Flat grade share
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- 23.2% Favoured
Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen) vs Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofGolden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen) or Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards) — which comes out ahead?
Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen) has the stronger available profile on flat grade share, course flatness and scenery score.
Route comparison snapshot
Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 2.0% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 23.2% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 533 m
- climbing density
- 24.9 m/km
- net elevation
- -226 m
- maximum grade
- 25.2%
Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 14.1%
- flat grade share
- 10.8%
- lower ascent
- 939 m
- climbing density
- 44.5 m/km
- net elevation
- 0 m
- maximum grade
- 32.8%
| Metric | Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen) | Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards) |
|---|---|---|
| Flat grade share | 23.2% ✓ | 10.8% |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | 2.0% ✓ | 14.1% |
| Uphill share | 30.8% | 45.1% |
| Steep-up share | 18.6% | 30.9% |
| Downhill share | 46.0% | 44.1% |
| Total ascent (m) | 533 m | 939 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 24.9 m/km | 44.5 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 2,590 m | 2,630 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 257 m | 289 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 9.9% | 11.0% |
| Total descent (m) | 759 m | 939 m |
| Net elevation (m) | -226 m | 0 m |
| Max absolute grade | 25.2% | 32.8% |
| Start elevation (m) | 2,639 m | 2,265 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 2,413 m | 2,266 m |
| Scenic score | 76/100 ✓ | 70/100 |
| Conditions | 97/100 ✓ | 76/100 |
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- 2.0% Favoured
Uphill share
Steep-up share
Downhill share
Total ascent (m)
Climbing density (m/km)
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- 24.9 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
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- 76/100 Favoured
Conditions
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- 97/100 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 | Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen) | Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards) |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-09-26 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-08-22 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Aspen, Colorado | Edwards, Colorado |
| Actual distance | 21.4 km | 21.1 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Course type | Point To Point | Loop |
| Surface | Mixed mountain single Track trail and road; dirt with rocks and roots. | 78% single track, 22% dirt/gravel roads |
| Elevation character | Net Downhill | Mountainous |
| Terrain | Trail, Mixed | Trail, Gravel, Road |
| Scenery | Mountain, Countryside, Forest | Mountain, Forest |
| Atmosphere | Scenic Tour, Wilderness, Destination | Scenic Tour, Destination, Wilderness |
| Technicality | Moderate | Technical |
| Total ascent | 533 m | 939 m |
| Climbing density | 24.9 m/km | 44.5 m/km |
| Total descent | 759 m | 939 m |
| Net elevation | -226 m | 0 m |
| Max absolute grade | 25.2% | 32.8% |
| Flat grade share | 23.2% | 10.8% |
| GAP factor | 2.0% | 14.1% |
| Cutoff | 3:30:00 | Unavailable |
| Field cap | 750 | Unavailable |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
Schedule
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-09-26 (legacy event-level date).
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-08-22 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- Aspen, Colorado
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- Edwards, Colorado
Actual distance
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- 21.4 km
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- 21.1 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- Held
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- Held
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- Held
Course type
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- Point To Point
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- Loop
Surface
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- Mixed mountain single Track trail and road; dirt with rocks and roots.
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- 78% single track, 22% dirt/gravel roads
Elevation character
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- Net Downhill
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- Mountainous
Terrain
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- Trail, Mixed
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- Trail, Gravel, Road
Scenery
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- Mountain, Countryside, Forest
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- Mountain, Forest
Atmosphere
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- Scenic Tour, Wilderness, Destination
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- Scenic Tour, Destination, Wilderness
Technicality
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- Moderate
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- Technical
Total ascent
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- 533 m
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- 939 m
Climbing density
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- 24.9 m/km
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- 44.5 m/km
Total descent
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- 759 m
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- 939 m
Net elevation
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- -226 m
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- 0 m
Max absolute grade
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- 25.2%
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- 32.8%
Flat grade share
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- 23.2%
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- 10.8%
GAP factor
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- 2.0%
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- 14.1%
Cutoff
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- 3:30:00
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- Unavailable
Field cap
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- 750
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- Unavailable
Entry model
- Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen)
- Open
- Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)
- 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, Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen) or Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K (Vail/Edwards)?
Golden Leaf Half Marathon (Aspen) has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.