Jungfrau Marathon

Jungfrau Marathon

Finish at Kleine Scheidegg

Arrived here the evening before the 19th Jungfrau Marathon, so it was a good job we'd booked as the site at Lauterbrunnen was filling up. A beautiful, sunny day, and a shame that we'd spent most of it travelling. Both of us still missing Provence, and talking about the things still left to do at Bourg d'Oisans, another trip up Alpe dHuez, the balcony route around to the Col de Sarenne, cycle to Oulles, which was the last village to get electricity in the 60s.
With customary Swiss efficiency we were in situ within minutes of arrival and planning tomorrow's walk. Our plans have been slightly affected by the poor exchange rate and, consequently high cost of, well just about everything. Good job we still had quite a few frozen meals I'd made earlier at home!

The following day we set off early and caught the 9am train to Wengen. From there, we walked up to Kleine Scheidegg, taking about 2hours, and after a hearty rosti lunch, we were up towards Eigergletscher, in time to see the first marathon finisher, running to the finish in just over 3 hours. 26miles from Interlaken, road running gradually uphill to Lauterbrunnen, then on steeply upwards to Wengen and following the track we'd just taken on to Kleine Scheidegg. An amazing feat in 3hours. As we walked down the same route as the runners, we passed them in varying states of distress, clumped around a pacemaker with a 5 hour sign, and then later another carrying a 6hour sign! All ages and nationalities. So we smiled sympathetically and uttered words of encouragement, and were so glad not to be accompanying them! Train back to Lauterbrunnen and that was enough for the first day. Not used to walking now and have got sensitive, soft feet! Never mind, will toughen them up by the end of the week. Planning a cycle ride around Lake Brienz tomorrow. Good practice for the New Forest Sportive at the end of this month.