Sierre-Zinal

Sierre-Zinal takes place Early August 2027 (dates TBC) in Sierre, Switzerland. The dress code is Mountain-running kit for competitors; outdoor casual, sun protection and a light windproof for spectators hiking up to viewpoints. Typical cost ranges from 400 to 1400 EUR per person.

Sierre-Zinal in Sierre, Switzerland
Photograph by Anthospace, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia.

A 31 km mountain race known as the Race of the Five 4,000-metre Peaks, climbing about 2,200 m from the Rhone valley at Sierre up to Zinal with the Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn, Obergabelhorn, Matterhorn and Dent Blanche in view. Running since 1974, it pulls the world's best mountain runners into the same start pen as thousands of amateurs. A children's race and bib collection fill the day before.

When
Early August 2027 (dates TBC)
Where
Sierre, Switzerland
Dress code
Mountain-running kit for competitors; outdoor casual, sun protection and a light windproof for spectators hiking up to viewpoints.
Cost
Typical cost ranges from 400 to 1400 EUR per person.
Weather
Up to around 25C in the Sierre valley, cooler and breezy on the high traverse; settled but afternoon storms are possible
When to book
Registration opens in early April and the popular slots fill within days, with some places drawn; book Val d'Anniviers lodging at the same time
Getting there
GVA (Geneva), about 2 hr 15 min to Sierre by motorway or train; Sion (SIR) is the nearest small airport
Where to stay
Hotel Bella Tola, St-Luc, Hotel Le Besso, Zinal, Hotel Terminus, Sierre
Official site
https://www.sierre-zinal.com

How to attend

Entry is through sierre-zinal.com, with registration opening in early April; the field fills quickly and some places are allocated by draw, so enter promptly. Spectating is free with no ticket anywhere on the course, and the Zinal finish area has the best atmosphere. Base yourself in Sierre for the start or higher in the Val d'Anniviers for the finish, and use the postbus network rather than driving.

Enter the race

Insider tip

The best spectating is the balcony traverse above Zinal or the Chandolin and Hotel Weisshorn section, both reachable by the Val d'Anniviers postbus and a short walk from the road.

Get inside Sierre-Zinal

Booking matters here: registration opens in early April and the popular slots fill within days, with some places drawn; book Val d'Anniviers lodging at the same time. Members track that window, what it really costs, and 573 more events across the season.

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