The Jungfrau Marathon starts on the Höhenmatte meadow in Interlaken and climbs continuously for 42 kilometres to the Kleine Scheidegg at 2,061 metres, with 1,800 metres of altitude gain and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau looming over the final stretch. It consistently appears on lists of the world's most beautiful — and most merciless — marathons.
The race is held in early September, when the mountain weather is most reliable and the alpine flowers are still out on the upper slopes. Around 4,000 runners take part, of whom roughly half finish within the time limit. The scenery in the upper sections, above the treeline on the way to Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg, is as good as running gets. Non-participants can watch the start on the Höhenmatte and follow progress on the mountain by train. Entry fills quickly — registration typically opens in the preceding autumn.