Gondo Marathon

The Gondo Marathon takes runners over the Simplon Pass between Gondo and Ried-Brig in Valais, Switzerland. It occurs annually on the first weekend in August and is Switzerland’s only two-day double marathon. The main race spans 84 km over two stages, with 4,200 metres of elevation gain, placing it closer to mountain ultratrail running than a standard road marathon. Shorter options include a single mountain marathon and a 28 km race. The event originated as a memorial to the landslide that buried Gondo on 14 October 2000, claiming 13 lives. The two-day route proceeds from Gondo to Ried-Brig on the first day and returns via a different path on the second, largely on singletrack trails through high pass terrain. It is part of the Valaisan Cup, but the atmosphere is small and local, not crowded or commercial, with participants and support staff fostering a family feel.