Flat grade share
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- 67.3% Favoured
Maine Marathon (Portland) vs Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofMaine Marathon (Portland) or Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay — which comes out ahead?
Maine Marathon (Portland) has the stronger available profile on flat grade share, course flatness and conditions.
Route comparison snapshot
Maine Marathon (Portland)
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 0.9% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 67.3% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 357 m
- climbing density
- 8.5 m/km
- net elevation
- 0 m
- maximum grade
- 15.5%
Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 1.5%
- flat grade share
- 55.5%
- lower ascent
- 526 m
- climbing density
- 12.5 m/km
- net elevation
- -1 m
- maximum grade
- 18.7%
| Metric | Maine Marathon (Portland) | Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay |
|---|---|---|
| Flat grade share | 67.3% ✓ | 55.5% |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | 0.9% ✓ | 1.5% |
| Uphill share | 16.5% | 23.8% |
| Steep-up share | 1.7% | 2.7% |
| Downhill share | 16.2% | 20.7% |
| Total ascent (m) | 357 m | 526 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 8.5 m/km | 12.5 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 670 m | 1,840 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 39 m | 47 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 5.9% | 2.6% |
| Total descent (m) | 358 m | 527 m |
| Net elevation (m) | 0 m | -1 m |
| Max absolute grade | 15.5% | 18.7% |
| Start elevation (m) | 4 m | 15 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 4 m | 15 m |
| Scenic score | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Conditions | 84/100 ✓ | 79/100 |
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- 0.9% Favoured
Uphill share
Steep-up share
Downhill share
Total ascent (m)
Climbing density (m/km)
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- 8.5 m/km
Longest climb length (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
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- 100/100
Conditions
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- 84/100 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 | Maine Marathon (Portland) | Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-10-04 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-10-18 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Portland, Maine | Bar Harbor, Maine |
| Actual distance | 42.2 km | 42.2 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Course type | Out And Back | Point To Point |
| Surface | Road | Paved roads |
| Elevation character | Rolling | Hilly |
| Terrain | Road, Trail | Road |
| Scenery | Coastal, Mountain, Waterfront, Forest, City, Countryside | Coastal, Mountain, Parkland, Desert, Island, Waterfront, Forest, Lakeside |
| Atmosphere | Community, Charity, Scenic Tour | Scenic Tour, Destination, Community |
| Technicality | Non Technical | Non Technical |
| Total ascent | 357 m | 526 m |
| Climbing density | 8.5 m/km | 12.5 m/km |
| Total descent | 358 m | 527 m |
| Net elevation | 0 m | -1 m |
| Max absolute grade | 15.5% | 18.7% |
| Flat grade share | 67.3% | 55.5% |
| GAP factor | 0.9% | 1.5% |
| Cutoff | 6:15:00 | 6:30:00 |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
| Qualifying status | Boston_equivalent | Boston_equivalent |
Schedule
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-10-04 (legacy event-level date).
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-10-18 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- Portland, Maine
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- Bar Harbor, Maine
Actual distance
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- 42.2 km
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- 42.2 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- Held
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- Held
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- Held
Course type
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- Out And Back
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- Point To Point
Surface
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- Road
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- Paved roads
Elevation character
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- Rolling
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- Hilly
Terrain
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- Road, Trail
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- Road
Scenery
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- Coastal, Mountain, Waterfront, Forest, City, Countryside
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- Coastal, Mountain, Parkland, Desert, Island, Waterfront, Forest, Lakeside
Atmosphere
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- Community, Charity, Scenic Tour
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- Scenic Tour, Destination, Community
Technicality
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- Non Technical
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- Non Technical
Total ascent
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- 357 m
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- 526 m
Climbing density
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- 8.5 m/km
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- 12.5 m/km
Total descent
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- 358 m
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- 527 m
Net elevation
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- 0 m
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- -1 m
Max absolute grade
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- 15.5%
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- 18.7%
Flat grade share
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- 67.3%
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- 55.5%
GAP factor
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- 0.9%
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- 1.5%
Cutoff
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- 6:15:00
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- 6:30:00
Entry model
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- Open
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- Open
Qualifying status
- Maine Marathon (Portland)
- Boston_equivalent
- Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay
- 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, Maine Marathon (Portland) or Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay?
Maine Marathon (Portland) has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.