Flat grade share
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- 82.8% Favoured
Thames Meander Marathon (London) vs Richmond Park Marathon (London)
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofThames Meander Marathon (London) or Richmond Park Marathon (London) — which comes out ahead?
Thames Meander Marathon (London) has the stronger available profile on flat grade share, course flatness and scenery score.
Route comparison snapshot
Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 0.4% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 82.8% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 274 m
- climbing density
- 6.5 m/km
- net elevation
- 0 m
- maximum grade
- 6.1%
Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 1.2%
- flat grade share
- 63.0%
- lower ascent
- 423 m
- climbing density
- 10.0 m/km
- net elevation
- 6 m
- maximum grade
- 15.3%
| Metric | Thames Meander Marathon (London) | Richmond Park Marathon (London) |
|---|---|---|
| Flat grade share | 82.8% ✓ | 63.0% |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | 0.4% ✓ | 1.2% |
| Uphill share | 9.4% | 17.0% |
| Steep-up share | 0.1% | 2.7% |
| Downhill share | 7.8% | 19.9% |
| Total ascent (m) | 274 m | 423 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 6.5 m/km | 10.0 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 160 m | 1,600 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 7 m | 45 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 4.1% | 2.8% |
| Total descent (m) | 274 m | 417 m |
| Net elevation (m) | 0 m | 6 m |
| Max absolute grade | 6.1% | 15.3% |
| Start elevation (m) | 11 m | 19 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 12 m | 25 m |
| Value | 80/100 | Unavailable |
| Scenic score | 89/100 ✓ | 70/100 |
| Conditions | 36/100 | 65/100 ✓ |
| Entry fee (GBP) | £55 | Unavailable |
| Lowest modelled true cost (GBP) | £185 | Unavailable |
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- 0.4% Favoured
Uphill share
Steep-up share
Downhill share
Total ascent (m)
Climbing density (m/km)
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- 6.5 m/km
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- 10.0 m/km
Longest climb length (m)
Longest climb gain (m)
Longest climb average grade
Total descent (m)
Net elevation (m)
Max absolute grade
Start elevation (m)
Finish elevation (m)
Value
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Unavailable
Scenic score
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- 89/100 Favoured
Conditions
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- 65/100 Favoured
Entry fee (GBP)
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Unavailable
Lowest modelled true cost (GBP)
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Unavailable
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 | Thames Meander Marathon (London) | Richmond Park Marathon (London) |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-08-09 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-08-23 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Barnes, London | London, London |
| Actual distance | 42.2 km | 42.2 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Course type | Out And Back | Laps |
| Surface | Thames Path towpath, described as a runnable riverside route. | Mixed terrain on grass paths and the Tamsin Trail with some sealed sections. |
| Elevation character | Flat | Gently Rolling |
| Terrain | Trail, Towpath, Mixed, Road | Trail, Mixed |
| Scenery | Coastal, Waterfront, Parkland, Riverside, City | Parkland, Forest, Historic |
| Atmosphere | Scenic Tour, Community | Community, Scenic Tour |
| Technicality | Non Technical | Non Technical |
| Total ascent | 274 m | 423 m |
| Climbing density | 6.5 m/km | 10.0 m/km |
| Total descent | 274 m | 417 m |
| Net elevation | 0 m | 6 m |
| Max absolute grade | 6.1% | 15.3% |
| Flat grade share | 82.8% | 63.0% |
| GAP factor | 0.4% | 1.2% |
| Cutoff | 6:30:00 | 6:30:00 |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
| Entry fee | £55 | Unavailable |
| Lowest modelled true cost | £185 | Unavailable |
| Cost model origin | National Average | Unavailable |
| Measured course | Yes | Unavailable |
Schedule
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-08-09 (legacy event-level date).
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-08-23 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- Barnes, London
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- London, London
Actual distance
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- 42.2 km
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- 42.2 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- Held
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- Held
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Held
Course type
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- Out And Back
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Laps
Surface
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- Thames Path towpath, described as a runnable riverside route.
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Mixed terrain on grass paths and the Tamsin Trail with some sealed sections.
Elevation character
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- Flat
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Gently Rolling
Terrain
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- Trail, Towpath, Mixed, Road
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Trail, Mixed
Scenery
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- Coastal, Waterfront, Parkland, Riverside, City
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Parkland, Forest, Historic
Atmosphere
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- Scenic Tour, Community
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Community, Scenic Tour
Technicality
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- Non Technical
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Non Technical
Total ascent
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- 274 m
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- 423 m
Climbing density
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- 6.5 m/km
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- 10.0 m/km
Total descent
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- 274 m
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- 417 m
Net elevation
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- 0 m
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- 6 m
Max absolute grade
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- 6.1%
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- 15.3%
Flat grade share
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- 82.8%
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- 63.0%
GAP factor
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- 0.4%
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- 1.2%
Cutoff
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- 6:30:00
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- 6:30:00
Entry model
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- Open
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Open
Entry fee
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- £55
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Unavailable
Lowest modelled true cost
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- £185
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Unavailable
Cost model origin
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- National Average
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- Unavailable
Measured course
- Thames Meander Marathon (London)
- Yes
- Richmond Park Marathon (London)
- 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, Thames Meander Marathon (London) or Richmond Park Marathon (London)?
Thames Meander Marathon (London) has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.