Flat grade share
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- 97.9% Favoured
The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon vs Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofThe Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon or Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon) — which comes out ahead?
The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon and Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon) split the available advantages, so the better choice depends on which metric matters most to the runner.
Route comparison snapshot
The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 0.0%
- flat grade share
- 97.9% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 52 m
- climbing density
- 2.5 m/km
- net elevation
- -3 m
- maximum grade
- 3.5%
Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- -2.3% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 90.6%
- lower ascent
- 42 m
- climbing density
- 2.0 m/km
- net elevation
- -101 m
- maximum grade
- 8.1%
| Metric | The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon | Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon) |
|---|---|---|
| Flat grade share | 97.9% ✓ | 90.6% |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | 0.0% | -2.3% ✓ |
| Uphill share | 1.1% | 2.0% |
| Steep-up share | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Downhill share | 1.0% | 7.4% |
| Total ascent (m) | 52 m | 42 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 2.5 m/km | 2.0 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 1,510 m | 1,000 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 15 m | 11 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 1.0% | 1.1% |
| Total descent (m) | 55 m | 143 m |
| Net elevation (m) | -3 m | -101 m |
| Max absolute grade | 3.5% | 8.1% |
| Start elevation (m) | 44 m | 257 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 41 m | 156 m |
| Scenic score | 70/100 ✓ | 45/100 |
| Conditions | 67/100 | 84/100 ✓ |
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- -2.3% 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
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- 70/100 Favoured
Conditions
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- 84/100 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 | The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon | Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon) |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2027-02-27 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-01-18 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | The Woodlands, Texas | Austin, Texas |
| Actual distance | 21.1 km | 21.1 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Course type | Loop | Point To Point |
| Surface | Unavailable | Paved roads |
| Elevation character | Unavailable | Net Downhill |
| Terrain | Road | Road |
| Scenery | Parkland, Forest, City, Waterfront, Lakeside | City, Countryside, Riverside |
| Atmosphere | Community, Festival, Destination | Big City, Competitive, Festival |
| Technicality | Unavailable | Non Technical |
| Total ascent | 52 m | 42 m |
| Climbing density | 2.5 m/km | 2.0 m/km |
| Total descent | 55 m | 143 m |
| Net elevation | -3 m | -101 m |
| Max absolute grade | 3.5% | 8.1% |
| Flat grade share | 97.9% | 90.6% |
| GAP factor | 0.0% | -2.3% |
| Cutoff | 6:40:00 | 4:00:00 |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
Schedule
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2027-02-27 (legacy event-level date).
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-01-18 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- The Woodlands, Texas
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- Austin, Texas
Actual distance
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- 21.1 km
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- 21.1 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- Held
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- Held
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- Held
Course type
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- Loop
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- Point To Point
Surface
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- Unavailable
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- Paved roads
Elevation character
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- Unavailable
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- Net Downhill
Terrain
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- Road
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- Road
Scenery
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- Parkland, Forest, City, Waterfront, Lakeside
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- City, Countryside, Riverside
Atmosphere
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- Community, Festival, Destination
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- Big City, Competitive, Festival
Technicality
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- Unavailable
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- Non Technical
Total ascent
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- 52 m
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- 42 m
Climbing density
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- 2.5 m/km
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- 2.0 m/km
Total descent
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- 55 m
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- 143 m
Net elevation
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- -3 m
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- -101 m
Max absolute grade
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- 3.5%
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- 8.1%
Flat grade share
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- 97.9%
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- 90.6%
GAP factor
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- 0.0%
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- -2.3%
Cutoff
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- 6:40:00
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)
- 4:00:00
Entry model
- The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon
- Open
- Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M 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, The Woodlands Marathon Half Marathon or Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon)?
Spurs Austin International Half (fka 3M Half Marathon) has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.