The International Military Sports Federation was founded in 1948 and today has 140 member states. Under the motto "friendship through sport", competitions are held in 26 different sports. Since joining in 1968, Switzerland has been one of the most active member nations. Swiss athletes, who are part of the army's top sports promotion program, regularly take part in military competitions at home and abroad.
The CISM World Marathon Championships are usually held annually and have a long tradition. By hosting the first half marathon world championships as part of the SwissCityMarathon Lucerne 2023, the Swiss CISM delegation is setting an innovative and strong signal. The competition over the half marathon distance promises to be a fast and gripping race from the very beginning. Around 300-400 participants from over 40 nations are expected, including numerous top athletes. The World Championship field will be sent out on the running course immediately before the official start of the SwissCityMarathon.
The city of Lucerne will continue to be an important venue for CISM events in the future. In 2025, the fifth CISM Winter Military World Games, the largest military sports event to date, will take place in Switzerland. More than 1,500 athletes from all over the world will compete in ten different winter sports disciplines from 23 to 30 March 2025. Lucerne will be the center of the Winter Military World Games and also the competition site. The alpine disciplines will be held in Engelberg-Titlis and the Nordic sports in the Andermatt/Realp/Goms region.
2023 will see a very special highlight. For the first time, the International Military Sports Federation (CISM) will hold a world championship in the half marathon.