Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon.
The Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon starts on the island of Lindau in Germany, crosses Switzerland and finishes in the Bodensee-Stadion in Bregenz, Austria. Hugging the shore of Lake Constance, the course is almost completely flat and counts among the fastest marathons in the region, so preparation is above all about disciplined, even pacing. Also known as 3-Länder-Marathon and Three Countries Marathon.
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The course, elevation and route profile are from the most recent edition.
Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon: Course, Route Profile & Map
From the start on the island of Lindau, the point-to-point course follows Lake Constance through three countries: from Germany across Switzerland near St. Margrethen into Austria, finishing in the Bodensee-Stadion in Bregenz. The route is officially measured and AIMS-certified, so times run here count for rankings and qualifying standards.
The elevation profile tells a simple story. The entire distance plays out between roughly 394 and 406 metres above sea level. Over ninety percent of the course is completely flat, the rest is made up of gentle rollers, and genuinely steep sections are practically absent. The only rise worth naming comes at kilometre 37.2: a ramp of about 330 metres at an average of 3.5 percent, gaining eleven metres, which still registers late in a marathon.
You run on road, mostly close to the shoreline with the lake as a backdrop. Several thousand participants across all races keep the course lively, and the event motto, borders only exist in your head, fits a race that links three countries in a single morning. The finish inside the stadium in Bregenz gives the long, uniform lakeside miles a distinctive final act.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon.
Start under control
On a course this flat and point-to-point, the race is not decided on a climb but by how even your kilometre splits are. Over ninety percent of the distance is completely flat and the rest only rolls gently, so there is no section that hands back time you gave away earlier.
Hold your rhythm
The main trap is the opening: a fast field and a profile with no natural brakes make it easy to run the first ten kilometres above your planned marathon pace or to chase a group that is too quick. Whatever you overspend here is paid back double after kilometre 30.
Spend what is left
The race-deciding stretch is between kilometres 30 and 40. Right there, at kilometre 37.2, comes the course's only ramp: 330 metres at an average of 3.5 percent. On tired legs it feels much steeper than it is. Run it at constant effort rather than constant pace and accept losing a few seconds, then use the four flat kilometres that remain to settle back into rhythm before the stadium finish.
Training plan for Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon: 12-week build
Build the base
As an age-group athlete, plan for an effort of roughly 3:15 to 5 hours. The demand profile is as steady as a marathon gets: almost uninterrupted flat running with no changes of rhythm, a purely aerobic endurance effort where the difference is made not by climbing strength but by fatigue resistance and running form held over many identical kilometres.
Train race pace
The decisive phase is the final section from kilometre 30, including the short ramp at kilometre 37.2. Whoever can still hold goal pace there gets the most out of this course. That defines the training emphases. First, long runs with a fast finish or marathon-pace blocks in the second half, targeting exactly the fatigue window in which this race is decided.
Rehearse the course
Second, pacing discipline: use tempo runs to practise holding a prescribed pace metronomically, because this course punishes an overeager start more than any hill would. Third, race-condition fuelling, since on a flat course there are no uphill walking breaks and you need to drink and eat without breaking rhythm.
Arrive fresh
Specific hill training is unnecessary; one weekly run over rolling terrain is enough to make the eleven metres of gain at kilometre 37 feel like nothing on race day.
Courses
Download the Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon.
How long is Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon?
Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon is 42.2 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon have?
Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon has around 65 m of elevation gain over 42.2 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon?
Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon is classified as Flat, averaging 1.5 vertical metres per kilometre. 94% of the route is flat, 2% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 0% is steeper than 6%.
Is Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon a loop course?
No, Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon course?
Yes. The Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon?
Preparation for Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon should account for 42.2 km, 65 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon?
The pacing strategy for Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon should reflect 42.2 km, 65 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon next take place?
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The most recent one was held on October 11, 2026.
Where does Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon take place?
Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon takes place in Bregenz, Austria.
Which distances does Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon offer?
Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon offers 3 distances — Sparkasse Marathon: 42.2 km; Skinfit Halbmarathon: 21.1 km; VKW Viertelmarathon: 10.9 km.
How do I register for Sparkasse 3-Länder-Marathon?
Registration runs through the organiser: sparkasse-3-laender-marathon.at. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
