Flat grade share
- Zürich Marathon
- 98.2% Favoured
Zürich Marathon vs SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofZürich Marathon or SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon — which comes out ahead?
Zürich Marathon has the stronger available profile on flat grade share, course flatness and conditions.
Route comparison snapshot
Zürich Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 0.0% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 98.2% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 66 m
- climbing density
- 1.6 m/km
- net elevation
- -2 m
- maximum grade
- 5.9%
SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 0.3%
- flat grade share
- 88.6%
- lower ascent
- 162 m
- climbing density
- 3.8 m/km
- net elevation
- -2 m
- maximum grade
- 7.8%
| Metric | Zürich Marathon | SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Flat grade share | 98.2% ✓ | 88.6% |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | 0.0% ✓ | 0.3% |
| Uphill share | 0.9% | 5.0% |
| Steep-up share | 0.0% | 1.1% |
| Downhill share | 1.0% | 6.4% |
| Total ascent (m) | 66 m | 162 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 1.6 m/km | 3.8 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 330 m | 760 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 8 m | 27 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 2.5% | 3.5% |
| Total descent (m) | 68 m | 163 m |
| Net elevation (m) | -2 m | -2 m |
| Max absolute grade | 5.9% | 7.8% |
| Start elevation (m) | 410 m | 437 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 408 m | 435 m |
| Scenic score | 55/100 | 100/100 ✓ |
| Conditions | 91/100 ✓ | 89/100 |
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- Zürich Marathon
- 0.0% Favoured
Uphill share
- Zürich Marathon
- 0.9%
Steep-up share
- Zürich Marathon
- 0.0%
Downhill share
- Zürich Marathon
- 1.0%
Total ascent (m)
- Zürich Marathon
- 66 m
Climbing density (m/km)
- Zürich Marathon
- 1.6 m/km
Longest climb length (m)
- Zürich Marathon
- 330 m
Longest climb gain (m)
Longest climb average grade
- Zürich Marathon
- 2.5%
Total descent (m)
- Zürich Marathon
- 68 m
Net elevation (m)
- Zürich Marathon
- -2 m
Max absolute grade
- Zürich Marathon
- 5.9%
Start elevation (m)
- Zürich Marathon
- 410 m
Finish elevation (m)
- Zürich Marathon
- 408 m
Scenic score
- Zürich Marathon
- 55/100
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- 100/100 Favoured
Conditions
- Zürich Marathon
- 91/100 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 | Zürich Marathon | SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2027-04-11 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-10-25 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Zürich, Switzerland | Lucerne, Switzerland |
| 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 | Loop |
| Elevation character | Flat | Gently Rolling |
| Terrain | Road | Road |
| Scenery | City, Lakeside, Historic | Lakeside, Waterfront, Historic, City, Coastal, Mountain, Forest |
| Atmosphere | Big City, Festival, Community | Big City, Festival, Scenic Tour |
| Technicality | Non Technical | Non Technical |
| Total ascent | 66 m | 162 m |
| Climbing density | 1.6 m/km | 3.8 m/km |
| Total descent | 68 m | 163 m |
| Net elevation | -2 m | -2 m |
| Max absolute grade | 5.9% | 7.8% |
| Flat grade share | 98.2% | 88.6% |
| GAP factor | 0.0% | 0.3% |
| Cutoff | 5:30:00 | Unavailable |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
| Qualifying status | Unavailable | Championship |
Schedule
- Zürich Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2027-04-11 (legacy event-level date).
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-10-25 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Zürich Marathon
- Zürich, Switzerland
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- Lucerne, Switzerland
Actual distance
- Zürich Marathon
- 42.2 km
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- 42.2 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Zürich Marathon
- Held
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Zürich Marathon
- Held
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- Held
Course type
- Zürich Marathon
- Out And Back
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- Loop
Elevation character
- Zürich Marathon
- Flat
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- Gently Rolling
Terrain
- Zürich Marathon
- Road
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- Road
Scenery
- Zürich Marathon
- City, Lakeside, Historic
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- Lakeside, Waterfront, Historic, City, Coastal, Mountain, Forest
Atmosphere
- Zürich Marathon
- Big City, Festival, Community
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- Big City, Festival, Scenic Tour
Technicality
- Zürich Marathon
- Non Technical
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- Non Technical
Total ascent
- Zürich Marathon
- 66 m
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- 162 m
Climbing density
- Zürich Marathon
- 1.6 m/km
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- 3.8 m/km
Total descent
- Zürich Marathon
- 68 m
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- 163 m
Net elevation
- Zürich Marathon
- -2 m
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- -2 m
Max absolute grade
- Zürich Marathon
- 5.9%
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- 7.8%
Flat grade share
- Zürich Marathon
- 98.2%
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- 88.6%
GAP factor
- Zürich Marathon
- 0.0%
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- 0.3%
Cutoff
- Zürich Marathon
- 5:30:00
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- Unavailable
Entry model
- Zürich Marathon
- Open
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- Open
Qualifying status
- Zürich Marathon
- Unavailable
- SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon
- Championship
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, Zürich Marathon or SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne Marathon?
Zürich Marathon has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.