Flat grade share
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 86.9% Favoured
Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi) vs Paavo Nurmi Marathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofArctic Marathon (Rovaniemi) or Paavo Nurmi Marathon — which comes out ahead?
Paavo Nurmi Marathon has the stronger available profile on flat grade share, course flatness and scenery score.
Route comparison snapshot
Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 1.1%
- flat grade share
- 65.3%
- lower ascent
- 392 m
- climbing density
- 9.3 m/km
- net elevation
- -0 m
- maximum grade
- 11.9%
Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 0.3% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 86.9% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 179 m
- climbing density
- 4.2 m/km
- net elevation
- -2 m
- maximum grade
- 10.9%
| Metric | Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi) | Paavo Nurmi Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Flat grade share | 65.3% | 86.9% ✓ |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | 1.1% | 0.3% ✓ |
| Uphill share | 17.4% | 6.3% |
| Steep-up share | 2.8% | 0.2% |
| Downhill share | 17.3% | 6.8% |
| Total ascent (m) | 392 m | 179 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 9.3 m/km | 4.2 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 1,120 m | 310 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 59 m | 11 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 5.3% | 3.7% |
| Total descent (m) | 391 m | 181 m |
| Net elevation (m) | -0 m | -2 m |
| Max absolute grade | 11.9% | 10.9% |
| Start elevation (m) | 163 m | 10 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 162 m | 8 m |
| Scenic score | 65/100 | 100/100 ✓ |
| Conditions | 63/100 | 64/100 ✓ |
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 0.3% Favoured
Uphill share
Steep-up share
Downhill share
Total ascent (m)
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 179 m
Climbing density (m/km)
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 9.3 m/km
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 4.2 m/km
Longest climb length (m)
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 1,120 m
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 310 m
Longest climb gain (m)
Longest climb average grade
Total descent (m)
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 181 m
Net elevation (m)
Max absolute grade
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 10.9%
Start elevation (m)
Finish elevation (m)
Scenic score
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 100/100 Favoured
Conditions
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 64/100 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 | Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi) | Paavo Nurmi Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2027-04-04 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-08-14 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Rovaniemi, Finland | Turku, Finland |
| Actual distance | 42.2 km | 42.2 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Course type | Loop | Laps |
| Surface | Approximately 90% snow Covered dirt roads and 10% forest single track; spiked trail shoes recommended for icy sections. | Road / paved streets and park roads |
| Elevation character | Gently Rolling | Flat |
| Terrain | Mixed, Trail | Road |
| Scenery | Countryside, Forest, Riverside, City | Riverside, City, Historic, Parkland, Island, Coastal, Waterfront, Forest |
| Atmosphere | Destination, Wilderness, Community | Community, Festival, Scenic Tour |
| Technicality | Moderate | Non Technical |
| Total ascent | 392 m | 179 m |
| Climbing density | 9.3 m/km | 4.2 m/km |
| Total descent | 391 m | 181 m |
| Net elevation | -0 m | -2 m |
| Max absolute grade | 11.9% | 10.9% |
| Flat grade share | 65.3% | 86.9% |
| GAP factor | 1.1% | 0.3% |
| Cutoff | Unavailable | 6:00:00 |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
Schedule
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2027-04-04 (legacy event-level date).
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-08-14 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Rovaniemi, Finland
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Turku, Finland
Actual distance
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 42.2 km
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 42.2 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Held
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Held
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Held
Course type
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Loop
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Laps
Surface
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Approximately 90% snow Covered dirt roads and 10% forest single track; spiked trail shoes recommended for icy sections.
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Road / paved streets and park roads
Elevation character
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Gently Rolling
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Flat
Terrain
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Mixed, Trail
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Road
Scenery
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Countryside, Forest, Riverside, City
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Riverside, City, Historic, Parkland, Island, Coastal, Waterfront, Forest
Atmosphere
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Destination, Wilderness, Community
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Community, Festival, Scenic Tour
Technicality
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Moderate
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Non Technical
Total ascent
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 392 m
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 179 m
Climbing density
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 9.3 m/km
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 4.2 m/km
Total descent
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 391 m
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 181 m
Net elevation
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- -0 m
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- -2 m
Max absolute grade
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 11.9%
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 10.9%
Flat grade share
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 65.3%
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 86.9%
GAP factor
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 1.1%
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 0.3%
Cutoff
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Unavailable
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 6:00:00
Entry model
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Open
- Paavo Nurmi 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, Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi) or Paavo Nurmi Marathon?
Paavo Nurmi Marathon has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.