Fun and sporty event, the Course de l’Escalade gathers, every first week-end of December, an impressive number of runners: there were over 59'000 participants in 2025, positioning the event as by far the biggest running event in Switzerland and one of the biggest in Europe.

The subtlety of the event lies in the dual mission its Committee has set itself.

The race must be popular, welcoming and beneficial to the community, by raising awareness of the benefits of regular physical activity.

The race must also be highly competitive and coveted by national and international elite athletes, who provide a quality spectacle and serve as an example to young people.

This ingenious blend of fun and seriousness brings together public institutions, sponsors and partners, schools and associations in a collective effort, in the magic of a Geneva winter, to promote the values of the race: fun, respect, solidarity, integration and excellence.