Media release ,  12.5.2025

Generali Geneva Marathon & Running Market Research

Triumph for all participants: 25,428 finishers showcase running as the #1 sport in Switzerland at the Generali Geneva Marathon

• The Generali Geneva Marathon took place in Geneva at the weekend. 25,428 finishers crossed the finish line amid fine weather. The marathon was won by Ethiopian Tsega Desta in the women's category (2h34’41) and by Kenyan Collins Kemboi in the men's category (2h11’37).
• A representative Generali survey shows that 84% of Swiss people partake in one or more sports. Running is the number one, followed by swimming and cycling.
• Running for a good cause: The Generali foundation “The Human Safety Net” supports families in difficult circumstances in Switzerland. Last weekend, 18,000 Swiss francs were raised.

Adliswil – 25,428 runners crossed the finish line at the Generali Geneva Marathon this weekend – each of them achieving their own personal victories over their chosen distance. This highlights the great enthusiasm of the Swiss for running and reaffirms Generali’s commitment as title partner of the Generali Geneva Marathon. The marathon was won by Ethiopian Tsega Desta in the women's category (2h34’41) and by Kenyan Collins Kemboi in the men's category (2h11’37).

Sport-loving Switzerland: 84% of people actively partake in a sport – running being the number one

In a representative survey, Generali Switzerland asked almost 2,500 Swiss people about their relationship to sport in general and running in particular. Out of 2,488 respondents, 84% say they do one or more sports. Running is the most popular (39%), followed by swimming (38%) and cycling (36%).

One third of people strengthen their bone stability by doing strength training, and one in five opt for a yoga session. Only 16% are completely uninterested in sport.

Swiss running habits: a look at Swiss people’s running habits 

38% of the respondents say they have been running regularly for longer than five years. Most runners (63%) run for between 30 and 60 minutes per session. Almost half of the respondents (45%) cover fewer than 10 kilometres per week, preferring moderate running training that fits easily into their daily schedule. One third, on the other hand, train slightly more intensively and run 10–20 kilometres per week.

More than half prefer to run in the evening, very often to compensate for spending much of the day sitting down in the office. But early mornings are also popular, with 31% of the respondents choosing this time to get the day off to a good start with a clear head. 41% of the respondents run mainly during the week, and 38% run both during the week and at the weekend. A fifth of the respondents run only at the weekend.

The reasons for running are also interesting: More than half of the respondents say they are interested in fitness and weight loss when they put on their running gear. 44% cite stress reduction as their motivation for running, while 43% would like to improve their stamina.

Running for a good cause with The Human Safety Net

By registering for the Generali Geneva Marathon, runners were able to voluntarily donate an amount to The Human Safety Net, Generali’s global foundation that works to help families in difficult circumstances in Switzerland. Last weekend, 18,000 Swiss francs were raised.

Generali is also a partner of the Auffahrtslauf St. Gallen running event and the SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne.

Study profile

2,488 Swiss residents took part in this study, including 1,474 running enthusiasts. The survey is representative in terms of age, region and gender. The survey period was 30 August 2024 to 3 September 2024.