The Jungfrau-Marathon, billed by its organisers as the most beautiful marathon in the world, is a 42.195 km mountain race from Interlaken to the Eigergletscher at 2,320 m. It runs beside Lake Brienz and through traditional mountain villages such as Wilderswil and Lauterbrunnen, then climbs past Wengen towards the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, with flag throwers, alphorn players and bell ringers along the way. It is organised by the Verein Jungfrau-Marathon in Interlaken and held on a Saturday in September.
There is no lottery and no ballot: the 4,000 places are allocated first-come, first-served when online registration opens, and they sell out every year, in recent years months before race day. Entries cannot be refunded or carried over to the following year, but a place can be transferred through the race office. For the official entry and all details, head to the Jungfrau-Marathon website.
Key dates
- Registration WindowOpen Feb 2027
- Race daySep 11, 2027
Windows are shown to the month until the organiser confirms them. Subscribers get the exact day, by email, on the morning it opens.
The registration date is set. The opening is announced. Now it just has to not slip past you. Set up a BibsAlert and we'll email you the moment the Jungfrau Marathon registration goes live.
How to enter the Jungfrau Marathon
The Jungfrau-Marathon has one general registration, plus a charity entry, a multi-race package and an official transfer.
1. General Registration (First-Come, First-Served)
Register online from the registration page on the official website. Every runner needs an account with Datasport, the company the organisers commission for timekeeping. Places are allocated in the order registrations arrive until all 4,000 are gone. Registration opens at 08:00 Swiss time, and the organisers have offered a lower entry fee for the first 24 hours. Runners must be at least 18 in the year of the race.
2. Charity Entry
A charity entry costs CHF 500, of which CHF 320 goes to the event's charity partner, the Allani Children's Hospice in Bern. You book it with a form on the official website and pay within 15 days, and your name appears on the start list once the payment arrives.
3. UNESCO World Heritage Trophy
One package price covers four events in Swiss UNESCO World Heritage regions: the Engadin Ski Marathon, the Xtratrail Lavaux, the Aletsch Half-Marathon and the Jungfrau-Marathon. Runners who complete at least three of them enter the trophy's final ranking.
4. Official Place Transfer
A registered runner can hand their place to someone else. Until late August, transfers are requested by email to the race office for a CHF 20 fee. After that they are only possible on site at the race number issue, for CHF 50.
The course
A point-to-point mountain marathon from Interlaken to the foot of the Eiger.
- Start: Höheweg, Interlaken
- Finish: Eigergletscher (2,320 m), at the foot of the Eiger and Mönch
- Distance: 42.195 km (26.2 miles)
- Elevation gain: 1,953 m D+
- Start Time: 08:30, mass start
- Time Limit: cut-offs at Wengen station (km 30.7) after 4 hrs 25 mins and at the Wixi turn-off on the Wengernalp (km 38.5) after 5 hrs 50 mins of running time
The first half stays low, following Lake Brienz through Bönigen, Wilderswil and Zweilütschinen to Lauterbrunnen, mostly on asphalt roads with sections of hiking trail. From about km 25 the course climbs steeply on mountain paths, hiking trails and roads to Wengen at 1,283 m and on to Wixi at 1,855 m, before a final mountain path leads up to the finish. Food stations and first aid posts are set every 5 km, and poles are not allowed. The upper section crosses alpine terrain where the weather and temperature can change quickly, so runners must carry suitable clothing.
Why run the Jungfrau Marathon?
- The scenery: Lake Brienz, the Lauterbrunnen valley and Wengen, with a finish at 2,320 m at the foot of the Eiger and Mönch.
- A real mountain test: 1,953 m of climbing, on a course the organisers call suitable only for highly trained runners.
- The atmosphere: flag throwers, alphorn players and bell ringers along the route, and runners from more than 70 nations.
Missed out?
Spots for the Jungfrau Marathon sell out fast. If you missed this year's window, you still have options:
- Charity & partner entries: Many races reserve guaranteed places with charity partners and official tour operators, even after general entry sells out. Check the official website for partners.
- Try a similar race: Check the related races below for races with similar entry types, dates, or locations.
- Be ready next year: Set up a BibsAlert so you don't miss the moment registration opens.
Questions runners ask
How fast does the Jungfrau-Marathon sell out?
It sells out every year. The 4,000 places are first-come, first-served, and in recent years they have been gone months before race day, so register as early as you can.
Can I transfer my entry or get a refund?
Entries cannot be refunded or carried over to the following year, even with a doctor's certificate. You can transfer your place to another runner: by email to the race office until late August for a CHF 20 fee, or after that at the race number issue for CHF 50. Optional entry fee cancellation insurance can be added when you register online.
What are the cut-off times?
Runners must pass Wengen station (km 30.7) within 4 hours 25 minutes and the Wixi turn-off on the Wengernalp (km 38.5) within 5 hours 50 minutes of running time. Runners who miss either cut-off may not continue, and their race number gives them free travel to the finish and to Grindelwald.
Can I use poles?
No. Aids and sports equipment, especially Nordic walking poles, are prohibited, as are private escort vehicles and running with animals. The upper section is alpine terrain where the weather can change quickly, so runners are responsible for carrying suitable clothing.
Who can enter?
Runners who are at least 18 in the year of the race. The organisers stress that this alpine challenge is only suitable for highly trained runners in full health, and every runner must be insured against accidents.
Looking ahead
Registration for the next Jungfrau-Marathon opens in mid-February at 08:00 Swiss time, and the 4,000 places go first-come, first-served until they run out. They sell out every year, in recent years months before race day, so registering early matters. Set up a BibsAlert to get notified when registration opens.