Flat grade share
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 22.8%
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- 29.8% Favoured
Beachy Head Marathon vs Three Forts Challenge Marathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofBeachy Head Marathon or Three Forts Challenge Marathon — which comes out ahead?
Beachy Head Marathon and Three Forts Challenge Marathon split the available advantages, so the better choice depends on which metric matters most to the runner.
Route comparison snapshot
Beachy Head Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 6.3%
- flat grade share
- 22.8%
- lower ascent
- 1,144 m
- climbing density
- 27.1 m/km
- net elevation
- 1 m
- maximum grade
- 31.2%
Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 3.5% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 29.8% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 922 m
- climbing density
- 21.1 m/km
- net elevation
- -0 m
- maximum grade
- 13.5%
| Metric | Beachy Head Marathon | Three Forts Challenge Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Flat grade share | 22.8% | 29.8% ✓ |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | 6.3% | 3.5% ✓ |
| Uphill share | 39.3% | 35.8% |
| Steep-up share | 16.7% | 12.3% |
| Downhill share | 37.9% | 34.4% |
| Total ascent (m) | 1,144 m | 922 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 27.1 m/km | 21.1 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 2,340 m | 3,550 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 146 m | 201 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 6.3% | 5.7% |
| Total descent (m) | 1,143 m | 922 m |
| Net elevation (m) | 1 m | -0 m |
| Max absolute grade | 31.2% | 13.5% |
| Start elevation (m) | 49 m | 8 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 51 m | 8 m |
| Scenic score | 98/100 ✓ | 93/100 |
| Conditions | 67/100 ✓ | 65/100 |
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- 3.5% Favoured
Uphill share
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 39.3%
Steep-up share
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 16.7%
Downhill share
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 37.9%
Total ascent (m)
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 1,144 m
Climbing density (m/km)
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 27.1 m/km
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- 21.1 m/km
Longest climb length (m)
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 2,340 m
Longest climb gain (m)
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 146 m
Longest climb average grade
Total descent (m)
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 1,143 m
Net elevation (m)
Max absolute grade
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 31.2%
Start elevation (m)
Finish elevation (m)
Scenic score
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 98/100 Favoured
Conditions
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 67/100 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 | Beachy Head Marathon | Three Forts Challenge Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-10-24 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2027-05-02 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Eastbourne, South East | Lancing, South East |
| Actual distance | 42.2 km | 43.8 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Course type | Trail | Loop |
| Surface | Off Road | Hilly and challenging over chalk, flint and grass paths with stiles and rough tracks underfoot; minimal road sections. |
| Elevation character | Hilly | Hilly |
| Terrain | Trail, Mixed, Road | Trail |
| Scenery | Coastal, Parkland, Countryside, Forest, Riverside, Waterfront | Countryside, Historic, Coastal, Riverside |
| Atmosphere | Scenic Tour, Destination | Community, Charity, Scenic Tour |
| Technicality | Moderate | Moderate |
| Total ascent | 1,144 m | 922 m |
| Climbing density | 27.1 m/km | 21.1 m/km |
| Total descent | 1,143 m | 922 m |
| Net elevation | 1 m | -0 m |
| Max absolute grade | 31.2% | 13.5% |
| Flat grade share | 22.8% | 29.8% |
| GAP factor | 6.3% | 3.5% |
| Cutoff | 9:00:00 | 6:00:00 |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
Schedule
- Beachy Head Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-10-24 (legacy event-level date).
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2027-05-02 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Beachy Head Marathon
- Eastbourne, South East
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- Lancing, South East
Actual distance
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 42.2 km
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- 43.8 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Beachy Head Marathon
- Held
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Beachy Head Marathon
- Held
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- Held
Course type
- Beachy Head Marathon
- Trail
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- Loop
Surface
- Beachy Head Marathon
- Off Road
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- Hilly and challenging over chalk, flint and grass paths with stiles and rough tracks underfoot; minimal road sections.
Elevation character
- Beachy Head Marathon
- Hilly
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- Hilly
Terrain
- Beachy Head Marathon
- Trail, Mixed, Road
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- Trail
Scenery
- Beachy Head Marathon
- Coastal, Parkland, Countryside, Forest, Riverside, Waterfront
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- Countryside, Historic, Coastal, Riverside
Atmosphere
- Beachy Head Marathon
- Scenic Tour, Destination
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- Community, Charity, Scenic Tour
Technicality
- Beachy Head Marathon
- Moderate
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- Moderate
Total ascent
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 1,144 m
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- 922 m
Climbing density
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 27.1 m/km
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- 21.1 m/km
Total descent
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 1,143 m
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- 922 m
Net elevation
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 1 m
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- -0 m
Max absolute grade
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 31.2%
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- 13.5%
Flat grade share
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 22.8%
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- 29.8%
GAP factor
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 6.3%
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- 3.5%
Cutoff
- Beachy Head Marathon
- 9:00:00
- Three Forts Challenge Marathon
- 6:00:00
Entry model
- Beachy Head Marathon
- Open
- Three Forts Challenge 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, Beachy Head Marathon or Three Forts Challenge Marathon?
Three Forts Challenge Marathon has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.