Flat grade share
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 74.5% Favoured
Montana Marathon (Billings) vs Reims Champagne Run Marathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofMontana Marathon (Billings) or Reims Champagne Run Marathon — which comes out ahead?
Montana Marathon (Billings) has the stronger available profile on flat grade share, course flatness and scenery score.
Route comparison snapshot
Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- -2.5% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 74.5% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 193 m
- climbing density
- 4.6 m/km
- net elevation
- -253 m
- maximum grade
- 15.6%
Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- -0.4%
- flat grade share
- 60.8%
- lower ascent
- 389 m
- climbing density
- 9.3 m/km
- net elevation
- -161 m
- maximum grade
- 17.4%
| Metric | Montana Marathon (Billings) | Reims Champagne Run Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Flat grade share | 74.5% ✓ | 60.8% |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | -2.5% ✓ | -0.4% |
| Uphill share | 7.2% | 16.7% |
| Steep-up share | 0.5% | 3.5% |
| Downhill share | 18.3% | 22.5% |
| Total ascent (m) | 193 m | 389 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 4.6 m/km | 9.3 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 3,750 m | 2,250 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 39 m | 78 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 1.0% | 3.5% |
| Total descent (m) | 446 m | 551 m |
| Net elevation (m) | -253 m | -161 m |
| Max absolute grade | 15.6% | 17.4% |
| Start elevation (m) | 1,211 m | 249 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 958 m | 88 m |
| Scenic score | 97/100 ✓ | 73/100 |
| Conditions | 71/100 | 86/100 ✓ |
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- -2.5% Favoured
Uphill share
Steep-up share
Downhill share
Total ascent (m)
Climbing density (m/km)
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 4.6 m/km
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- 9.3 m/km
Longest climb length (m)
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 3,750 m
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- 2,250 m
Longest climb gain (m)
Longest climb average grade
Total descent (m)
Net elevation (m)
Max absolute grade
Start elevation (m)
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 1,211 m
Finish elevation (m)
Scenic score
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 97/100 Favoured
Conditions
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- 86/100 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 | Montana Marathon (Billings) | Reims Champagne Run Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-09-20 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-10-10 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Billings, Montana | Reims, France |
| Actual distance | 42.2 km | 42 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Course type | Point To Point | Unavailable |
| Surface | Roads open to traffic. | Unavailable |
| Elevation character | Net Downhill | Rolling |
| Terrain | Unavailable | Trail |
| Scenery | Waterfront, Parkland, Countryside, Mountain, Canyon, City | City, Vineyard, Historic, Forest, Countryside |
| Atmosphere | Unavailable | Festival, Destination, Scenic Tour |
| Technicality | Non Technical | Unavailable |
| Total ascent | 193 m | 389 m |
| Climbing density | 4.6 m/km | 9.3 m/km |
| Total descent | 446 m | 551 m |
| Net elevation | -253 m | -161 m |
| Max absolute grade | 15.6% | 17.4% |
| Flat grade share | 74.5% | 60.8% |
| GAP factor | -2.5% | -0.4% |
| Cutoff | 6:30:00 | Unavailable |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
| Qualifying status | Boston_equivalent | Unavailable |
Schedule
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-09-20 (legacy event-level date).
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-10-10 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Billings, Montana
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- Reims, France
Actual distance
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 42.2 km
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- 42 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Held
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Held
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- Held
Course type
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Point To Point
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- Unavailable
Surface
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Roads open to traffic.
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- Unavailable
Elevation character
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Net Downhill
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- Rolling
Terrain
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Unavailable
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- Trail
Scenery
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Waterfront, Parkland, Countryside, Mountain, Canyon, City
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- City, Vineyard, Historic, Forest, Countryside
Atmosphere
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Unavailable
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- Festival, Destination, Scenic Tour
Technicality
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Non Technical
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- Unavailable
Total ascent
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 193 m
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- 389 m
Climbing density
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 4.6 m/km
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- 9.3 m/km
Total descent
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 446 m
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- 551 m
Net elevation
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- -253 m
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- -161 m
Max absolute grade
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 15.6%
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- 17.4%
Flat grade share
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 74.5%
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- 60.8%
GAP factor
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- -2.5%
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- -0.4%
Cutoff
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 6:30:00
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- Unavailable
Entry model
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Open
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- Open
Qualifying status
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Boston_equivalent
- Reims Champagne Run Marathon
- Unavailable
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, Montana Marathon (Billings) or Reims Champagne Run Marathon?
Montana Marathon (Billings) has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.