Flat grade share
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 85.7% Favoured
TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon vs FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofTBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon or FirstEnergy Akron Marathon — which comes out ahead?
TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon and FirstEnergy Akron Marathon split the available advantages, so the better choice depends on which metric matters most to the runner.
Route comparison snapshot
TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 0.2% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 85.7% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 180 m
- climbing density
- 4.3 m/km
- net elevation
- -5 m
- maximum grade
- 9.0%
FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 0.7%
- flat grade share
- 73.4%
- lower ascent
- 350 m
- climbing density
- 8.3 m/km
- net elevation
- -6 m
- maximum grade
- 13.8%
| Metric | TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon | FirstEnergy Akron Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Flat grade share | 85.7% ✓ | 73.4% |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | 0.2% ✓ | 0.7% |
| Uphill share | 7.5% | 13.3% |
| Steep-up share | 0.2% | 1.5% |
| Downhill share | 6.7% | 13.3% |
| Total ascent (m) | 180 m | 350 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 4.3 m/km | 8.3 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 1,250 m | 2,970 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 35 m | 70 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 2.8% | 2.4% |
| Total descent (m) | 185 m | 355 m |
| Net elevation (m) | -5 m | -6 m |
| Max absolute grade | 9.0% | 13.8% |
| Start elevation (m) | 172 m | 297 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 168 m | 291 m |
| Scenic score | 89/100 | 100/100 ✓ |
| Conditions | 59/100 | 66/100 ✓ |
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 0.2% Favoured
Uphill share
Steep-up share
Downhill share
Total ascent (m)
Climbing density (m/km)
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 4.3 m/km
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 8.3 m/km
Longest climb length (m)
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 2,970 m
Longest climb gain (m)
Longest climb average grade
Total descent (m)
Net elevation (m)
Max absolute grade
Start elevation (m)
Finish elevation (m)
Scenic score
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 100/100 Favoured
Conditions
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 66/100 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 | TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon | FirstEnergy Akron Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-09-27 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-09-26 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Davenport, Iowa | Akron, Ohio |
| Actual distance | 42.2 km | 42.2 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Course type | Loop | Point To Point |
| Surface | Unavailable | Paved roads and trail (the course incorporates sections of the Towpath Trail through Summit Metro Parks) |
| Elevation character | Flat | Hilly |
| Terrain | Unavailable | Trail, Towpath, Beach, Road, Mixed |
| Scenery | Riverside, Island, City, Waterfront, Historic | City, Parkland, Mountain, Historic, Desert, Riverside |
| Atmosphere | Unavailable | Community, Big City, Festival |
| Technicality | Non Technical | Moderate |
| Total ascent | 180 m | 350 m |
| Climbing density | 4.3 m/km | 8.3 m/km |
| Total descent | 185 m | 355 m |
| Net elevation | -5 m | -6 m |
| Max absolute grade | 9.0% | 13.8% |
| Flat grade share | 85.7% | 73.4% |
| GAP factor | 0.2% | 0.7% |
| Cutoff | 7:00:00 | 6:30:00 |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
| Qualifying status | Boston_equivalent | Boston_equivalent |
Schedule
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-09-27 (legacy event-level date).
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-09-26 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Davenport, Iowa
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Akron, Ohio
Actual distance
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 42.2 km
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 42.2 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Held
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Held
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Held
Course type
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Loop
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Point To Point
Surface
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Unavailable
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Paved roads and trail (the course incorporates sections of the Towpath Trail through Summit Metro Parks)
Elevation character
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Flat
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Hilly
Terrain
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Unavailable
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Trail, Towpath, Beach, Road, Mixed
Scenery
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Riverside, Island, City, Waterfront, Historic
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- City, Parkland, Mountain, Historic, Desert, Riverside
Atmosphere
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Unavailable
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Community, Big City, Festival
Technicality
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Non Technical
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Moderate
Total ascent
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 180 m
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 350 m
Climbing density
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 4.3 m/km
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 8.3 m/km
Total descent
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 185 m
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 355 m
Net elevation
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- -5 m
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- -6 m
Max absolute grade
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 9.0%
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 13.8%
Flat grade share
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 85.7%
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 73.4%
GAP factor
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 0.2%
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 0.7%
Cutoff
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- 7:00:00
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- 6:30:00
Entry model
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Open
- FirstEnergy Akron Marathon
- Open
Qualifying status
- TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon
- Boston_equivalent
- FirstEnergy Akron 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, TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon or FirstEnergy Akron Marathon?
TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.