Flat grade share
- Bend Marathon and Half
- 65.1% Favoured
Bend Marathon and Half vs Columbia Gorge Marathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofBend Marathon and Half or Columbia Gorge Marathon — which comes out ahead?
Bend Marathon and Half has the stronger available profile on flat grade share and course flatness.
Route comparison snapshot
Bend Marathon and Half
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 0.9% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 65.1% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 388 m
- climbing density
- 9.2 m/km
- net elevation
- 0 m
- maximum grade
- 16.6%
Columbia Gorge Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 2.1%
- flat grade share
- 39.8%
- lower ascent
- 696 m
- climbing density
- 16.5 m/km
- net elevation
- -82 m
- maximum grade
- 25.5%
| Metric | Bend Marathon and Half | Columbia Gorge Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Flat grade share | 65.1% ✓ | 39.8% |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | 0.9% ✓ | 2.1% |
| Uphill share | 18.0% | 29.3% |
| Steep-up share | 0.8% | 7.2% |
| Downhill share | 16.9% | 30.9% |
| Total ascent (m) | 388 m | 696 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 9.2 m/km | 16.5 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 1,580 m | 1,940 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 36 m | 70 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 2.3% | 3.6% |
| Total descent (m) | 388 m | 778 m |
| Net elevation (m) | 0 m | -82 m |
| Max absolute grade | 16.6% | 25.5% |
| Start elevation (m) | 1,101 m | 108 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 1,101 m | 26 m |
| Scenic score | Unavailable | 100/100 |
| Conditions | Unavailable | 87/100 |
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- Bend Marathon and Half
- 0.9% Favoured
Uphill share
Steep-up share
Downhill share
Total ascent (m)
Climbing density (m/km)
- Bend Marathon and Half
- 9.2 m/km
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- 16.5 m/km
Longest climb length (m)
- Bend Marathon and Half
- 1,580 m
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- 1,940 m
Longest climb gain (m)
Longest climb average grade
Total descent (m)
Net elevation (m)
Max absolute grade
Start elevation (m)
- Bend Marathon and Half
- 1,101 m
Finish elevation (m)
- Bend Marathon and Half
- 1,101 m
Scenic score
- Bend Marathon and Half
- Unavailable
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- 100/100
Conditions
- Bend Marathon and Half
- Unavailable
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- 87/100
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 | Bend Marathon and Half | Columbia Gorge Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-10-17 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Bend, Oregon | Hood River, Oregon |
| Actual distance | 42.2 km | 42.2 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Course type | Start and finish at the Old Mill District with an out And Back section toward the Forest Service Welcome Center turnaround; finishes with a long, net Downhill return. | Out And Back |
| Surface | Mostly paved roads with some trail sections, including the quieter Haul Road Trail. | 100% paved |
| Elevation character | Hilly | Hilly |
| Terrain | Mixed | Road, Trail |
| Scenery | Mountain, City, Desert, Lakeside, Riverside, Forest, Parkland | Countryside, Riverside, Historic, Canyon, Vineyard, Forest |
| Atmosphere | Scenic Tour, Destination, Community | Scenic Tour, Destination |
| Technicality | Moderate | Non Technical |
| Total ascent | 388 m | 696 m |
| Climbing density | 9.2 m/km | 16.5 m/km |
| Total descent | 388 m | 778 m |
| Net elevation | 0 m | -82 m |
| Max absolute grade | 16.6% | 25.5% |
| Flat grade share | 65.1% | 39.8% |
| GAP factor | 0.9% | 2.1% |
| Cutoff | Unavailable | 6:30:00 |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
Schedule
- Bend Marathon and Half
Exact race date not confirmed.
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-10-17 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Bend Marathon and Half
- Bend, Oregon
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- Hood River, Oregon
Actual distance
- Bend Marathon and Half
- 42.2 km
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- 42.2 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Bend Marathon and Half
- Held
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Bend Marathon and Half
- Held
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- Held
Course type
- Bend Marathon and Half
- Start and finish at the Old Mill District with an out And Back section toward the Forest Service Welcome Center turnaround; finishes with a long, net Downhill return.
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- Out And Back
Surface
- Bend Marathon and Half
- Mostly paved roads with some trail sections, including the quieter Haul Road Trail.
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- 100% paved
Elevation character
- Bend Marathon and Half
- Hilly
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- Hilly
Terrain
- Bend Marathon and Half
- Mixed
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- Road, Trail
Scenery
- Bend Marathon and Half
- Mountain, City, Desert, Lakeside, Riverside, Forest, Parkland
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- Countryside, Riverside, Historic, Canyon, Vineyard, Forest
Atmosphere
- Bend Marathon and Half
- Scenic Tour, Destination, Community
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- Scenic Tour, Destination
Technicality
- Bend Marathon and Half
- Moderate
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- Non Technical
Total ascent
- Bend Marathon and Half
- 388 m
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- 696 m
Climbing density
- Bend Marathon and Half
- 9.2 m/km
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- 16.5 m/km
Total descent
- Bend Marathon and Half
- 388 m
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- 778 m
Net elevation
- Bend Marathon and Half
- 0 m
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- -82 m
Max absolute grade
- Bend Marathon and Half
- 16.6%
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- 25.5%
Flat grade share
- Bend Marathon and Half
- 65.1%
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- 39.8%
GAP factor
- Bend Marathon and Half
- 0.9%
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- 2.1%
Cutoff
- Bend Marathon and Half
- Unavailable
- Columbia Gorge Marathon
- 6:30:00
Entry model
- Bend Marathon and Half
- Open
- Columbia Gorge 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, Bend Marathon and Half or Columbia Gorge Marathon?
Bend Marathon and Half has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.