Switzerland · Valais
Distance
43 km
Date
Entry fee
—
€ / km
—
Verbier Marathon (43km): Switzerland's Oldest Ultra Trail, Measured
Verbier Marathon is a 43km alpine trail race held on July 11–12, 2026 in Valais, Switzerland, starting from Moay (Bruson) via cable car and finishing in Verbier. Part of the Trail Verbier St-Bernard by UTMB event — described as the oldest ultra trail in Switzerland — the course gains 3,000m (69.8 m/km) across Mont Rogneux (3,084m), the Panossière glacier suspension bridge, and panoramic ridgelines with Grand Combin and Mont Blanc views.
The average uphill gradient of 15.9% is estimated in the top 7% of European trail races; the average downhill of −15.9% may rank even higher — estimated top 4–6%. The biggest descent drops 1,572m over 11.9 km; a final climb at km 37.53 (642m, 12.9% avg) returns runners to Verbier from below. All distances are sold out. Entry fee not published (sold out). Geneva Airport (GVA) is 134 minutes away. With 2 UTMB Running Stones (50K category), the Verbier Marathon suits technically capable alpine runners with some of the most demanding gradient density in the European 40–50km race calendar.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
3,000m
D+/KM
69.8m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
15.9%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-15.9%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 1.8 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 4.5 km | |
| 10–15% | 4.2 km | |
| 15–20% | 2.5 km | |
| 20%+ | 5.6 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 43.7% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 9.9% | Flat |
| 46.4% | Downhill |
Terrain
Trail Verbier St-Bernard by UTMB – 43 km 43km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 1 | 7.0 km · 721 m gain starts km 0 · avg 10.3% · max 38.1% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 5.0 km · 642 m gain starts km 38 · avg 12.9% · max 39.3% |
| 3 | 2.6 km · 599 m gain starts km 10 · avg 22.7% · max 88.1% |
Top descents
| 1 | 11.9 km · 1,572 m drop starts km 21 · avg -13.2% · max -44.0% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 4.4 km · 839 m drop starts km 12 · avg -19.3% · max -42.7% |
| 3 | 1.3 km · 301 m drop starts km 18 · avg -23.0% · max -44.9% |
One of Europe's Steepest 43km Races: The Trail Verbier St-Bernard Verbier Marathon 43 km Difficulty Profile
How hard is the Verbier Marathon (43km)?
▼
Among the steepest 43km races in Europe. At ~69.8 m/km elevation density — estimated top 10–17% of the DTR database — it packs more vertical per kilometre than almost any other race in this distance bracket. Average uphill gradient 15.88% and downhill −15.94% are both estimated top ~10% of European ultras. A 1,572m descent over 12km and a late-race return climb of 642m at km 37.53 define the physical arc of the race.
Sold Out Every Year: Registration and Entry Strategy for the Trail Verbier St-Bernard Marathon 43 km
Does the Verbier Marathon sell out?
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Yes — all distances are sold out for 2026. Register as soon as the 2027 window opens via verbier.utmb.world. The event draws 5,400+ runners from 65 countries across all distances.
Is The Verbier Marathon a UTMB Qualifier?
Is The Verbier Marathon a UTMB Qualifier?▼
Yes — 2 UTMB Running Stones (50K category) toward the UTMB Mont-Blanc lottery.
Trail Verbier St-Bernard Marathon 43km Entry Cost: Fees, Sell-Out Status, and When to Register
How much does the Verbier Marathon cost?
▼
Entry fee not publicly available — race is sold out and fee removed from UTMB site. Check verbier.utmb.world when 2027 registration opens (~spring).
Geneva Airport, Train to Martigny, and Cable-Car Access for Verbier Marathon 43km
How do I get to the Verbier Marathon start?
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Geneva Airport (GVA) is approximately 134 minutes away. By public transport: train Geneva → Martigny (~1.5 hrs), bus/taxi to Verbier. The start is cable-car accessed from Le Châble (above Verbier) — verify shuttle arrangements from the official runner's guide. Book Verbier accommodation immediately when you register — the luxury resort fills fast for the race weekend.
Getting to Trail Verbier St-Bernard by UTMB – 43 km
Nearest airport
Geneva (GVA)
Notes
Start: ~2–2.5 hrs by car or train to Martigny + bus/taxi to Verbier / Public transport: good (train to Martigny) + bus to Verbier / Accommodation: strong but fills fast in Verbier; book early
