Martian Invasion of Races 26K or Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon — which comes out ahead?

Martian Invasion of Races 26K has the stronger available profile on flat grade share, course flatness and scenery score.

Route comparison snapshot

Martian Invasion of Races 26K

Mapped route
Held
Elevation profile
Held
course flatness
0.1% Favoured
flat grade share
96.8% Favoured
lower ascent
65 m
climbing density
2.5 m/km
net elevation
0 m
maximum grade
5.4%

Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon

Mapped route
Held
Elevation profile
Held
course flatness
0.1%
flat grade share
96.1%
lower ascent
58 m
climbing density
2.7 m/km
net elevation
0 m
maximum grade
5.4%
Head-to-head comparison
MetricMartian Invasion of Races 26KMartian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
Flat grade share96.8%96.1%
GAP factor (% slower than flat)0.1%0.1%
Uphill share1.2%1.4%
Steep-up share0.0%0.0%
Downhill share2.0%2.5%
Total ascent (m)65 m58 m
Climbing density (m/km)2.5 m/km2.7 m/km
Longest climb length (m)1,350 m1,360 m
Longest climb gain (m)7 m7 m
Longest climb average grade0.5%0.5%
Total descent (m)65 m58 m
Net elevation (m)0 m0 m
Max absolute grade5.4%5.4%
Start elevation (m)178 m178 m
Finish elevation (m)178 m178 m
Scenic score64/10030/100
Conditions81/10081/100

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.

Same-distance comparisons are most meaningful; cross-distance metrics are contextual.

Race facts that change the decision

Race facts comparison
FactMartian Invasion of Races 26KMartian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
Schedule

Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-04-11 (legacy event-level date).

Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-04-11 (legacy event-level date).

LocationDearborn, MichiganDearborn, Michigan
Actual distance26 km21.1 km
raceindex.org mapped route heldHeldHeld
raceindex.org elevation profile heldHeldHeld
Course typeOut And BackUnavailable
SurfacePaved roads and paved park pathsPaved roads and paved park paths
Elevation characterUnavailablePancake Flat
TerrainRoadRoad
SceneryRiverside, Parkland, Countryside, CityParkland, City, Riverside
AtmosphereFestival, CommunityFestival, Community
Total ascent65 m58 m
Climbing density2.5 m/km2.7 m/km
Total descent65 m58 m
Net elevation0 m0 m
Max absolute grade5.4%5.4%
Flat grade share96.8%96.1%
GAP factor0.1%0.1%
CutoffUnavailable4:45:00
Entry modelOpenOpen

Schedule

Martian Invasion of Races 26K

Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-04-11 (legacy event-level date).

Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon

Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-04-11 (legacy event-level date).

Location

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
Dearborn, Michigan
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
Dearborn, Michigan

Actual distance

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
26 km
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
21.1 km

raceindex.org mapped route held

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
Held
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
Held

raceindex.org elevation profile held

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
Held
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
Held

Course type

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
Out And Back
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
Unavailable

Surface

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
Paved roads and paved park paths
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
Paved roads and paved park paths

Elevation character

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
Unavailable
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
Pancake Flat

Terrain

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
Road
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
Road

Scenery

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
Riverside, Parkland, Countryside, City
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
Parkland, City, Riverside

Atmosphere

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
Festival, Community
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
Festival, Community

Total ascent

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
65 m
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
58 m

Climbing density

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
2.5 m/km
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
2.7 m/km

Total descent

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
65 m
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
58 m

Net elevation

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
0 m
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
0 m

Max absolute grade

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
5.4%
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
5.4%

Flat grade share

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
96.8%
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
96.1%

GAP factor

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
0.1%
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
0.1%

Cutoff

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
Unavailable
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
4:45:00

Entry model

Martian Invasion of Races 26K
Open
Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon
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, Martian Invasion of Races 26K or Martian Invasion of Races Half Marathon?

Martian Invasion of Races 26K has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.

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