Cows, chocolate, watches and cheese – these stereotypes are very well known when it comes to Switzerland. But the small country with its mountains and lakes doesn’t only attract food, nature and jewellery lovers. It’s being positioned as ‘the country for serious athletes and tough cookies to travel to.’
Every summer, many top endurance athletes choose Switzerland for its clean air, high altitude and pleasant temperatures. A deal last year saw Human Race forge a partnership with the country of Switzerland as its official training destination – reaffirming the country’s focus on the travelling endurance athlete.
The Human Race – Switzerland deal is is the first time the events company has engaged in such a partnership, and is understood to be the first time that such a deal with an events firm has been reached with an entire country!
Epic mountain biking
This summer, some serious challenges are waiting for amateur sportsmen – for example the first edition of the Perskindol Swiss Epic runs from 15-20 September 2014. Here, ambitious mountain bikers from all across the world can compete against Switzerland’s mountain biking elite. Perskindol Swiss Epic is a six-day mountain bike stage race with a unique format. Teams of two will cover a distance of approximately 248.5 miles in the Swiss Alps, climbing some 49,212 feet.
Battling the mountains at the Jungfrau Marathon
For runners, there is an ultimate challenge – the legendary Jungfrau Marathon on 13 September. It is said to be ‘the world’s most beautiful course’ and it definitely provides scenery which can’t be found anywhere else. The course starts in Interlaken and goes into the Jungfrau Region up to the Kleine Scheidegg with its famous mountains Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
The runners climb 5,980 feet over the classic marathon distance of 26.2 miles. 4,000 runners from 35 nations master the course, but just as many are unable to take part due to the limited number of starting places. The Marathon takes place each year in September.
The ultimate challenge
Those who think that the Jungfrau Marathon is not enough of a challenge can join the Inferno Triathlon from 22-23 August. With a total incline of 18,044 feet it is one of the toughest in the world. With four separate stages, it comprises 1.9 miles swimming in Lake Thun, a 60.3 mile road bike stage to Grindelwald, 18.6 miles mountain biking and a 15.5 mile mountain run at the end, definitely not for the faint hearted!
Active holidays in Switzerland can be booked with the Switzerland Travel Centre. Packages start from £410 per person.
www.stc.co.uk
www.MySwitzerland.com
www.humanrace.co.uk/switzerland
www.swissepic.com
www.jungfrau-marathon.ch/en/
www.inferno.ch
