Question 1

How hard is Sierre-Zinal?

Accepted Answer

Short but savage. The 31km course packs 2,200m of climbing, and more than half of it comes in the first 10km — over 1,300m is done by the Ponchette aid station at km 7.1. Elite winners finish around 2.5 hours; the Tourist category is designed for anyone expecting over 4h30. The final descent into Zinal drops on grass slopes of 30–40% grade, so downhill-ready quads matter as much as climbing fitness.

Question 2

What is the elevation profile of Sierre-Zinal?

Accepted Answer

2,200m of gain and 1,100m of descent over 31km. The course climbs steeply from Sierre through forest to Ponchette and Chandolin, then rolls along a high traverse near 2,400m past Tignousa, Hôtel Weisshorn and Nava, before a steep final descent into Zinal at 1,675m.

Question 3

What are the start times and categories at Sierre-Zinal?

Accepted Answer

Two categories. The Tourist category starts in blocks from 04:45 to 06:15 and is for participants expecting to take more than 4h30 — you receive an official time but no ranking and no ITRA or UTMB index points. The Runners category starts later in the morning (elite wave 9:45) and is ranked. Arrive at the start area at least 30 minutes before your block.

Question 4

What are the cut-off times at Sierre-Zinal?

Accepted Answer

Chandolin 10:40, Tignousa 12:00, Hôtel Weisshorn 13:30, and the final cut-off at the Zinal finish is 17:30 for both categories.

Question 5

What are the course records at Sierre-Zinal?

Accepted Answer

Men: 2:25:35 by Kilian Jornet in 2019, breaking Jonathan Wyatt's 2:29:12 which had stood since 2003 — it was Jornet's seventh win. Women: 2:46:03 by Maude Mathys in 2021; she won four consecutive editions from 2019 to 2022.

Question 6

How do I get to the Sierre-Zinal start?

Accepted Answer

Sierre is on the main Rhône valley rail line with up to 4 trains per hour from Geneva, plus a special race-night train departing Geneva at 01:58 and arriving Sierre at 04:07 for the early Tourist blocks. Free shuttles run from the bus stop at Restaurant Le Bourgeois (4 minutes from Sierre station) to the start area. On race day, drivers should park at Mottec down-valley from Zinal and use the free shuttles running 08:00–22:00.

Question 7

Where should I stay for Sierre-Zinal?

Accepted Answer

Zinal is a small village with only a handful of hotels (Le Besso, Europe, La Pointe de Zinal) plus the SWISSPEAK Resorts apartments, and race-weekend beds disappear up to a year ahead. Alternatives: Ayer or Grimentz down-valley, or Sierre itself — more beds, and you start the race from that side with free shuttles to the start line.

Sierre-Zinal

Activity map

Race Weekend Tips & Meetups

Event Information

Available Distances

Frequently Asked Questions