Marathon Des Saveurs

Marathon Des Saveurs is a food-and-wine race in Sion, the capital of Valais in Switzerland, held around mid-October after the grape harvest. It offers two similar road routes, about 21.5 km and 23 km, both starting at Place de la Planta in the medieval town center. The longer route is the more popular one and climbs about 650 meters, so this is not a flat tasting stroll with a race bib attached. The routes head in opposite directions through the Rhône valley, using roads, steep vineyard slopes, terraces, and paths beside the old bisses, the irrigation channels built to carry water across the hillsides. Five aid stations serve local wines and regional food, with raclette, strudel, and wine made from grapes grown along the course replacing the usual gels and sports drinks. Runners collect a water bottle and a wine glass, start in staggered waves, and pass below Sion’s two hilltop castles, Valere and Tourbillon.