Jungfrau-Marathon – pass through the marathon at the Bernese Oberland

4.000 starters. With that the this year\’s marathon also is completely and for a long time booked-out. Runners – a lot of them \“repeated perpetrators\“ – from over 50 nations and from every continent take the challenge from 26.2187 miles (42.195 km) and 6.033.45 feet (1.839 m) raising under their feet.

I think we should believe the German marathon run magazine which designates the Jungfrau-Marathon as the \“Mountain run Olymp\“ and the American ultimate marathon guide which even designates it as the \“most beautiful marathon of the world\“ even if we should be careful with such superlatives. The storm of the last year showed that the carrying out of a marathon in the Alps – with the best preparations and the most motivated helpers – sometimes hangs at a very slender thread. There were people who first shoveld free the marathon race before they looked after their houses in mud mass. The wounds of the storm disappear gradually, what stays is the unique natural scenery and the motivated band of helpers. This year the runners also should be well even if the race demands some strains from the runners and they should be able to enjoy the guaranteed warm shower at the Kleinen Scheidegg.

The start is found in the centre of the known holiday resort Interlaken. The first 16.093 miles (10 km) are flat and lead along the Breinzersee before the race rises round 984.25 feet (300 m) along the mountain brook \“Lütschine\“ in the valley towards Lauterbrunnen up to the half-marathon. Past the famous dust-brook-falls follows the burdensome 25.7496 miles (16 km) up to the Kleinen Scheidegg, quasi to the border of the Jungfrau.

A big challenge forms the shift after 41.834 miles (26 km) from the flat first part to the very steep ascent up to the worldcup-skiing place Wengen. Away from mile 48.27 (km 30) there are still waiting 3\’280.813 feet (1\’000 m) of rising. The outlook on the grand and more and more getting alpine mountains compensates every drop of sweat. After mile 62.751 (km 39) follows the most steep ascent to the meanwhile world-famous moraine.

Along the waterfalls in great atmosphere in Lauterbrunnen (about half of the race)

Obviously the Jungfrau-Marathon is distinguished by an attractive frame-programme. Together with the standards like pasta-party, marathon-expo and cool runners party with victory ceremony there is on Friday the Jungfrau-Minirun for the rising runners. Previously at the for the first time leaded through Jungfrau-Minimarathon over flat 6.7892 miles (4.219 km, three rounds around the Höhematte) in the heart of Interlaken the run beginners venture to approach slowly to the marathon distance and simultaneous they can do something good for mine victims at the mine-ex-sponsoring race from the Rotary Club. The marathon runners will slowly feel the running fever at latest with the starting shot for the Jungfrau-Mile an élite race over 1 mile. This year the Swiss athletic-heroes of past times also will show at the Jungfrau-Master Mile if really respectively how strong the tooth of time has gnawn at their running condition.

But for the spectators the Jungfrau-Marathon is attractive too. Because of the Jungfrau-train practical the whole race can be observed by train and so a unique excursion to the mountains of the Bernese Oberland can be made.

Jungfrau-Marathon – pass through the marathon at the Bernese Oberland

But for the spectators the Jungfrau-Marathon is attractive too. Because of the Jungfrau-train practical the whole race can be observed by train and so a unique excursion to the mountains of the Bernese Oberland can be made.

The spectators are very realistically there with the Jungfrau-train

The Bernese Oberland is looking forward to your visit. As a special attraction there will take place the 4th long-distance-mountain-race world championship at the 8th September 2007 within the scope of the 15th Jungfrau-Marathon. More informations you can find at
www.jungfrau-marathon.ch.

See you soon…