Everything is ready for the 18th SwissCityMarathon on Sunday, 26 October 2025. Preparations were much more intensive than in other years due to the new marathon route. Among other things, the start times were also adjusted. With 14,000 registrations, the event has been fully booked since June.
With 14,000 registrations, the SwissCityMarathon - Lucerne has set a new registration record this year. The maximum number of participants in the 42KM marathon has been increased to 4,000. This means that there are twice as many marathon runners at the start as last year and more than ever before in the history of the SwissCityMarathon. A maximum of 7,500 starting places could be allocated in the half marathon and 2,500 places in the CityRun 10KM.
Premiere for the one-lap marathon course
The marathon course is undergoing a fundamental overhaul this year. For the first time, the two-lap course will become a one-lap course. Initial discussions about a new route took place in 2023. A feasibility study was carried out in spring 2024. The "Alpnachstad" option proved to be the best option. As before, the marathon will start at Haldenstrasse in Lucerne and continue to run around the Horw peninsula. The route now continues along the lake to Hergiswil, around the Lopper to Alpnachstad. The turning point is 550 metres before the Alpnachstad level crossing. The route then leads via Hergiswil back to the centre of Horw and along the previous route via Allmend and Lucerne's old town to the finish line at the Swiss Museum of Transport. Tens of thousands of spectators and around 44 music bands will once again ensure a great atmosphere along the entire route. There will be catering stands and attractions from partners for all spectators. A third Maratholino for children will be held in Hergiswil.
New start times
Due to the one-lap course in the marathon, the start times have been adjusted. The running day will no longer be opened by the "Performance Half Marathon", but by the "Performance Marathon" at 08:28, followed by the entire marathon field. The staggered start of the City Run 10KM in Horw will take place at 08.58 a.m. From 09.58 a.m. the start will again be at Haldenstrasse. After the starting signal for the "Performance Half Marathon", all participants in the half marathon will take to the course here until 12.00 noon.
103 nations at the start
Over 91 per cent of the participants come from Switzerland. Runners are registered from all 26 cantons. In addition, over 1,200 international running enthusiasts from 53 other countries will be at the start. 610 participants are travelling from Germany, making it the largest group of foreign runners. A total of 103 different nationalities are registered.
Notable people at the start
This year's start list also includes well-known personalities. Here is a selection:
Registered for the marathon (42KM):
- Doris Nagel-Wallimann, 2nd place marathon 2024 at the SwissCityMarathon
- Jack Wood, marathon winner 2023 at the SwissCityMarathon
- Susanne Kaufmann-Rüegger, marathon winner 2016 at the SwissCityMarathon
- Fränzi Inauen-Huwyler, four-time marathon winner at the SwissCityMarathon
Registered for the half marathon (21KM):
- Ronja Hofstetter, marathon winner 2024 at the SwissCityMarathon
- Stephan Lichtsteiner, former professional footballer
- Timothy Zemp, Paralympic cycling athlete
Ensuring safety for everyone
To ensure safety, the SwissCityMarathon has a comprehensive safety concept. Running enthusiasts, spectators and helpers should be well protected and feel safe. This also applies to the Swiss Museum of Transport, where the finish line is located. As at Fasnacht, people in the finish area are counted anonymously using cameras and access is regulated if necessary.
Road closures
The marathon route now runs via Hergiswil to just before Alpnachstad. This requires the closure of additional roads. A new online map shows at which times which roads are closed to all traffic. It shows all road closures with times.
Link: https://swisscitymarathon.placeit.de/info/
Live stream and social media
Thanks to live streaming, the SwissCityMarathon can be experienced up close wherever you are. The live stream is available as a recording on the website and on the Facebook page. Clips from the course will also be shown on the big screens in the Swiss Museum of Transport and on Europaplatz near the KKL. News and pictures will also be available before, during and after the run on Instagram and YouTube.
