Flat grade share
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- 68.5% Favoured
Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon vs Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofEstes Park Marathon and Half Marathon or Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon — which comes out ahead?
Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon has the stronger available profile on course flatness, scenery score and conditions.
Route comparison snapshot
Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- -9.9% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 54.1%
- lower ascent
- 61 m
- climbing density
- 2.9 m/km
- net elevation
- -477 m
- maximum grade
- 21.5%
Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- -4.2%
- flat grade share
- 68.5% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 73 m
- climbing density
- 3.5 m/km
- net elevation
- -193 m
- maximum grade
- 11.6%
| Metric | Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon | Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Flat grade share | 54.1% | 68.5% ✓ |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | -9.9% ✓ | -4.2% |
| Uphill share | 4.6% | 7.3% |
| Steep-up share | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Downhill share | 41.3% | 24.2% |
| Total ascent (m) | 61 m | 73 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 2.9 m/km | 3.5 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 870 m | 440 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 16 m | 21 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 1.9% | 4.7% |
| Total descent (m) | 539 m | 266 m |
| Net elevation (m) | -477 m | -193 m |
| Max absolute grade | 21.5% | 11.6% |
| Start elevation (m) | 2,768 m | 1,151 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 2,290 m | 958 m |
| Scenic score | 90/100 ✓ | 88/100 |
| Conditions | 77/100 ✓ | 71/100 |
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- -9.9% Favoured
Uphill share
Steep-up share
Downhill share
Total ascent (m)
Climbing density (m/km)
Longest climb length (m)
Longest climb gain (m)
Longest climb average grade
Total descent (m)
Net elevation (m)
Max absolute grade
Start elevation (m)
Finish elevation (m)
Scenic score
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- 90/100 Favoured
Conditions
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- 77/100 Favoured
Only metrics available for at least one side are shown. A ✓ marks the better value for each metric (higher-is-better aware). Scores are out of 100 when available. Ascent, climbing density, max absolute grade and median finish describe course or field context and are not marked as better or worse.
Race facts that change the decision
| Fact | Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon | Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-06-20 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-09-20 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Estes Park, Colorado | Billings, Montana |
| Actual distance | 21.1 km | 21.1 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Elevation character | Net Downhill | Unavailable |
| Terrain | Mixed, Trail, Road | Unavailable |
| Scenery | Mountain, Forest, Lakeside, Parkland, Waterfront | Waterfront, Parkland, Countryside, Mountain, Canyon, City |
| Atmosphere | Scenic Tour, Destination | Unavailable |
| Technicality | Moderate | Unavailable |
| Total ascent | 61 m | 73 m |
| Climbing density | 2.9 m/km | 3.5 m/km |
| Total descent | 539 m | 266 m |
| Net elevation | -477 m | -193 m |
| Max absolute grade | 21.5% | 11.6% |
| Flat grade share | 54.1% | 68.5% |
| GAP factor | -9.9% | -4.2% |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
Schedule
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-06-20 (legacy event-level date).
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-09-20 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- Estes Park, Colorado
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- Billings, Montana
Actual distance
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- 21.1 km
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- 21.1 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- Held
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- Held
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- Held
Elevation character
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- Net Downhill
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- Unavailable
Terrain
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- Mixed, Trail, Road
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- Unavailable
Scenery
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- Mountain, Forest, Lakeside, Parkland, Waterfront
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- Waterfront, Parkland, Countryside, Mountain, Canyon, City
Atmosphere
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- Scenic Tour, Destination
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- Unavailable
Technicality
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- Moderate
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- Unavailable
Total ascent
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- 61 m
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- 73 m
Climbing density
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- 2.9 m/km
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- 3.5 m/km
Total descent
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- 539 m
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- 266 m
Net elevation
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- -477 m
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- -193 m
Max absolute grade
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- 21.5%
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- 11.6%
Flat grade share
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- 54.1%
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- 68.5%
GAP factor
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- -9.9%
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- -4.2%
Entry model
- Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon
- Open
- Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon
- Open
Facts are shown only when they exist in the sourced race record; Not held means no sourced value is held for that race.
Common questions
Which is flatter, Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon or Montana Marathon (Billings) Half Marathon?
Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.