Switzerland’s hospitality sector will combine travel, wellness and community action when Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva hosts the 18th edition of the Run of Hope on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
The annual event supports the Geneva League Against Cancer while creating an inclusive experience for runners, families, visitors and residents. Participants will gather near Île Rousseau, close to the hotel and Geneva’s celebrated waterfront.
The event is designed around participation rather than competition. Guests can choose between a 5-kilometre run, a 10-kilometre run or a 5-kilometre family walk, creating opportunities for people of different ages and fitness levels to join.
Beyond fundraising, the initiative highlights a growing role for hospitality businesses in creating experiences connected with social responsibility. For travellers visiting Geneva, the event provides another way to engage with the city beyond traditional sightseeing.
Geneva waterfront becomes the event stage
Activities are scheduled to begin from 8:00 am, with the first participants expected to start at 9:30 am.
Routes will take runners and walkers through some of Geneva’s most recognisable lakeside surroundings, including areas around Quai du Mont-Blanc and Quai Wilson.
The setting gives participants an opportunity to experience Geneva from a different perspective while supporting a community cause.
Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues occupies a prominent position overlooking Lake Geneva and has been part of the city’s hospitality landscape since 1834. Its central location also places guests close to the Old Town, shopping areas and major waterfront attractions.
For visitors, events such as the Run of Hope can add a distinctive dimension to a city break. They combine outdoor activity, local participation and a stronger connection with the destination.
Terry Fox legacy continues in Switzerland
The Run of Hope draws inspiration from Terry Fox, whose Marathon of Hope became an enduring international symbol of cancer research fundraising.
Fox began his cross-Canada journey in 1980 after losing a leg to bone cancer. He aimed to raise funds and awareness by running the equivalent of a marathon each day.
Over 143 days, he covered 5,374 kilometres before cancer spreading to his lungs forced him to end the journey.
His efforts generated extraordinary public support and ultimately helped inspire Terry Fox Runs around the world.
Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva has carried that spirit into its own community programme, creating an annual event centred on solidarity, participation and support for people affected by cancer.
Long-running hotel initiative supports Geneva community
The first Run of Hope at Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva was held in 2008.
The 2025 event marked its 17th edition, making the September 2026 gathering the 18th instalment of the programme.
Since 2015, the initiative has raised more than CHF 173,000 for the Geneva League Against Cancer.
The organisation supports people living with cancer and their families while also contributing to prevention, awareness and research-related initiatives.
Its activities include personalised assistance and practical guidance for people navigating the challenges associated with cancer.
The continuing partnership demonstrates how a luxury hotel can use its profile and location to support a wider community purpose.
Purpose-led experiences broaden hospitality appeal
Travellers increasingly look for experiences that provide a meaningful connection with destinations.
Traditional city breaks remain important, but visitors can also be drawn to local sporting events, cultural programmes, environmental activities and charitable initiatives.
This creates opportunities for hotels to play a broader role in destination engagement.
The Run of Hope illustrates that model. Rather than functioning only as a hotel-hosted event, it brings together visitors, local residents and families around a shared objective.
Geneva’s waterfront location further enhances its appeal for travellers interested in active experiences.
Participants can combine the event with a wider stay encompassing the lake, the city’s historic quarters, restaurants, museums and surrounding landscapes.
Geneva hospitality connects wellness and community
The event also aligns naturally with Geneva’s wider wellness and outdoor tourism appeal.
Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues promotes lakeside activities, fitness experiences and wellness facilities as part of its guest offering. The Run of Hope expands that emphasis into a community setting.
Walking and running alongside Lake Geneva can turn physical activity into a social and emotional experience rather than simply a fitness challenge.
The non-competitive structure reinforces that objective by keeping the focus on inclusion.
Families, casual walkers and experienced runners can participate within the same programme while contributing to the same cause.
September event adds meaning to Switzerland travel
The Run of Hope 2026 will give visitors to Geneva an opportunity to experience the city through community participation while supporting an important cause.
It also demonstrates how Switzerland’s hospitality industry can create value beyond accommodation and dining.
By continuing its collaboration with the Geneva League Against Cancer and honouring the legacy of Terry Fox, Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva is positioning the event around compassion, wellness and collective action.
For travellers seeking experiences with a stronger sense of purpose, the September gathering adds another dimension to Geneva’s tourism offering.
The 18th Run of Hope will therefore be more than a waterfront run. It will connect hospitality, residents and international visitors around a shared commitment to hope, awareness and cancer research.
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