Flat grade share
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- 60.6% Favoured
Catalina Island Marathon vs Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofCatalina Island Marathon or Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon — which comes out ahead?
Catalina Island Marathon and Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon split the available advantages, so the better choice depends on which metric matters most to the runner.
Route comparison snapshot
Catalina Island Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 11.8%
- flat grade share
- 19.7%
- lower ascent
- 1,530 m
- climbing density
- 36.3 m/km
- net elevation
- 4 m
- maximum grade
- 44.6%
Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 0.9% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 60.6% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 407 m
- climbing density
- 9.7 m/km
- net elevation
- 0 m
- maximum grade
- 10.6%
| Metric | Catalina Island Marathon | Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Flat grade share | 19.7% | 60.6% ✓ |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | 11.8% | 0.9% ✓ |
| Uphill share | 41.5% | 19.7% |
| Steep-up share | 25.8% | 1.2% |
| Downhill share | 38.8% | 19.7% |
| Total ascent (m) | 1,530 m | 407 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 36.3 m/km | 9.7 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 810 m | 730 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 83 m | 24 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 10.2% | 3.3% |
| Total descent (m) | 1,526 m | 407 m |
| Net elevation (m) | 4 m | 0 m |
| Max absolute grade | 44.6% | 10.6% |
| Start elevation (m) | 6 m | 89 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 10 m | 89 m |
| Scenic score | 100/100 ✓ | 69/100 |
| Conditions | 75/100 ✓ | 68/100 |
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- 0.9% Favoured
Uphill share
Steep-up share
Downhill share
Total ascent (m)
- Catalina Island Marathon
- 1,530 m
Climbing density (m/km)
- Catalina Island Marathon
- 36.3 m/km
Longest climb length (m)
Longest climb gain (m)
Longest climb average grade
Total descent (m)
- Catalina Island Marathon
- 1,526 m
Net elevation (m)
Max absolute grade
Start elevation (m)
Finish elevation (m)
Scenic score
- Catalina Island Marathon
- 100/100 Favoured
Conditions
- Catalina Island Marathon
- 75/100 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 | Catalina Island Marathon | Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2027-03-13 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-03-21 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Avalon, California | Jackson, Mississippi |
| Actual distance | 42.2 km | 42.2 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Course type | Point To Point | Unavailable |
| Surface | Trail | Paved city streets through downtown Jackson and surrounding neighborhoods. |
| Elevation character | Hilly | Rolling |
| Terrain | Trail, Road, Gravel | Road, Beach |
| Scenery | Coastal, Island, Waterfront, Mountain, Countryside | City, Waterfront, Historic, Desert |
| Atmosphere | Wilderness, Destination, Scenic Tour | Charity, Community |
| Technicality | Moderate | Non Technical |
| Total ascent | 1,530 m | 407 m |
| Climbing density | 36.3 m/km | 9.7 m/km |
| Total descent | 1,526 m | 407 m |
| Net elevation | 4 m | 0 m |
| Max absolute grade | 44.6% | 10.6% |
| Flat grade share | 19.7% | 60.6% |
| GAP factor | 11.8% | 0.9% |
| Cutoff | 8:00:00 | Unavailable |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
Schedule
- Catalina Island Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2027-03-13 (legacy event-level date).
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-03-21 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Catalina Island Marathon
- Avalon, California
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- Jackson, Mississippi
Actual distance
- Catalina Island Marathon
- 42.2 km
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- 42.2 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Catalina Island Marathon
- Held
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Catalina Island Marathon
- Held
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- Held
Course type
- Catalina Island Marathon
- Point To Point
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- Unavailable
Surface
- Catalina Island Marathon
- Trail
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- Paved city streets through downtown Jackson and surrounding neighborhoods.
Elevation character
- Catalina Island Marathon
- Hilly
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- Rolling
Terrain
- Catalina Island Marathon
- Trail, Road, Gravel
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- Road, Beach
Scenery
- Catalina Island Marathon
- Coastal, Island, Waterfront, Mountain, Countryside
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- City, Waterfront, Historic, Desert
Atmosphere
- Catalina Island Marathon
- Wilderness, Destination, Scenic Tour
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- Charity, Community
Technicality
- Catalina Island Marathon
- Moderate
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- Non Technical
Total ascent
- Catalina Island Marathon
- 1,530 m
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- 407 m
Climbing density
- Catalina Island Marathon
- 36.3 m/km
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- 9.7 m/km
Total descent
- Catalina Island Marathon
- 1,526 m
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- 407 m
Net elevation
- Catalina Island Marathon
- 4 m
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- 0 m
Max absolute grade
- Catalina Island Marathon
- 44.6%
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- 10.6%
Flat grade share
- Catalina Island Marathon
- 19.7%
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- 60.6%
GAP factor
- Catalina Island Marathon
- 11.8%
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- 0.9%
Cutoff
- Catalina Island Marathon
- 8:00:00
- Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon
- Unavailable
Entry model
- Catalina Island Marathon
- Open
- Run the Rainbow for Children's 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, Catalina Island Marathon or Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon?
Run the Rainbow for Children's Marathon has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.