Flat grade share
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 85.7% Favoured
FirstEnergy Akron Marathon vs TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofFirstEnergy Akron Marathon or TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon — which comes out ahead?
FirstEnergy Akron Marathon and TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon split the available advantages, so the better choice depends on which metric matters most to the runner.
Route comparison snapshot
FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 0.7%
- flat grade share
- 73.4%
- lower ascent
- 350 m
- climbing density
- 8.3 m/km
- net elevation
- -6 m
- maximum grade
- 13.8%
TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 0.2% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 85.7% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 180 m
- climbing density
- 4.3 m/km
- net elevation
- -5 m
- maximum grade
- 9.0%
| Metric | FirstEnergy Akron Marathon | TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Flat grade share | 73.4% | 85.7% ✓ |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | 0.7% | 0.2% ✓ |
| Uphill share | 13.3% | 7.5% |
| Steep-up share | 1.5% | 0.2% |
| Downhill share | 13.3% | 6.7% |
| Total ascent (m) | 350 m | 180 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 8.3 m/km | 4.3 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 2,970 m | 1,250 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 70 m | 35 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Total descent (m) | 355 m | 185 m |
| Net elevation (m) | -6 m | -5 m |
| Max absolute grade | 13.8% | 9.0% |
| Start elevation (m) | 297 m | 172 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 291 m | 168 m |
| Scenic score | 100/100 ✓ | 89/100 |
| Conditions | 66/100 ✓ | 59/100 |
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 0.2% Favoured
Uphill share
Steep-up share
Downhill share
Total ascent (m)
Climbing density (m/km)
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 8.3 m/km
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 4.3 m/km
Longest climb length (m)
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 2,970 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
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 100/100 Favoured
Conditions
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 66/100 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 | FirstEnergy Akron Marathon | TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-09-26 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-09-27 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Akron, Ohio | Davenport, Iowa |
| 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 | Loop |
| Surface | Paved roads and trail (the course incorporates sections of the Towpath Trail through Summit Metro Parks) | Unavailable |
| Elevation character | Hilly | Flat |
| Terrain | Trail, Towpath, Beach, Road, Mixed | Unavailable |
| Scenery | City, Parkland, Mountain, Historic, Desert, Riverside | Riverside, Island, City, Waterfront, Historic |
| Atmosphere | Community, Big City, Festival | Unavailable |
| Technicality | Moderate | Non Technical |
| Total ascent | 350 m | 180 m |
| Climbing density | 8.3 m/km | 4.3 m/km |
| Total descent | 355 m | 185 m |
| Net elevation | -6 m | -5 m |
| Max absolute grade | 13.8% | 9.0% |
| Flat grade share | 73.4% | 85.7% |
| GAP factor | 0.7% | 0.2% |
| Cutoff | 6:30:00 | 7:00:00 |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
| Qualifying status | Boston_equivalent | Boston_equivalent |
Schedule
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-09-26 (legacy event-level date).
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-09-27 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Akron, Ohio
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Davenport, Iowa
Actual distance
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 42.2 km
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 42.2 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Held
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Held
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Held
Course type
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Point To Point
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Loop
Surface
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Paved roads and trail (the course incorporates sections of the Towpath Trail through Summit Metro Parks)
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Unavailable
Elevation character
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Hilly
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Flat
Terrain
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Trail, Towpath, Beach, Road, Mixed
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Unavailable
Scenery
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- City, Parkland, Mountain, Historic, Desert, Riverside
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Riverside, Island, City, Waterfront, Historic
Atmosphere
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Community, Big City, Festival
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Unavailable
Technicality
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Moderate
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Non Technical
Total ascent
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 350 m
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 180 m
Climbing density
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 8.3 m/km
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 4.3 m/km
Total descent
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 355 m
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 185 m
Net elevation
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- -6 m
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- -5 m
Max absolute grade
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 13.8%
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 9.0%
Flat grade share
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 73.4%
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 85.7%
GAP factor
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 0.7%
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 0.2%
Cutoff
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 6:30:00
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 7:00:00
Entry model
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Open
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Open
Qualifying status
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Boston_equivalent
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Boston_equivalent
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, FirstEnergy Akron Marathon or TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon?
TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.