Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon 2027: the full race guide
The Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon takes place on Saturday 3 July 2027. It is a point-to-point run from St. Niklaus (about 1,116 m) up to Riffelberg (2,585 m), with 2,075 metres of ascent, so the whole distance is a climb. This guide covers the course, race day, getting to a car-free village and the entry fees, using only what the organiser publishes.
The race at a glance
The Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon is a point-to-point run that starts in the Mattertal valley and finishes high in the Swiss Alps. The organiser describes the route as connecting the valley floor of the Mattertal with the high alpine world of the Riffelberg. It passes through traditional villages, along mountain streams and on paths with views of the Matterhorn.
With 2,075 metres of ascent, many runners treat it as a mountain race rather than a road marathon, and plan their effort around the climb rather than around a finishing time.
The event weekend (2 to 3 July) also includes a half marathon, a longer ultra and a short race for children. That makes it workable for groups where not everyone wants to run the full distance.
| Race | Distance | Ascent | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon | 42.195 km | 2,075 m | St. Niklaus | Riffelberg (2,585 m) |
| Half marathon | 21.1 km | 1,363 m | Zermatt (1,624 m) | Riffelberg |
| Ultra | 45.8 km | 2,616 m | See organiser | Gornergrat (3,089 m) |
The course
The marathon covers 42.195 km from St. Niklaus to Riffelberg and climbs 2,075 metres in total. The half marathon starts in Zermatt (1,624 m, start area Obere Matten) and also finishes at Riffelberg. It covers 21.1 km with 1,363 metres of ascent, and the organiser notes that it has practically no downhill sections. The ultra is 45.8 km with 2,616 metres of ascent and finishes at the Gornergrat at 3,089 m. There is also the TOP20RUN over 22.0 km and the Hörnli Kids’ Run.
Start times on race day: the marathon starts at 8:30 for the elite field and block 1, with later blocks from 8:33. The half marathon starts in blocks at 10:12, 10:15, 10:21 and 10:27. Check the organiser’s starting-times page for the final block allocation.
Because the finish is at altitude, plan for a long climb at the end rather than a flat finish. The organiser has not published a cut-off time in the pages we read, so check the event guide before you register.
Getting there and race day
The organiser recommends public transport. Race-day travel on several local lines is covered by the Swiss Runners Ticket, including the MGBahn from Brig through St. Niklaus to Zermatt, PostBus between St. Niklaus and Grächen, and the Zermatt to Gornergrat and Zermatt to Sunnegga lines.
Zermatt itself is car-free. If you drive, the road ends at Täsch, 4.8 km before Zermatt, and shuttle trains and minibus taxis run from there every 20 minutes, according to the organiser’s arrival page. A race office is mentioned in St. Niklaus.
Entry and registration
Registration runs through Datasport and is open. The marathon fee is staged by date: CHF 159 until 31 October 2026, CHF 179 until 28 February 2027, and CHF 199 from 1 March 2027. The organiser also offers on-site late registration. Fees and rules can change, so confirm them on the organiser’s registration page before paying.
Details on bib pickup and entry limits are in the organiser’s event guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon in 2027?
Saturday 3 July 2027. The event weekend runs from 2 to 3 July.
Where does the marathon start and finish?
It starts in St. Niklaus at about 1,116 m and finishes at Riffelberg at 2,585 m.
How much climbing is there?
The marathon has 2,075 metres of ascent. The half marathon has 1,363 metres and the ultra 2,616 metres.
Can I drive to Zermatt?
No. Zermatt is car-free. The road ends at Täsch, 4.8 km before Zermatt, and shuttle trains and minibus taxis run from there every 20 minutes, according to the organiser.
How much does it cost to enter the marathon?
CHF 159 until 31 October 2026, CHF 179 until 28 February 2027 and CHF 199 from 1 March 2027, according to the organiser. On-site late registration is also offered.
Which other races run that weekend?
A half marathon, an ultra (45.8 km), the TOP20RUN over 22.0 km and the Hörnli Kids’ Run.
Sources
- Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon, organiser (30 October 2026)
- Organiser: marathon course page (30 October 2026)
Course, start times, travel and fee details come from the organiser’s website, zermattmarathon.ch, read on 30 October 2026. Fees, times and rules can change, so check the organiser before booking.