Muskathlon Switzerland 2026 in Nottwil: 42 People Take Part for glowbalact

Sep 4

5 min read

On Saturday, August 29, 2026, Muskathlon Switzerland took place in Nottwil. Participants took on a personal athletic challenge, either running or hiking, while raising funds for one of the event’s two charity partners, glowbalact and Compassion.

Forty-two participants took part in the Muskathlon for glowbalact. They ran or hiked distances ranging from 10.5 to 42 kilometers and spent the months leading up to the event raising funds to support women as they rebuild their lives after human trafficking and exploitation and work toward a life of independence and self-determination.

Three Starts and Plenty of Excitement

Läufer und Wandernde starten gemeinsam. — The first start early in the morning.

One by one, the first participants began to arrive. They picked up their race numbers and Muskathlon shirts, got changed, and prepared for their run or hike. At 8:30 a.m., the first participants lined up at the starting line. The countdown began, and then the marathon and 31-kilometer runners, along with the 21-kilometer hiking group, were off.

The 2026 Muskathlon was officially underway.

An hour later, it was already time for the second start. Just before then, Severin returned from the first of his four 10.5-kilometer loops. He was greeted with cheers and high-fives, grabbed a quick refreshment, and headed straight back out for his next loop.

Then the 10.5-kilometer hiking group lined up at the starting line. Before they set off, Matthias Oppliger from glowbalact and Philippe Genre from Compassion reminded the participants once again who they were taking on this challenge and raising funds for that day. At 10 a.m., the 10.5-kilometer runners set off in the third and final start of the day.

Cheering, High-Fives, and Celebrating at the Finish Line

From then on, there was always something happening around the start and finish area. Participants came through after each loop, cheered on and greeted with high-fives by family and friends. They grabbed a quick refreshment before heading back out for their next loop.

One by one, the first participants began crossing the finish line. As soon as someone appeared in the distance, people gathered at the finish to cheer them on through those final meters. Farid was already waiting with the medals, placing one around each participant’s neck as they crossed the finish line.

Once most participants had completed their distance, everyone gathered in the shade for a delicious risotto with salad, followed by coffee and cake for dessert. Participants sat together with their families and fellow Muskathlon participants, visited the three organizations’ booths, and had time to connect and talk.

But not everyone had made it to the finish line yet. Salome was still out on the final loop of her marathon, while Regine, Rachel, and the Bron family were completing their second loop of the 21-kilometer hike.

Mirko, Bernhard, Mirka, and Matthias on the final stretch, just before the finish line.

When Everyone Gets Up to Cheer in the Middle of an Impact Story

At 1:30 p.m., participants and guests gathered to hear the impact stories from the two charity partners. As they heard about what the funds raised would make possible, people kept glancing back toward the finish line.

And sure enough, right in the middle of the first impact story, Regine and Rachel suddenly appeared in the distance.

The story was put on hold, and everyone stood up to cheer them on through their final meters. The cheers were so loud that the two even found the energy for one last little sprint, running the final stretch to the finish line. Then it was back to the impact stories.

Tabea from glowbalact was almost at the end of her story when Salome came down the final stretch after 42 kilometers. Once again, everyone stood up, clapping and cheering her on through those last few meters. At the finish line, she was welcomed with hugs from her family and her younger brother, David, who had run 10.5 kilometers himself that day.

Now only the Bron family was still out on the course, hiking the 21 kilometers together.

Regine and Rachel on their final sprint, and Salome just before high-fiving Melanie as she crossed the finish line.

The Final Finish of the 2026 Muskathlon

Back in the tent, the two charity partners thanked the participants. Nathalie Schranz, who was in charge of the Muskathlon event, gave the closing remarks.

Just as she finished speaking, she received word that the last family would be arriving soon. The official program had come to an end, and participants were starting to get ready to head home. But when they heard that the family was almost at the finish line, everyone made their way back over. They lined up on both sides of the final stretch and waited.

It took a little while longer. Then, suddenly, the family of five came around the corner.

“It was the best experience of my life.” – Tymaël, Muskathlon participant

The cheering and applause started immediately. On their final stretch, the family walked between the people waiting for them and crossed the finish line to an incredible wave of cheers. Full of joy and pride, the five of them received their medals and posed together for their well-deserved finisher photo.

Later, Cristina, their mom, shared that Matteo was so moved that everyone had waited for them and welcomed them at the finish line that he was brought to tears. That evening, his brother told her it had been the best experience of his life.

For us, that finish captures what the Muskathlon is all about: completing your own challenge while cheering on and supporting others—until everyone has crossed the finish line.

The entire Muskathlon community welcomes the Bron family with a wave and cheers.

What Is the Muskathlon?

The Muskathlon is a charity sporting event organized by 4M Switzerland, where participants combine a personal athletic challenge with fundraising for a good cause.

In the lead-up to the event, Muskathlon participants raise funds among their family, friends, and personal networks for one of the charity partners. At the 2026 Muskathlon Switzerland in Nottwil, participants could choose from running and hiking distances ranging from 10.5 to 42 kilometers.

CHF 53,005 Raised for Women After Human Trafficking and Exploitation

Months before the start in Nottwil, the 42 participants began their personal fundraising campaigns. They told family, friends, and others in their networks why they were taking part in the Muskathlon, sent messages, and shared their fundraising pages.

So far, their efforts have raised CHF 53,005 to support glowbalact’s work.

What does that amount mean in practical terms? With the funds raised so far, we can support around 15 women for approximately two years.

This support begins with our three-month course, where we help women identify their strengths and prepare for the job market—for example, by creating a résumé, practicing job interviews, and taking a closer look at their financial situation. After the course, our social workers provide each woman with individual support for approximately two years as she works toward finding a job. Depending on her situation, this may include support with the job search and application process, navigating the challenges of starting and settling into a new job, or working through personal difficulties and the effects of trauma.

And the current total is not yet the final result: The participants’ personal fundraising pages will remain open through September 30, 2026.

Thank You to Our Muskathlon Participants

Behind the CHF 53,005 raised are 42 people who trained for their personal athletic challenge, completed their running or hiking distance, and talked with people in their own communities about human trafficking, exploitation, and the work we do.

A heartfelt thank you for your commitment, your time, and every single kilometer. Thank you as well to your families and friends who joined you in Nottwil and cheered you on, and to everyone who supported one of the fundraising campaigns.