Flat grade share
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- 85.7% Favoured
Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon vs Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofHelsinki City Marathon Half Marathon or Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon — which comes out ahead?
Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon has the stronger available profile on flat grade share, course flatness and scenery score.
Route comparison snapshot
Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 0.5%
- flat grade share
- 82.3%
- lower ascent
- 122 m
- climbing density
- 5.8 m/km
- net elevation
- 6 m
- maximum grade
- 7.1%
Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 0.3% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 85.7% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 91 m
- climbing density
- 4.3 m/km
- net elevation
- -1 m
- maximum grade
- 9.1%
| Metric | Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon | Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Flat grade share | 82.3% | 85.7% ✓ |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | 0.5% | 0.3% ✓ |
| Uphill share | 9.5% | 7.2% |
| Steep-up share | 0.7% | 0.0% |
| Downhill share | 8.3% | 7.1% |
| Total ascent (m) | 122 m | 91 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 5.8 m/km | 4.3 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 1,230 m | 300 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 17 m | 11 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 1.4% | 3.7% |
| Total descent (m) | 117 m | 92 m |
| Net elevation (m) | 6 m | -1 m |
| Max absolute grade | 7.1% | 9.1% |
| Start elevation (m) | 4 m | 9 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 9 m | 8 m |
| Scenic score | 73/100 | 100/100 ✓ |
| Conditions | 87/100 ✓ | 64/100 |
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- 0.3% 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
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- 100/100 Favoured
Conditions
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- 87/100 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 | Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon | Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2027-05-07 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-08-14 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Helsinki, Finland | Turku, Finland |
| Actual distance | 21.1 km | 21.1 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Course type | Point To Point | Loop |
| Scenery | City, Coastal, Waterfront, Parkland, Island | City, Coastal, Historic, Riverside, Island, Parkland, Waterfront, Forest |
| Atmosphere | Big City, Scenic Tour | Community, Festival, Scenic Tour |
| Total ascent | 122 m | 91 m |
| Climbing density | 5.8 m/km | 4.3 m/km |
| Total descent | 117 m | 92 m |
| Net elevation | 6 m | -1 m |
| Max absolute grade | 7.1% | 9.1% |
| Flat grade share | 82.3% | 85.7% |
| GAP factor | 0.5% | 0.3% |
| Cutoff | 3:00:00 | 2:00:00 |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
Schedule
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2027-05-07 (legacy event-level date).
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-08-14 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- Helsinki, Finland
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- Turku, Finland
Actual distance
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- 21.1 km
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- 21.1 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- Held
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- Held
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- Held
Course type
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- Point To Point
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- Loop
Scenery
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- City, Coastal, Waterfront, Parkland, Island
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- City, Coastal, Historic, Riverside, Island, Parkland, Waterfront, Forest
Atmosphere
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- Big City, Scenic Tour
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- Community, Festival, Scenic Tour
Total ascent
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- 122 m
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- 91 m
Climbing density
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- 5.8 m/km
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- 4.3 m/km
Total descent
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- 117 m
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- 92 m
Net elevation
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- 6 m
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- -1 m
Max absolute grade
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- 7.1%
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- 9.1%
Flat grade share
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- 82.3%
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- 85.7%
GAP factor
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- 0.5%
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- 0.3%
Cutoff
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- 3:00:00
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon
- 2:00:00
Entry model
- Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon
- Open
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon 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, Helsinki City Marathon Half Marathon or Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon?
Paavo Nurmi Marathon Half Marathon has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.