We invite you to take part in our new challenge event, Maritime Mountain Race (26th-28th June 2026) raising funds for seafarers’ welfare. As many of you know, seafarers frequently operate in perilous conditions, facing isolation, exhaustion, and both mental and physical health challenges, as well as the looming dangers of abandonment, shipwreck, and piracy. Funds raised from this event will enable us to provide more vital welfare support across the world.
Join the Mission and fellow shipping companies and colleagues for The Maritime Mountain Race, a fundraising challenge event in the Swiss Mountains, on 26-28th June 2026. Teams of three (3) will undertake a scenic, yet challenging route through the mountains of Le Bouveret in aid of raising a minimum of US $5,000 for The Mission to Seafarers. We have two routes to choose from, to suit your team’s challenge ability: the Lighthouse route (11k) and the Sails & Summit route (16k). There are many advantages to taking part – raising funds for seafarers’ welfare, meeting with like-minded people from the shipping and commodity sectors, camaraderie, team-work, fitness and above all having a lot of fun!
Registration for a team of three (3) is US $5,600. The team registration fee will need to be paid in two payments, US $3,900 directly to The Mission to Seafarers and US $1,700 directly to Cesar Ritz. After registration the MMR Events Team will assist with payment.
Sponsorship opportunities available, with details on our Sponsors Page.
To find out more, please see below and explore this website or, download the participant brochure for a summary.
Teams must consist of three (3) members, who are 18 years or older. MtS welcomes all individuals—regardless of athletic ability—to participate. This presents a great opportunity for team building within your company. Each company can enter up to a max of two (2) teams.
Teams will consist of one (1) x Captain and two (2) x Team Members. The Captain is responsible for the overall team and it’s members ensuring your team abides by the event rules & regulations. The Captain will be the main point of contact for the team pre-event, onsite & post-event. The Captain must ensure your each team members online profile is complete as well as the Team’s online profile ahead of the event.
When registering, your team captain will need to select the chosen race route your team wishes to participate in. All three (3) team members must participate in the same race, start together and finish together to qualify for entry into the Award Categories. See our Race Information Page for more details on each race route and to assist you in choosing which race to participate in.
All three team members will receive exclusive MMR event merchandise, including:
The event starts on the afternoon of Friday 26th June where Teams will make their own way to the César Ritz Colleges Switzerland in Le Bouveret, our event venue and recommended accommodation. Upon arrival, head to the Event Registration desk to check in with the Events Team, receive your event merchandise and receive your accommodation key. You’ll then be required to have your kit checked by our Course Team to ensure you (& your team) have the all the mandatory kit for the following day’s race (see our Equipment page for more information on required kit for the event). After dropping your bags in your single room accommodation with private ensuite, join us for the evening.
Friday evening continues with a networking Welcome Drinks Reception for you to get to know your fellow teams participating in the event. We then have a Safety Briefing and as safety is a high priority for the industry and for the Mission, it is therefore mandatory that your team attends this briefing before participating in the race. After the safety briefing you’ll tuck into a delicious Welcome Dinner buffet with inclusive drinks. You have the opportunity for your evening to continue with networking in the Ritz Lounge and optional drinks till 23:00.
Wake up energised on Saturday 27th June as it’s race day. After fuelling at up the buffet breakfast your team will take on their chosen race either the Lighthouse Race or the Sails & Summits Race. The Lighthouse Race is 11k and accessible to average levels of fitness and the elevation of the race will take this into account. The Sails & Summits Race is 16k with increased elevation and aimed at the more adventurous racers, those who train regularly and are comfortable completing 10K easily on the flat. When registering for the event your team will select the race they wish to participate in.
Both races start out the front of the César Ritz, with the routes taking you straight towards the mountains of Le Bouveret. During the course, the Lighthouse racers will be on a less steep gradient overall, but both routes will encounter peaks, rivers, lakes, and panoramic views over Lake Geneva. The races will finish back at the hotel, and you must cross the finish line together as a team of three, where you’ll be welcomed across the finish line with a participation medal, flowing food from the BBQ and cold beers!
Saturday evening sees all participants come together sharing a drink or two with new friends at the Awards Drinks Reception, followed by the Awards Ceremony, this is yet another key part of our event, recognising & celebrating achievement of the teams. All Awards will be given at the Awards Ceremony, so every reason to be there to collect your award! (See below for further details on the Awards). After the Awards Ceremony welcome the chance to exchange stories and experiences during the Awards Dinner buffet whilst images from the day’s races are shown. The atmosphere will be one of great friendships, as only the industry can do so well! The Ritz Lounge will be open again for post-dinner networking and late night conversations till 23:00 with optional drinks available.
On Sunday morning enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast, before checking out at 10:00 and making your way back home. A time well spent with seafarers ultimately benefitting!
As raising awareness and funds for seafarers is at the heart of the Maritime Mountain Race by participating each team commits to raising a minimum of US$5,000 in donations towards the Mission to Seafarer’s frontline work, and we encourage you to aspire to raise more.
All donations must be paid through your team’s dedicated fundraising page on the Maritime Mountain Website and the team with the highest fundraising will receive an award and recognition at the event. Amounts on external fundraising sites (JustGiving, GoFundMe, etc) will not be counted towards the Fundraising Awards. See below for more details on the awards.
We’ve developed fundraising resources to assist your team’s fundraising efforts, check them out on our Fundraising page.
On the Saturday evening we’ll have the Maritime Mountain Race Awards Ceremony to celebrate your teams fundraising and physical achievements. We have six team awards available, split across our two races:
Sails & Summits Fastest Team – The Team undertaking the Sails & Summits race with the fastest completion time
Sails & Summits Highest Fundraising Team – The Team undertaking the Sails & Summits race with the highest fundraised amount (via their team’s dedicated fundraising page on the Maritime Mountain Website, amounts on external fundraising sites will not be counted)
Sails & Summits Overall Winner – Combined award for The Team undertaking the Sails & Summits race with the highest fundraised amount and the fastest completion time
Lighthouse Fastest Team – The Team undertaking the Lighthouse race with the fastest completion time
Lighthouse Highest Fundraising Team – The Team undertaking the Lighthouse race with the highest fundraised amount (via their team’s dedicated fundraising page on the Maritime Mountain Website, amounts on external fundraising sites will not be counted)
Lighthouse Overall Winner – Combined award for The Team undertaking the Lighthouse race with the highest fundraised amount and the fastest completion time
