The Generali Genève Marathon in Switzerland will celebrate its 20th anniversary on May 9–10, 2026, with a record 27,500 participants expected across eight race distances. Since its revival in 2005, the event has built momentum as a fixture in the European running calendar.
To mark the 20th anniversary milestone, the event programme has been expanded to include the ‘Rencontres du Marathon’, a series of conferences held at the Jardin Anglais on Friday, May 8, 2026. Here, Arthur Aubœuf, a prominent voice in ecological transition, is scheduled as a guest speaker.
The event has seen a rejuvenation in its participant base, with runners under 40 driving recent growth. The average age of marathon entrants has decreased from over 41 in 2019 to 36 for the 2026 edition. Almost all events are currently sold out, as the organiser voluntarily limits entries to maintain the quality of the participant experience.
The elite field for the 42.2km marathon features Swiss record holder Fabienne Schlumpf. Following surgery in October 2025, the Olympic athlete – who finished 5th at the 2024 New York City Marathon – is seeking qualification for the European Championships in Birmingham.
Fabienne Schlumpf will compete against Kenya’s Rita Jelagat and Noula Stamatia from Greece. The men’s race includes three contenders with personal bests under 2:09:00, such as Aziz Ait, Bacha Zelalem, and Joshua Kemboi. Local interest focuses on Jasper McDowell, the 2025 Lausanne Marathon winner.
The wheelchair half-marathon features Marcel Hug, a global para-sport athlete who recently won the 2026 TCS London Marathon. Marcel Hug, who holds multiple Paralympic gold medals, is a frequent competitor in the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
In the half-marathon, three-time Swiss 10km champion Morgan Le Guen will face Hassan Chahdi, who recently recorded 1:01:03 in Barcelona. They are joined by Brian Kipchumba, winner of the Zurich Half-Marathon in April 2026. The women’s favourite is Hilda Jelagat Kiptum, who holds a personal best of 1:09:31.
The Generali Genève Marathon has been awarded the ‘Unified by Swiss Inclusive Sport’ label, recognising its efforts to promote sport for all abilities. The organiser has also focused on sustainability, reporting a 13% reduction in its carbon footprint compared to 2024.
Environmental initiatives include the removal of plastic bottles 15 years ago in favour of Eau de Genève. The event provides water refill stations for personal containers and eco-cups. In the race village, every food truck offers a vegetarian option at a preferential price through a partnership with Genève Terroir.
Winners at the event receive gift baskets comprised 100% of regional products sourced within a 50km radius. To further reduce waste, the finisher’s medal is now an optional item for participants.
The schedule for the weekend includes junior races and a 5km and 10km event on Saturday evening, May 9, 2026. The half-marathon and wheelchair half-marathon will start at 07:30 CEST on Sunday, May 10, 2026, followed by the full marathon and marathon relay at 09:00 CEST.
The finish line for the races is located on the Pont du Mont-Blanc, providing a view of the Jet d’Eau. The event is supported by Generali and a range of local partners and authorities.
www.generaligenevemarathon.com
