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