The half marathon is the most popular distance at the SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne with 7000 runners per year from all over Switzerland and the whole world. This makes the SwissCityMarathon the largest half marathon in Switzerland.
The half marathon in Lucerne always takes place on the last sunday in October.
A start at the half marathon is possible from the age of 16.
In the category "without ranking" your time is measured, but the list in the ranking list is alphabetical.
| Age | Years 2023 | Categories Women | Categories Men |
| 16 – 19 years | 2007 – 2004 | U20W | U20M |
| 20 – 29 years | 2003 – 1994 | W20 | M20 |
| 30 – 34 years | 1993 – 1989 | W30 | M30 |
| 35 – 39 years | 1988 – 1984 | W35 | M35 |
| 40 – 44 years | 1983 – 1979 | W40 | M40 |
| 45 – 49 years | 1978 – 1974 | W45 | M45 |
| 50 – 54 years | 1973 – 1969 | W50 | M50 |
| 55 – 59 years | 1968 – 1964 | W55 | M55 |
| 60 – 64 years | 1963 – 1959 | W60 | M60 |
| 65 – 69 years | 1958 – 1954 | W65 | M65 |
| 70 – 74 years | 1953 – 1949 | W70 | M70 |
| 75 years and older | 1948 and older | W75 | M75 |
| without ranking | 2007 and older | alphabetically | alphabetically |
When registering, you choose an individual start slot according to availability. The starting slots are not divided according to performance. The distribution of runners on the course is even, so that the conditions are the same in each start slot and it does not matter for your own performance in which start slot you start. In each start slot there are pacemakers for the finish times 1:40h and 1:50h, or 1:50h and 2:00h.
To qualify for the performance slot (start 08.30a.m.) you need to show proof of an official result in the last three years.
| starting times | Limit Performance Slot |
08.30 | Women < 01:40h Men < 01:30h |
| 10.00 | – |
| 10.10 | – |
| 10.20 | – |
| 10.30 | – |
| 10.40 | – |
| 10.50 | – |
| 11.00 | – |
| 11.10 | – |
| 11.20 | – |
| 11.30 | – |
| 11.40 | – |
| 11.50 | – |
Ambitious runners have the opportunity to start in the exclusive Performance Slot by submitting an official performance certificate. This guarantees the characteristic race atmosphere as well as exciting duels for the placings. So if you think you have a chance of winning, you should definitely start in the Performance Slot. Proof of performance is an official ranking at an event within the last 3 years in the given qualification time. This proof must be uploaded during registration and will be checked.
| Performance Slot | Valid qualification times from the following competitions | ||
| Marathon | Halfmarathon | 10K | |
| Women: Running time < 01:40 | < 03:35 | < 01:40 | < 00:45 |
| Men: Running time < 01:30 | < 03:05 | < 01:30 | < 00:40 |
Benefit from a cheaper registration fee if you register in time.
(Subject to change)
The association SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne voluntarily opted for the VAT. The association is registered with the number CHE-112.487.804 VAT. The entry fees include the VAT of 2.5%.
Pick up Friday / Saturday
At the Marathon Expo in the Hotel Schweizerhof (Schweizerhofquai 3, 6002 Luzern) you can pick up your race number and your finisher shirt by showing your "starterguide".
Alternatively, you can have your race number sent to you by mail (dispatch only in Switzerland and Liechtenstein). Postal delivery must be selected when registering. The finisher shirt can then be collected after finishing by handing in the voucher on the race number. Foreign guests can also pick up their race number on Sunday morning at the Museum of Transport (only upon presentation of the „starterguide“ and a personal ID).
Recommendation
We recommend to pick up your race numer (and the finisher shirt) already on Friday or Saturday at the Marathon Expo to avoid unnecessary stress.
Important
The "starterguide" will be sent to you by e-mail in mid-October and can be conveniently presented on your smartphone or tablet. A printout is not necessary. Together, we can avoid over 20,000 printouts and make another ecologically valuable contribution.
The start of the half marathon is located directly on Haldenstrasse (Haldenstrasse 28, 6006) and thus 500 metres from the Swiss Museum of Transport.
The finish for all categories is at the Swiss Museum of Transport (Lidostrasse 5, 6006 Lucerne).
Changing rooms, showers and a guarded depot for valuables are located near the start and finish area (approx. 300 m) :
The finish is closing at 3.00 p.m. for half marathon runners.
Runners who do not cross the finish line within the time limit will not be classified. The end of the official competition is determined by the follow-up vehicle, which is passing the kilometers on time, so that it arrives at the finish within the set time limit. Overtaken runners have to end the race and are no longer part of the official competition.
The chip for the time measurement is integrated in your bib. The time chip don't have to be returned at the end of the race. The net time from crossing the start to the finish line is measured. The race number must be worn visibly and unfolded on the front.
10.45 a.m. / award ceremony stage @ the finish arena (Swiss Museum of Transport)
Only the winners of the Performance Slot will be awarded on stage.
The award ceremonies will take place in the finish arena. Please listen to the speaker announcements.
All other prizes (e.g. for age category winners) will be sent by post after the event.
Instructions given by the race course personnel must be followed. Private escort of runners by all type of vehicles (especially by bicycles, inline skates, e-scooters, etc.) is not allowed. Also to run with a dog, a pram, etc. is not permitted. A general ban on driving applies to the whole race course except for the official vehicles of the organisers. Any short cut from the race path and other illegal aids are forbidden. The technical directors of the organising committee will make final decisions for disqualifications.
Participation with a wheelchair is possible in the new category "Roll&Run". More information under never walk alone
Motivate your fellow runners and complete the SwissCityMarathon - Lucerne as a team. Just use the same team name in the field "team ranking" when registering as an individual runner.
The course is a circuit in the length of a half marathon, with the start and finish at the Swiss Museum of Transport.
From the start, the course leads along the traditional luxury hotels of the city and the Hofkirche to the centre of Lucerne. With a view of the Kapellbrücke (chapell bridge) and the Wasserturm (water tower), you cross the main bridge of Lucerne. On the opposite side of the lake, the course passes the famous Culture and Congress Centre Lucerne (KKL). The tour continues with a view of the impressive mountain panorama of Central Switzerland along the beautiful Lake Lucerne around the Horwer Peninsula. The next highlights will follow immediately with the runs through the athmospheric zone in Horw, the modern football stadium of the FC Luzern and then the KKL Lucerne. The last section crosses the picturesque old town of Lucerne before passing the Hotel Schweizerhof and the venerable Hofkirche towards the finish at the Swiss Museum of Transport.
All finishers will receive a finisher shirt from our official partner Salomon. This is a high quality product that can be worn permanently and therefore gives long pleasure.
Half marathon participants can buy a Finisher-Medal when they register + CHF 5.-.
The Finisher-Medal will be handed over directly after the finish line.
The digital goodiebag offers you informations, exciting promotions and great competitions in the form of so-called "coupons" (vouchers).
You will receive your personal access to the digital goodibag by e-mail.
Thanks to the SwissRunners-Ticket, you can travel free of charge to the SwissCityMarathon - Lucerne by public transport from all over Switzerland.
The code for your SwissRunners-Ticket will be sent to you by e-mail at least 10 days before the event.
