Flat grade share
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 86.9% Favoured
Paavo Nurmi Marathon vs Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofPaavo Nurmi Marathon or Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi) — which comes out ahead?
Paavo Nurmi Marathon has the stronger available profile on flat grade share, course flatness and scenery score.
Route comparison snapshot
Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 0.3% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 86.9% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 179 m
- climbing density
- 4.2 m/km
- net elevation
- -2 m
- maximum grade
- 10.9%
Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 1.1%
- flat grade share
- 65.3%
- lower ascent
- 392 m
- climbing density
- 9.3 m/km
- net elevation
- -0 m
- maximum grade
- 11.9%
| Metric | Paavo Nurmi Marathon | Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi) |
|---|---|---|
| Flat grade share | 86.9% ✓ | 65.3% |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | 0.3% ✓ | 1.1% |
| Uphill share | 6.3% | 17.4% |
| Steep-up share | 0.2% | 2.8% |
| Downhill share | 6.8% | 17.3% |
| Total ascent (m) | 179 m | 392 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 4.2 m/km | 9.3 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 310 m | 1,120 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 11 m | 59 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 3.7% | 5.3% |
| Total descent (m) | 181 m | 391 m |
| Net elevation (m) | -2 m | -0 m |
| Max absolute grade | 10.9% | 11.9% |
| Start elevation (m) | 10 m | 163 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 8 m | 162 m |
| Scenic score | 100/100 ✓ | 65/100 |
| Conditions | 64/100 ✓ | 63/100 |
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 0.3% Favoured
Uphill share
Steep-up share
Downhill share
Total ascent (m)
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 179 m
Climbing density (m/km)
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 4.2 m/km
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 9.3 m/km
Longest climb length (m)
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 310 m
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 1,120 m
Longest climb gain (m)
Longest climb average grade
Total descent (m)
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 181 m
Net elevation (m)
Max absolute grade
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 10.9%
Start elevation (m)
Finish elevation (m)
Scenic score
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 100/100 Favoured
Conditions
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 64/100 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 | Paavo Nurmi Marathon | Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi) |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-08-14 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2027-04-04 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Turku, Finland | Rovaniemi, Finland |
| Actual distance | 42.2 km | 42.2 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Course type | Laps | Loop |
| Surface | Road / paved streets and park roads | Approximately 90% snow Covered dirt roads and 10% forest single track; spiked trail shoes recommended for icy sections. |
| Elevation character | Flat | Gently Rolling |
| Terrain | Road | Mixed, Trail |
| Scenery | Riverside, City, Historic, Parkland, Island, Coastal, Waterfront, Forest | Countryside, Forest, Riverside, City |
| Atmosphere | Community, Festival, Scenic Tour | Destination, Wilderness, Community |
| Technicality | Non Technical | Moderate |
| Total ascent | 179 m | 392 m |
| Climbing density | 4.2 m/km | 9.3 m/km |
| Total descent | 181 m | 391 m |
| Net elevation | -2 m | -0 m |
| Max absolute grade | 10.9% | 11.9% |
| Flat grade share | 86.9% | 65.3% |
| GAP factor | 0.3% | 1.1% |
| Cutoff | 6:00:00 | Unavailable |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
Schedule
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-08-14 (legacy event-level date).
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2027-04-04 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Turku, Finland
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Rovaniemi, Finland
Actual distance
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 42.2 km
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 42.2 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Held
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Held
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Held
Course type
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Laps
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Loop
Surface
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Road / paved streets and park roads
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Approximately 90% snow Covered dirt roads and 10% forest single track; spiked trail shoes recommended for icy sections.
Elevation character
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Flat
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Gently Rolling
Terrain
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Road
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Mixed, Trail
Scenery
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Riverside, City, Historic, Parkland, Island, Coastal, Waterfront, Forest
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Countryside, Forest, Riverside, City
Atmosphere
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Community, Festival, Scenic Tour
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Destination, Wilderness, Community
Technicality
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Non Technical
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Moderate
Total ascent
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 179 m
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 392 m
Climbing density
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 4.2 m/km
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 9.3 m/km
Total descent
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 181 m
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 391 m
Net elevation
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- -2 m
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- -0 m
Max absolute grade
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 10.9%
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 11.9%
Flat grade share
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 86.9%
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 65.3%
GAP factor
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 0.3%
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- 1.1%
Cutoff
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- 6:00:00
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Unavailable
Entry model
- Paavo Nurmi Marathon
- Open
- Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)
- Open
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, Paavo Nurmi Marathon or Arctic Marathon (Rovaniemi)?
Paavo Nurmi Marathon has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.