About the race
The Jungfrau Marathon is a mountain marathon in the Bernese Oberland, held each September within sight of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The organiser bills it as the most beautiful marathon in the world.
History
The first race was held in 1993. Roughly 3,500 runners from around 35 nations take part in a typical year, and the 2007 edition doubled as the World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge, drawing about 4,200 people from 50 countries. The 2026 race was the 33rd edition and took place on 5 September, with a programme of Friday races the day before.
The course
The 42.195 km course starts in Interlaken and climbs about 1,953 m to the finish at the Eigergletscher, at 2,320 m. It once ended at Kleine Scheidegg. The first 10 km are flat, circling the centre of Interlaken, running east to Bönigen on the shore of Lake Brienz and then south to Wilderswil. The climb begins through Zweilütschinen at 15 km and reaches Lauterbrunnen at 20 km. After a 5 km loop south of the village, runners return and head up the hillside in zigzags, gaining 450 m over 5 km to Wengen, the steepest part. The road then rises over the Wengernalp and turns beneath the Eiger. Just before the final ascent, a bagpiper traditionally greets runners at the moraine.
Distances
The organiser's pages describe the mountain marathon as the main event. On the Friday, the programme includes the Harder Run, a mini run, a mini marathon and a para race, and a Lauberhorn Run is also listed.
Entry basics
Registration is online through the organiser's site, with separate pages for entry, run information, cancellation rules and charity partners. Check those run-information pages for time limits and entry windows, and the organiser for the date of the next edition.
Where to watch
Spectators gather at Lauterbrunnen and Wengen, where the crowd lines the route, and alphorn players and flag-wavers have long been part of the scene. The event's Marathon Village, with an expo and a pasta party, is a further focal point on race weekend.
Weather
Early September in the Bernese Alps can be bright and mild in Interlaken, but the high finish is much colder and more exposed. Cloud, rain or even snow on the upper slopes is possible, so conditions change a lot with altitude.