The Generali Genève Marathon has received Silver certification under World Athletics’ Athletics for a Better World (ABW) Standard, becoming the first running event in the French-speaking world to attain this level of environmental accreditation.
The certification places the Swiss event alongside nine global marathons – including the Boston, Berlin, and London marathons – recognised for their sustainability frameworks under the governing body’s international evaluation system. The ABW Standard assesses competitions across 55 criteria covering environmental management, sustainable consumption, diversity, and social impact.
The 21st edition of the Generali Genève Marathon is scheduled to take place on May 8–9, 2027, hosting eight race formats across the city and canton of Geneva, concluding on the Mont-Blanc Bridge. More than 27,500 runners are expected to participate.
The event’s environmental initiatives include a complete ban on single-use plastic bottles, which was implemented 15 years ago. Organisers utilise local tap water supplied by Services Industriels de Genève (SIG), served in reusable eco-cups and paper cups at refreshment stations.
The marathon also incorporates free public transport access for participants, dedicated bicycle parking, a carbon footprint calculator built into race registration, and waste management partnerships with local organisations Aremacs and Serbecco. Additionally, runners are offered an opt-out choice for finisher medals to conserve resources.
Socially, the event maintains strict prize money parity across podium finishes for men and women, with female runners comprising 45% of total entrants. Inclusion measures include wheelchair race categories, guided entry for visually impaired participants under the ‘Unified by Swiss Inclusive Sport’ scheme, and partnerships with local social organisations, including the Hospice Général and PRO Foundation, to support community employment and volunteer operations.
Benjamin Chandelier, Director of the Generali Genève Marathon, said “This certification awarded by World Athletics is a source of immense pride for our entire Organizing Committee, our 1,200 volunteers, and all our partners. By banning plastic 15 years ago, we were already convinced that sports needed to lead the way. To be, today, the first marathon certified at this level in the French-speaking world and to rank in the global Top 9 shows that our ongoing commitment and rigor are paying off for the Geneva region and the planet.”
www.generaligenevemarathon.com
www.worldathletics.org
