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 | 71: U20W | 51: U20M |
| 20 – 29 years | 2003 – 1994 | 72: W20 | 52: M20 |
| 30 – 34 years | 1993 – 1989 | 73: W30 | 53: M30 |
| 35 – 39 years | 1988 – 1984 | 74: W35 | 54: M35 |
| 40 – 44 years | 1983 – 1979 | 75: W40 | 55: M40 |
| 45 – 49 years | 1978 – 1974 | 76: W45 | 56: M45 |
| 50 – 54 years | 1973 – 1969 | 77: W50 | 57: M50 |
| 55 – 59 years | 1968 – 1964 | 78: W55 | 58: M55 |
| 60 – 64 years | 1963 – 1959 | 79: W60 | 59: M60 |
| 65 – 69 years | 1958 – 1954 | 80: W65 | 60: M65 |
| 70 – 74 years | 1953 – 1949 | 81: W70 | 61: M70 |
| 75 years and older | 1948 and older | 82: W75 | 62: M75 |
| without ranking | 2007 and older | 66: alphabetically | 66: alphabetically |
When registering, specify the start slot according to your realistic target time. To qualify for the performance slot, proof of an official result in the last three years is required.
| starting times | Limit | Pacemaker |
08.30 | Women < 01:40h Men < 01:30h | – |
| 10.00 | – | 01:40h / 01:50h |
| 10.10 | – | 01:40h / 01:50h |
| 10.20 | – | 01:40h / 01:50h |
| 10.30 | – | 01:40h / 01:50h |
| 10.40 | – | 01:40h / 01:50h |
| 10.50 | – | 01:40h / 01:50h |
| 11.00 | – | 01:50h / 02:00h |
| 11.10 | – | 01:50h / 02:00h |
| 11.20 | – | 01:50h / 02:00h |
| 11.30 | – | 01:50h / 02:00h |
| 11.40 | – | 01:50h / 02:00h |
| 11.50 | – | 01:50h / 02:00h |
Ambitious runners have the opportunity to start in the exclusive Performance Block 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 Block. 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.
| Performance Block | 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 you can pick up your race number and your finisher shirt by showing your registration confirmation or your race card.
Alternatively, you can have your race number sent to you by mail (shipping only in Switzerland and Liechtenstein). We offer foreign guests the possibility to pick up their start number on Sunday morning at the Museum of Transport (only on presentation of the start card). You can then pick up your finisher shirt after crossing the finish line by handing in the voucher on your race number. We recommend to pick up your starting documents and the finisher shirt already on Friday or Saturday at the Marathon Expo.
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 for the half marathon (as well as marathon) is located in Haldenstrasse a few metres from the Swiss Museum of Transport (Lidostrasse 5, 6006 Lucerne).
The finish for all is in the Swiss Museum of Transport (Lidostrasse 5, 6006 Lucerne).
The finish is closing at 15.00 pm 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 race number must be worn visibly and unfolded on the front.
Half marathon: 10.00 am (Finish area Swiss Museeum of Transport)
Only overall winners will be awarded on stage.
All other prizes will be sent by post after the event.
The award ceremonies will take place in the finish area, please note the speaker announcements.
Instructions given by the race course personnel must be followed. Private escort of runners by all type of vehicles, especially by bicycles or inline skates, 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.
Participation in a wheelchair is not possible because of security reasons. The technical directors of the organising committee will make final decisions for disqualifications.
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. In the last section, the picturesque old town of Lucerne is crossed before heading for 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.
