Race Reviews: Lausanne Half Marathon

What is the Lausanne Half Marathon race like?

What is the Lausanne Half Marathon course like?

From racing in 2024.

General

A large half marathon race with a simple out and back route that isn't as easy phsyically as it seems despite being net negative elevation. The surrounding scenery is stunning.

• Starts halfway up Lausanne, finishes at the bottom in the port,.

• Closed roads

• Check the wind!

• Net negative but the undualtion is constant - be prepared.

• Running in full view of a UNESCO heritage site, the Lavaux vineyards are stunning.

• Finishing kilometre is fantastic.

Climate

Wind - check the direction if you can the race goes up and down the same road that can often be very windy and gusty as it's on the border of the large lake. Typically it'll be infront or behind you on that road and not often from the side so if you're against the wind in the first half, happy days when you turn around but be prepared not to sense that if it's the reverse! The temperature should be pretty mild, averages through October are around 15-8 degrees Celsius. Despite heavy periods of rain that are almost monsoon like due to the mountains, Lausanne has quite dry are so humidity is not too often an expected problem.

The Start

The start is on the main road by Parc de Milan in the lower centre of Lausanne. The park is big and spacious so does not feel too crammed. The bib collection if you are collecting on the day is by the finish line at the bottom of a very steep hill from the start line - don't do that too late and have to go full Kate Bush running up that hill. There are a decent amount of portaloos in the park too.

The race does have a few different starting blocks depending on your predictive pace. There are good runners that take part and typically draws in a few elite runners from Africa so if you aren't at that end, don't be a hero and go to the front or you will get dropped FAST.

The race starts with good crowds lining the first 1km, it slightly rises up so do not go out too hard as with the adrenaline you won't even feel the extra effort you're putting in.

The 2nd Km goes DOWN, steep hill! Confident runner or not take this part relaxed and it's steep enough to ruin your race if you go too hard and smash your quads (trust me....)

The Middle

As you come off the hill you start on the same road you'll come back on. You can take momentum from the hill over the next kilometre as you make your way out of town as it's slightly decscending.

You will pass through Lutry, a charming little lakeside village that you'll come back through the centre of.

You are then on the road to the turn point at the next main village of Cully. This is a long stretch and you might start to see people coming back the other way depending on where you are. This stretch on the way there and back seems very flat but the constant gradual undulations could catch you out.

However - this is where don't forget to look up. I may have bias but this is truly one of the nicest sceneries in the world. The Lavaux vineyards, mountains in the distance and lake on your right. If it's a nice day and then you'll be grinning ear to ear.

At the turn point you will go down into Cully, another lovely lakeside town that'll have you wanting to stop for a pastry and glass of wine. A brief 100-200m of descent before a gradual 400m rise out on the other side and back on the other side of the same road facing the undulations from the other direction.

Not an awful lot to say on the way back, this is where the race isn't so enjoyable as you go back on the same road with a less nice view and it could start to hurt as you start to go deep and face a long stretch.

Cobbles in Lutry! One thing to expect is the cobbled street of Lutry as you go back slightly different and hit the cobbles. They're not hard like runnng Iin Rome and it's beautiful but worth expecting.

The Finish

Out of Lutry you have about 3km of flat and some slight inclune from until you turn around 19km in front of the bottom of the hill you came down at the start. If you've paced yourself well this is where to hit the hammer, there is a slight downhill for 50m and you can carry momentum onto the panflat kilometre on Lausanne lakefront. You'll be able to see almost the whole length of it from the start.

Don't miss the Olympic Museum on your right and sip an extra bit of inspiration to drive you to that finish line.

At the end of the straight at the port of Ouchy, the crowds suddenly pick up and you hook a left and swing around the park area before bombing down the lively but cordoned off harbour.

A small wiggle around the boatyard and then it is the finishing straight.

The finish is really big and impressive. There is a viewing stand, large screens, music, commentator, the carpet, the full works! Because there is a 10k and marathon on the same day it allows for an extra impressive finish experience.

After

At the finish line there is lots of entertainment in the form of food stalls, drinks and sponsor tents offering products and free trials.

If you can book in advance and get in, the best place to saunter too is Lacustre at port Ouchy for one of their epic pizzas and maybe some extra sides and one of their many good alcoholic refreshments if you're that way inclined.

And of course check your strava....as photo suggests