FAQ - Häufig gestellte Fragen - Saunamarathon Schaffhausen

Questions regarding the format of the Schaffhausen Sauna Marathon

When does the Sauna Marathon Schaffhausen take place?
On Friday, January 17, 2025 (marathon and warm-up party) and on Saturday, January 18, 2025 (actual marathon, award ceremony, marathon finish).
>> Programme and schedule

How exactly does a sauna marathon work?
The idea is to visit as many saunas, hot tubs and other facilities as possible, marked on a map, in a given time. There are permanently installed saunas and hot tubs as well as fixtures specially built for the occasion in unique locations.
The sauna marathon is NOT about staying in a sauna for as long as possible. Ultimately, it's not primarily about the time, but about having fun!

Can you only participate as a team? And how big are the teams?
We recommend participation as a team. Tickets are available for teams of 4, 3, and 2, as well as individual tickets. Gender does not matter.
>> Tickets

I have a single ticket. Is it possible to join a team?
Yes, participants can form teams at registration (until shortly before the start of the marathon on Saturday). If you spontaneously make new friends on Friday, you can also expand your team at registration on Saturday until before the start of the marathon (10:00 am).

In a sauna you are naked, right?
In our part of the world, saunas are usually clothing-free. As many locations at the sauna marathon have a lot of public traffic (e.g. pedestrian zone), we ask participants to wear a swimsuit wherever there are other people.
In closed facilities (e.g. in the Rhysauna or the KSS wellness area) and in places where no one is bothered (e.g. on the Rhine), you can also enjoy a textile-free sauna.
To move from one location to the next, we recommend a warm bathrobe and bathing slippers or shoes.
We ask for mutual consideration. This worked really well during the first sauna marathon.

How to get from sauna to sauna?
Most of the locations are in or near the old town of Schaffhausen and are within easy walking distance.
A few locations are a bit further. We recommend taking the city bus. The Sauna Marathon ticket is valid as a ticket for the City bus.

You can easily get from sauna to sauna on foot.

How do I find the locations?
The locations will be made available to the participants in the Registration will be announced. Each team or individual participant will receive a map with all locations, a bus ticket, vouchers and further information.

This is what the location map looked like at the first sauna marathon.

Can children participate in the marathon?
No, only adults and teenagers over 16 years old can participate in the Sauna Marathon.

What do I need to wear or bring with me?
The locations are chosen in order to move easily from one location to another in a bathrobe and flip-flops without getting cold. Flip-flops are important, protecting against the cold and the wet.
This also applies when taking the bus.
We recommend having a change of clothes and warm clothing ready in the checkroom for the end of the marathon. In the Rhysauna there are warm checkrooms and lockers to lock up your clothes.

What do I need to wear and take with me?
We recommend swimwear, a bathrobe, slippers, a sauna towel and a terry towel. The distance from one location to the next is short enough that you don't have to freeze even in your bathrobe. If you want, you can take spare dry clothes and a bottle of water in a small rucksack or bag.

Schaffhausen athletes at the Sauna Marathon in Otepää in February 2023

Where can I change my clothes?
For participants who are unable to change in a hotel or private location, we recommend the Rhysauna. There is a changing room, showers, toilets and Lockable checkroom locker.

Where are WCs available?
Restrooms are available in all permanent locations,. There are also public toilets. All participants will be given a map with the location of toilets at registration.

What happens when it rains?
We hope for good weather! In case it rains anyway, we have ordered rain ponchos for all participants and will hand them out at the registration desk.

I am coming from out of town. Where can I stay overnight?
There are several hotels in the city of Schaffhausen in different price ranges. We recommend booking with our hospitality partners, the Hotel Kronenhof and the Hotel Promenade. Schaffhauserland Tourismus will be happy to help you book suitable accommodation.
>> Information about accommodation

General questions about sauna

I have never been to a sauna. Can I still join?
Of course! You do not need any special knowledge. Please follow the instructions on this page. Our helpers at all locations will be happy to help with any questions....

Is it dangerous to stay in a sauna?
No, basically the stay in a sauna is not dangerous. Nevertheless, participation in the sauna marathon is not recommended for people with cardiovascular problems and pregnant women. Listen to your body. Our saunas and pools are constantly monitored by volunteers.
Whoever registers in the marathon confirms that he or she is healthy enough to participate in the event.

Is taking a sauna healthy?
Yes. Regular sauna visits help fight infections and strengthen the immune system. The alternation between hot and cold protect you from cardiovascular disease.

Questions about the organization of the sauna marathon

Is this the first sauna marathon? Where did the idea come from?
The sauna marathon is being held in Schaffhausen for the second time after 2023 in 2025. It is the only one in Switzerland. Internationally, the sauna marathon is modeled on the one in Estonia. There has been a sauna marathon in Otepää, Estonia, for over ten years. The sauna marathon in Otepää has achieved cult status. Over 800 people took part in the last edition and tickets sold out in no time at all. A delegation from the current Schaffhausen organizing committee also took part, was warmly welcomed at Otepää Town Hall and was inspired by the event.
In contrast to Otepää, the teams in Schaffhausen compete without fancy dress and distances in Schaffhausen are so small that no own vehicle is necessary.
The organizers of Otepää are probably present at the Schaffhausen Sauna Marathon.

The Schaffhausen delegation was warmly welcomed by the local government of the municipality of Otepää (Estonia) and the organizer Ago Arro in February 2023.

I also have a sauna and would like to join. Is it possible?
Yes, sure! Please contact the organizing committee (>> Become a partner). Whether at home, in the garden or making your mobile sauna available to us, we are happy for any valuable contribution. The variety makes the occasion interesting.

Is this an event of the Rhysauna Association?
No. The organizer is the association Saunamarathon Schaffhausen. The association works closely with the Rhysauna association and the Rhysauna is of course an important location at the Saunamarathon.

Isn't a sauna marathon unecological?
The heating of the facilities is done with renewable energy: all saunas and the hot tubs are heated with wood (wood origin SH) or electrically (100% green electricity).

What is the economic benefit of the event for Schaffhausen? Does the sauna marathon contribute to the revitalization of the city center?
Yes, the event generates a great deal of economic value added and has a broad impact for the city and region of Schaffhausen. It further contributes to the revitalization of an attractive city center.
The city of Schaffhausen is being associated nationwide with a new, original offer.

Unusual locations such as heated fountains and on the Munot are attractive to the media (the experience from Otepää shows that a sauna marathon generates a lot of media attention).
A broad impact through social media can be expected (many selfie-worthy locations).
The event is well suited to spend a whole weekend in the Schaffhausen region.
The event takes place in November at a time when there is otherwise little going on.