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It’s not often I can say this, but the Swiss City Half Marathon – Lucerne took my breath away. I don’t mean that in a “I can’t breathe, I’m running too hard” way, but rather in a “this is one of the most stunning races I have ever done” way. The course wasn’t flat, but it also wasn’t super hilly, and the race organization was top notch. If you’re interested in running the Swiss City Half Marathon – Lucerne, read more below.
- Registration for the Swiss City Half Marathon
- Travel to Lucerne
- Swiss City Marathon Expo
- Morning of the Half Marathon
- What to Expect Running the Swiss City Half Marathon
- The Half Marathon Course
- Views During the Half Marathon
- Running Surface
- Swiss City Marathon – Lucerne Course
- Finish Line
- Crowds at the Swiss City Half Marathon
- Aid Stations and Bathrooms
- Post-Race
- Exploring Lucerne
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Registration for the Swiss City Half Marathon
Swiss City Marathon doesn’t require medical forms like other races, which makes registration much easier. The starting price is a bit high, but there are plenty of free extra items included that will make it more reasonable. Especially if you’re planning to take the train. I will note though that you have to pay extra to get your medal. It is not included in the starting price.
The one thing that you should know about this race is that the start is broken up into time slots. These time slots are not selected based on your speed, but rather based on whenever you want to sign up. I didn’t love this method, because it meant I spent a good portion of the start swerving around other runners. However, it did mean that after the first half mile, the runners were very spread out.
Travel to Lucerne
If you are flying into Switzerland for this race, I suggest flying through Zurich. It takes about an hour to reach Lucerne from the city. One of the free perks included in your registration is free travel to and from the race. The travel to Lucerne can be used between Thursday and Sunday, and the travel out of Lucerne can be used between Sunday and Tuesday. You will be sent the discount codes via email about 10 days before the race. If you are traveling from Zurich, this can save you almost $70.
Where to Stay for the Swiss City Marathon
Lucerne is an absolutely gorgeous city and one of the only cities where I’ll say that you have no need to stay near the race start. Why? Because every hotel guest in Lucerne gets free access to the cities transportation. All you have to do is register for a Lucerne Visitor Card before you visit and you will be all set.
Swiss City Marathon Expo
The expo is located in the center of Zurich and is small but filled with vendors. As part of your bib you will also get a pass for a free pasta dish and/or potatoes at the expo.
This will also be where you can pick up your shirt. Just make sure to get your bib first and then the shirt, as you will need a voucher attached to your bib. If you are traveling in on the morning of the race, you can pick up your bib at the bag drop. You will also be able to get your shirt after the race. However, since most of the people reading this blog do not live in Switzerland, please don’t travel to Lucerne on race day.
Morning of the Half Marathon
Race day is finally here! But there are a few things you should know before you start running. The first thing is that many bakeries, restaurants, and even grocery stores are closed on Sundays. I always suggest buying your race day breakfast ahead of time, but this time I will say it is an absolute must. I did see lots of kids selling baked goods near the start area, but you will need cash to buy anything.
The second thing you should know about is the Lucerne Visitor Card. Your hotel should give this to you and it will allow for you to travel for free within Lucerne Zone 10. This area covers all of Lucerne, but you can find a full map here. If you don’t want to take public transit to the start, you can walk. It will take about 30 minutes from downtown Lucerne.
The last thing that you need to know before starting this race, is that the bag drop is about 15 minutes walking away from the start. I thought the two were closer, and ended up only arriving at the start about 5 minutes before the race started.
What to Expect Running the Swiss City Half Marathon
The Half Marathon Course
Now let’s talk about the course. To start the race, the course is actually very flat and takes you through the city to the train station. There are lots of runners. Try to not get caught up running at other people’s paces, because the starting blocks are not sorted based on time. This section of the course will also require lots of weaving around other runners. However, this does get sorted out very quickly.
As you approach the 5k mark, you will hit the hilly section. There are a couple of big hills between the 5k and 10k markers. Just remember that this section doesn’t last forever and you can use the downhills to go a bit faster.
At about the 12k mark, you will reach a long and gradual hill. I didn’t even notice this one after the earlier hills, but some friends who only ran the 10k race commented on it.
The second half of the course also takes you inside multiple buildings. The first that you go in is the local soccer (Football for the Europeans) stadium. Home to FC Luzern, this was a very exciting moment for local runners, but I will admit as someone with no attachment to this team, it was fine.
As you pass through Lucerne center again, you also go through the KKL Building. This cultural center is also home to a concert hall. You just run through the lobby of this building, and I do feel like the race organizers were more excited about promoting this section than any of the runners I saw.
Overall, I would say the race is mostly flat, but when there are hills they make themselves known in a big way.
Views During the Half Marathon
I will say that the views in the first half of this race were absolutely stunning. The course ran along the lake and you got to see all of the towering mountains. But the second half was a bit less exciting. The course takes you through residential neighborhoods and villages. There are still some cute things to see, but no towering mountains. If you’re only running the 10k, the second half with its less than exciting views are all you will see.
Running Surface
One of the biggest things to be aware of when running in Europe is what type of running surface you’ll have. Lots of races in Europe will take you onto cobblestones, and this was no exception. Luckily, the cobblestone sections were very short, and the cobblestones themselves were large and flat which barely makes a difference. You will also have a very short section of running on artificial turf when you cross the soccer stadium.
Swiss City Marathon – Lucerne Course
While I ran the half marathon, I can talk a bit about the marathon as the two courses share most of the same route. Starting in 2025, the marathon course will change from being two loops of the half marathon course, to one loop of the half marathon course, with an out and back tail around the 10km mark.
This means that marathon runners will have to handle all of the hills I mentioned above, plus one more on the out back. Which is really two more, because you cross the hill in both directions.
Finish Line
I don’t normally give the finish line its own separate section, but this one was special. And by special I mean confusing. This race loves arches. Approaching the finish you will first pass under two larch inflatable arches. As I saw them, I made the assumption that they were the finish line. I mean my watch was already over 13.1 miles, so I knew it was close. But none of the runners were stopping, they were turning. Then we got closer and I saw that everyone was turning under another arch and running into the transportation museum. I decided this must be the finish line, in the museum. But no one was stopping. Then I saw that the course was split into two sections – half marathon and 10k vs marathon. Everyone was heading inside another barn. This was also not the finish. After I left the barn, I finally reached the finish line arches.
It was only a minute or two of running, but when you have already turned on your engines for your final push, it felt so much longer.
Crowds at the Swiss City Half Marathon
I love big crowds. I love the energy they bring, and I love high fiving little kids. This race had all of that. The crowds weren’t consistent at every single minute of the race, but there was at least one group cheering every kilometer, typically more. There were also tons of kids out and about cheering and asking for high fives. This race is also the second time I have gone to high five a child and was hit with a “too slow”.
In addition to the crowds, there were also lots of traditional Swiss bands set up along the course. This included people playing genuine cowbells, Alphorns, accordions, and some larger bands with multiple instruments.
Aid Stations and Bathrooms
This half marathon has lots of aid stations. I’m used to half marathons in Europe only having three to four aid stations. This race had seven. That said, they were not evenly distributed. In the first half of the course, the aid stations were approximately every 4k. In the second half, they got much closer and seemed to be every 2k or so. While there is a map online of the course and where the aid stations are, it does not say the exact locations or distances between them.
The bathroom situation on the course was very good. I didn’t stop myself, but along the course there were tons of bathrooms randomly placed and I never saw a line for any of them. Even at the start, the bathrooms had no lines or very short ones. This race definitely isn’t skimping in that area.
Post-Race
Congratulations! You’ve crossed the finish line. One of the first things you will see after the race is small paper cups and a water refill station. Stay in this area as long as you may need because this is the only water spot.
As you leave you will be given other things to drink, such as an energy milk, sports drink, and warm beef bouillon. That last one almost made me vomit because I had no idea what I was drinking. You will also be able to redeem the free beer coupon that came with your bib. They will have regular beer and a non-alcoholic version.
Before leaving this area, take a moment to explore the museum that you are in. An adult ticket is typically CHF 62, but today it is free to explore most of the museum. Right next to the beer tent is my favorite building covered in street signs, with an area dedicated to Red Bull Racing.
Exploring Lucerne
While I was in Lucerne I also spent a good amount of time exploring the city. My goal was to find free or cheap things to do around the city. I had poor weather during my trip, which meant that on every day except for race day, the city and mountains were surrounded by clouds. Because of that I ended up staying in the city, rather than leaving as originally planned.
I suggest taking at least two hours to just walk around the city. There are so many cool things to see, such as painted buildings, covered bridges, and beautiful churches. Lucerne is also a city filled with small details like door knockers, unique windows, and gutters that deserve a second look. Take the chance to walk around the historic district and really pay attention to your surroundings.
I also took the free funicular up to Gutsch. The funicular isn’t automatic, and works more like an elevator. You have to press the button by the door to call it to you. At the top, there is a nice view of the city. It’s not the best, but considering that it was a cloudy day, I didn’t want to pay to go up a higher mountain. You can also get some food at the hotel bar at the top.
If you’re ready to sign up, here is the link. I also have a Facebook page for female runners looking for international race partners. Check it out if you want a running buddy.
Finally, if you’ve read this far and are looking for someone to help plan your trip to Switzerland, I am a travel agent for runners. I offer a variety of services for every type of runner.
