like sub-3.

Organisation is precise, with clearly marked kilometre signs, frequent and reliable aid stations and a calm, professional start area. Race logistics – including bag drop, timing systems and route signage – reflect the high standards runners have come to expect from Swiss events. Crowd support is modest but consistent, with a warm and friendly feel, especially around the finish line.

For sub-3 marathoners, Zurich offers an excellent balance of speed and control. The field includes a strong contingent of competitive amateurs, making it easy to settle into a target pace without relying on official pacers. The race’s focus on performance, combined with a quiet but supportive environment, makes it particularly well-suited to runners who thrive in clean, distraction-free conditions.

While it lacks the atmosphere of the majors, the Zurich Marathon’s reliability and focus on fast times make it a top-tier option for runners looking to execute a disciplined, high-quality spring marathon effort in mainland Europe.