Scenic score
- Marine Corps Marathon
- 83/100 Favoured
- Philadelphia Marathon
- 79/100
Marine Corps Marathon vs Philadelphia Marathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofMarine Corps Marathon or Philadelphia Marathon — which comes out ahead?
Marine Corps Marathon and Philadelphia Marathon split the available advantages, so the better choice depends on which metric matters most to the runner.
Route comparison snapshot
Marine Corps Marathon
- Mapped route
- Not held
- Elevation profile
- Not held
Philadelphia Marathon
- Mapped route
- Not held
- Elevation profile
- Not held
| Metric | Marine Corps Marathon | Philadelphia Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Scenic score | 83/100 ✓ | 79/100 |
| Conditions | 43/100 | 85/100 ✓ |
Conditions
- Marine Corps Marathon
- 43/100
- Philadelphia Marathon
- 85/100 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 | Marine Corps Marathon | Philadelphia Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-10-25 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-11-22 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Arlington, Virginia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Actual distance | 42.2 km | 42.2 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Not held | Not held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Not held | Not held |
| Course type | Loop | Point To Point |
| Surface | Road | Unavailable |
| Elevation character | Gently Rolling | Gently Rolling |
| Terrain | Road | Road |
| Scenery | Historic, City, Riverside, Waterfront, Parkland | City, Riverside, Waterfront, Historic, Parkland |
| Atmosphere | Big City, Community, Destination | Big City, Festival, Community |
| Technicality | Non Technical | Non Technical |
| Total ascent | 213 m | 198 m |
| Total descent | 203 m | 195 m |
| Net elevation | 10 m | 3 m |
| Cutoff | Unavailable | 7:00:00 |
| Field cap | 30,000 | Unavailable |
| Entry model | Ballot | Open |
| Qualifying status | Unavailable | Boston_equivalent |
Schedule
- Marine Corps Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-10-25 (legacy event-level date).
- Philadelphia Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-11-22 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Marine Corps Marathon
- Arlington, Virginia
- Philadelphia Marathon
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Actual distance
- Marine Corps Marathon
- 42.2 km
- Philadelphia Marathon
- 42.2 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Marine Corps Marathon
- Not held
- Philadelphia Marathon
- Not held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Marine Corps Marathon
- Not held
- Philadelphia Marathon
- Not held
Course type
- Marine Corps Marathon
- Loop
- Philadelphia Marathon
- Point To Point
Surface
- Marine Corps Marathon
- Road
- Philadelphia Marathon
- Unavailable
Elevation character
- Marine Corps Marathon
- Gently Rolling
- Philadelphia Marathon
- Gently Rolling
Terrain
- Marine Corps Marathon
- Road
- Philadelphia Marathon
- Road
Scenery
- Marine Corps Marathon
- Historic, City, Riverside, Waterfront, Parkland
- Philadelphia Marathon
- City, Riverside, Waterfront, Historic, Parkland
Atmosphere
- Marine Corps Marathon
- Big City, Community, Destination
- Philadelphia Marathon
- Big City, Festival, Community
Technicality
- Marine Corps Marathon
- Non Technical
- Philadelphia Marathon
- Non Technical
Total ascent
- Marine Corps Marathon
- 213 m
- Philadelphia Marathon
- 198 m
Total descent
- Marine Corps Marathon
- 203 m
- Philadelphia Marathon
- 195 m
Net elevation
- Marine Corps Marathon
- 10 m
- Philadelphia Marathon
- 3 m
Cutoff
- Marine Corps Marathon
- Unavailable
- Philadelphia Marathon
- 7:00:00
Field cap
- Marine Corps Marathon
- 30,000
- Philadelphia Marathon
- Unavailable
Entry model
- Marine Corps Marathon
- Ballot
- Philadelphia Marathon
- Open
Qualifying status
- Marine Corps Marathon
- Unavailable
- Philadelphia 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.