Marathon Course Profiles Explained

The three profile labels

Marathon Focus classifies courses as flat, rolling, or hilly based on terrain and total climbing. These labels appear on every marathon page alongside precise elevation statistics.

• Flat — minimal climbing; often sea-level or river-valley routes. Good for even pacing and PB attempts.
• Rolling — moderate ups and downs; net elevation change is usually small but legs still work on undulations.
• Hilly — sustained climbs or significant net gain/loss; pace varies more and conservative early miles matter.

Elevation gain, loss, and net change

Total gain is how many metres you climb in total; loss is how much you descend. Net change is gain minus loss — positive net means you finish higher than you started. A course can be labelled rolling with 200 m of gain if those metres are spread across many small hills rather than one big climb.

Altitude above sea level

Thin air at altitude affects effort even on flat roads. A flat marathon at 1,600 m will feel harder than the elevation numbers suggest. Compare altitude on race pages when choosing between similar profiles.

Course maps and video

Official course maps show where climbs sit in the race — critical for pacing. Where available, race-day video on Marathon Focus helps you picture crowding, turns, and exposed sections that numbers alone do not capture.

Choosing terrain for your goal

Chasing a time? Prioritise flat courses with cool weather. Want a challenge or a scenic tour? Hilly races can be more memorable if you adjust expectations. See flat vs hilly marathons for a direct comparison, then filter marathons by elevation.