Over the past few years, the running community has witnessed a significant increase in the number of downhill marathons – races with a net elevation loss over the length of the course. Whether it is just a result of the increase in the overall number of marathons in the last decade or an increased interest in runners seeking Boston Marathon qualifying-friendly races, there are more choices than ever for this type of marathon.
We’ve compiled a list of ten of these downhill courses. The list includes a mix of new and well-established races, large and small marathons, as well as races with gradual and significant elevation losses. In addition to these races, a comprehensive list of downhill marathons, as well as elevation charts for each can be found at FindMyMarathon.com.
All courses on our list are certified by the USATF and can be used to qualify for the Boston and New York City Marathons.
Canyon City Marathon
Azusa, CA
November 7, 2015
High/Low Elevation: 5,816′ / 605′
Net Elevation Loss from Start to Finish: 5,211′
Finishers (2014): 624
Percent of Finishers Achieving Boston Qualifying Times (2014): 22.4%
The first on our list is the Canyon City Marathon. The course starts in the Crystal Lake Recreational Area in the Angeles National Forest, winds its way through the canyon and finishes at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains in Azusa, east of Los Angeles.
The course boasts a dramatic drop in elevation – nearly a vertical mile from start to finish. This elevation loss equates to an average downhill slope of 3.8% – approximately the same as the incline for Boston’s famed Heartbreak Hill.
In addition, for those not yet willing to take on the challenge of 26 downhill miles, the race has a companion half marathon starting at the marathon halfway point.
Freakin’ Fast Marathon
Boise, ID
September 5, 2015
High/Low Elevation: 6750′ / 2592′
Net Elevation Loss from Start to Finish: 4155′
Finishers (2014): 65
Percent of Finishers Achieving Boston Qualifying Times (2014): 12.3%
The Freakin’ Fast Marathon the smallest marathon on our list with 65 finishers in its first year. Formerly known as the Bogus Marathon, it is one of the steepest downhill marathons in the United States with a net elevation drop of over 4,000 feet.
The course starts at the Bogus Basin Recreation Area and winds down the mountain to the finish in Boise, Idaho. The race features a ten mile stretch from miles five to fifteen where the course loses 2,700 feet, an average downhill grade of 5%. With most of the elevation loss occurring in the first twenty miles, runners will experience a relatively flat last ten kilometers.
Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon
North Bend, WA
July 26, 2015
High/Low Elevation: 2,603 ‘ / 521’
Net Elevation Loss from Start to Finish: 2,028′
Finishers: 2015 Inaugural
The Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon’s name leaves little doubt about what runners will encounter while running this course. The race starts just south of the Snoqualmie Tunnel, a 2.3 mile railroad tunnel formerly used by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (don’t forget your headlamp). The course follows the John Wayne Pioneer Trail and finishes on the Snoqualmie Trail in North Bend, Washington.
Lots of downhill races start at very high altitudes to achieve significant changes in elevation. Fortunately for those runners who are negatively affected by higher altitudes, this is not the case for the Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon. The course starts at a modest (for downhill races, at least) 2,600 feet and drops 2,000 feet to the finish.
Peak to Creek Marathon
Morganton, NC
October 24, 2015
High/Low Elevation: 3,786′ / 1104′
Net Elevation Loss from Start to Finish: 2,682′
Finishers (2014): 234
Percent of Finishers Achieving Boston Qualifying Times (2014): 26.9%
Tucked away in the Western North Carolina mountains, the Peak to Creek Marathon has earned a reputation as a fast downhill course despite having a large number of switchbacks and twenty miles of dirt and gravel road. In addition to over a quarter of finishers running under Boston Marathon qualifying times in 2014, the median finishing time of 3:52 is more than ten minutes faster than any other race on our list.
The course loses most of its elevation in the nine mile stretch between miles six and fifteen. The average downhill grade is nearly 5% as the course loses 2,200 feet in this section. This leaves a mostly gentle decline for the last eleven miles.
Pocono Mountain Run for the Red Marathon
Stroudsburg, PA
May 17, 2015
High/Low Elevation: 1,837′ / 442′
Net Elevation Loss from Start to Finish: 1,395′
Finishers (2014): 624
Percent of Finishers Achieving Boston Qualifying Times (2014): 29.1%
Of the races on our list, the Pocono Mountain Run for the Red Marathon boasts the highest percentage of finishers achieving Boston Marathon Qualifying times. Nearly one-third of finishers (29.1%) in the 2014 race finished with times under the Boston Marathon qualifying standard for their age group. (Update: 19.1% of finishers achieved Boston qualifying times in the 2015 race despite high race day temperatures and high humidity levels.)
Like other Eastern U.S. downhill marathons, the Run for the Red start is at a modest 1,837 feet above sea level. Runners will experience a few uphills as the course drops 1,395 feet from the start in Pocono Summit down to the finish in Stroudsburg.
Tomorrow we will feature five more downhill marathons.
thanks for your list, i found it about a year ago and raced canyon city a few weeks ago. new pb by 10 minutes and a BQ