Flat grade share
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 85.7% Favoured
Montana Marathon (Billings) 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 ofMontana Marathon (Billings) or TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon — which comes out ahead?
Montana Marathon (Billings) has the stronger available profile on course flatness, scenery score and conditions.
Route comparison snapshot
Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- -2.5% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 74.5%
- lower ascent
- 193 m
- climbing density
- 4.6 m/km
- net elevation
- -253 m
- maximum grade
- 15.6%
TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 0.2%
- 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 | Montana Marathon (Billings) | TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Flat grade share | 74.5% | 85.7% ✓ |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | -2.5% ✓ | 0.2% |
| Uphill share | 7.2% | 7.5% |
| Steep-up share | 0.5% | 0.2% |
| Downhill share | 18.3% | 6.7% |
| Total ascent (m) | 193 m | 180 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 4.6 m/km | 4.3 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 3,750 m | 1,250 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 39 m | 35 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 1.0% | 2.8% |
| Total descent (m) | 446 m | 185 m |
| Net elevation (m) | -253 m | -5 m |
| Max absolute grade | 15.6% | 9.0% |
| Start elevation (m) | 1,211 m | 172 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 958 m | 168 m |
| Scenic score | 97/100 ✓ | 89/100 |
| Conditions | 71/100 ✓ | 59/100 |
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
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 4.3 m/km
Longest climb length (m)
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 3,750 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
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 71/100 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) | TBK Bank Quad Cities 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 2026-09-27 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Billings, Montana | 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 | Roads open to traffic. | Unavailable |
| Elevation character | Net Downhill | Flat |
| Scenery | Waterfront, Parkland, Countryside, Mountain, Canyon, City | Riverside, Island, City, Waterfront, Historic |
| Technicality | Non Technical | Non Technical |
| Total ascent | 193 m | 180 m |
| Climbing density | 4.6 m/km | 4.3 m/km |
| Total descent | 446 m | 185 m |
| Net elevation | -253 m | -5 m |
| Max absolute grade | 15.6% | 9.0% |
| Flat grade share | 74.5% | 85.7% |
| GAP factor | -2.5% | 0.2% |
| Cutoff | 6:30:00 | 7:00:00 |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
| Qualifying status | Boston_equivalent | Boston_equivalent |
Schedule
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-09-20 (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
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Billings, Montana
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Davenport, Iowa
Actual distance
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 42.2 km
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 42.2 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Held
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Held
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Held
Course type
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Point To Point
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Loop
Surface
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Roads open to traffic.
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Unavailable
Elevation character
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Net Downhill
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Flat
Scenery
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Waterfront, Parkland, Countryside, Mountain, Canyon, City
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Riverside, Island, City, Waterfront, Historic
Technicality
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Non Technical
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Non Technical
Total ascent
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 193 m
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 180 m
Climbing density
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 4.6 m/km
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 4.3 m/km
Total descent
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 446 m
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 185 m
Net elevation
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- -253 m
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- -5 m
Max absolute grade
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 15.6%
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 9.0%
Flat grade share
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 74.5%
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 85.7%
GAP factor
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- -2.5%
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 0.2%
Cutoff
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 6:30:00
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 7:00:00
Entry model
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- Open
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Open
Qualifying status
- Montana Marathon (Billings)
- 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, Montana Marathon (Billings) or TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon?
Montana Marathon (Billings) has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.