Downhill Marathons

Net-downhill marathons drop more metres than they climb from start to finish — often point-to-point courses that start in the hills or highlands and finish at sea level. The extra gravity can help a personal best, though quads still pay for sustained descents.

47 marathons have a net-downhill profile, sorted by steepest descent first. Courses like REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon (1599m net drop) headline the list.

Many downhill races are also strong Boston Qualifier options in the US. For flat terrain instead, see flat marathons.

World Marathon Major

LondonEnglandUnited Kingdom

London Marathon

The TCS London Marathon is one of the world's most popular races, famous for its incredible charity fundraising and electric atmosphere. The fast course passes Tower Bridge, the Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, and finishes on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. With gentle undulations and around 127 metres of total climbing, it consistently produces fast times — including Sabastian Sawe's 1:59:30 men's world record and Tigst Assefa's 2:15:41 women's-only world record, both set at the 2026 race.

Next race: Saturday, 24 April 2027

World Marathon Major

BerlinBerlinGermany

Berlin Marathon

The Generali Berlin Marathon is renowned as one of the world's fastest marathon courses, having hosted more men's marathon world records than any other venue. The flat, straight boulevards take runners past the Brandenburg Gate for a spectacular finish. Elite and recreational runners alike target Berlin for personal bests.

Next race: Sunday, 26 September 2027

World Marathon Major

TokyoTokyoJapan

Tokyo Marathon

The Tokyo Marathon is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, drawing over 38,000 runners through the heart of Japan's capital. The course showcases iconic landmarks including the Tokyo Station, Imperial Palace, and Ginza district before finishing near Tokyo Station. Known for exceptional organisation and enthusiastic crowd support, it is a bucket-list race for international runners.

Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027

World Marathon Major

SydneyNew South WalesAustralia

Sydney Marathon

The Sydney Marathon offers one of the most scenic marathon courses in the world, crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge with views of the Opera House and harbour. As the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major, Sydney combines iconic landmarks with a challenging but rewarding course through Australia's largest city.

Next race: Sunday, 29 August 2027

ValenciaValencian CommunitySpain

Valencia Marathon

The Valencia Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 29k finishers on an urban road in Valencia, Spain. The course starts and finishes at the City of Arts and Sciences. One of Europe's fastest courses, with no significant hills.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

World Marathon Major

BostonMassachusettsUnited States

Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon and the only major requiring qualification for most runners. Starting in Hopkinton and finishing on Boylston Street, the course features the challenging Heartbreak Hill and legendary New England crowd support. It is the pinnacle race for competitive amateur marathoners.

Next race: Monday, 19 April 2027

Los AngelesCaliforniaUnited States

Los Angeles Marathon

The Los Angeles Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 23k finishers on an urban road in Los Angeles, United States. The course starts at Dodger Stadium and finishes at the Avenue of the Stars in Century City. Net downhill overall, though with rolling sections through Hollywood.

Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027

DublinIreland

Dublin Marathon

The Dublin Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 20k finishers on an urban road in Dublin, Ireland. The course starts on Leeson Street Lower near St Stephen's Green and finishes on Mount Street Upper by the Pepper Canister Church. The route passes the Liberties, Phoenix Park, Kilmainham, Terenure, Clonskeagh, and Merrion Road. Mostly flat with gentle undulations on Liffey bridge crossings.

Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026

AthensGreece

Athens Marathon

The Athens Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 14k finishers on a historic urban road in Athens, Greece. The course runs from Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens — the original 490 BC route. Expect significant climbs on this hilly course.

Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026

TorontoOntarioCanada

Toronto Waterfront Marathon

The Toronto Waterfront Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 14k finishers on an urban road in Toronto, Canada. The course starts and finishes at Nathan Phillips Square. The route follows the Lake Ontario waterfront through the Beaches, High Park, and downtown Toronto. Mostly flat with minor rises leaving the lakeshore.

Next race: Sunday, 18 October 2026

BarcelonaCataloniaSpain

Barcelona Marathon

The Barcelona Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 13k finishers on an urban road in Barcelona, Spain. The course starts and finishes at Plaça d'Espanya. The route passes Sagrada Família, Camp Nou, the Arc de Triomf, and the beachfront. Mostly flat with gentle undulations on diagonal crossings.

Next race: Sunday, 14 March 2027

Mexico CityMexico

Mexico City Marathon

The Mexico City Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 11k finishers on an urban road in Mexico City, Mexico. The course starts and finishes at the Zócalo. The route passes Chapultepec Park, Paseo de la Reforma, and the Angel of Independence. Mostly flat at high altitude (2,200 m), with gentle undulations on Reforma.

Next race: Sunday, 29 August 2027

ReykjavikIceland

Reykjavik Marathon

The Reykjavik Marathon draws approximately 7,000 finishers on an urban road in Reykjavik, Iceland. The course starts and finishes at Lækjartorg in the city centre. Mostly flat with ocean breezes; half-marathon and full share the same start.

Next race: Saturday, 21 August 2027

Gold CoastQueenslandAustralia

Gold Coast Marathon

The Gold Coast Marathon draws approximately 6,500 finishers on a scenic coastal road in Gold Coast, Australia. The course starts and finishes at Southport Broadwater Parklands. Very flat and fast, with no significant hills.

Next race: Sunday, 4 July 2027

DuluthMinnesotaUnited States

Grandma's Marathon

Grandma's Marathon is a classic North Shore point-to-point from Two Harbors to Duluth, Minnesota, drawing about 6,500 runners each June. The net-downhill course follows Lake Superior's scenic Highway 61 with views of the big lake, boreal forest, and Duluth's hillside finish in Canal Park. Cool lake breezes and a fast early profile make it one of America's most popular regional marathons.

Next race: Saturday, 19 June 2027

DetroitMichiganUnited States

Detroit Marathon

The Detroit Marathon draws approximately 5,500 finishers on an urban road in Detroit, United States. The course starts and finishes in downtown Detroit. Mostly flat with climbs on the bridge and tunnel approaches.

Next race: Sunday, 18 October 2026

PittsburghPennsylvaniaUnited States

Pittsburgh Marathon

The Pittsburgh Marathon draws approximately 5,000 finishers on an urban road in Pittsburgh, United States. The course starts and finishes at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The route crosses the city's three rivers via multiple bridges, passing PNC Park and Mount Washington. Hilly with repeated bridge climbs throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027

St. GeorgeUtahUnited States

St. George Marathon

The St. George Marathon is one of America's fastest marathons, drawing about 5,000 finishers each October on a net-downhill point-to-point from Pine Valley to St. George, Utah. The course drops through striking red-rock desert scenery in southwestern Utah with cool October desert mornings. It is a premier Boston qualifier and destination race for speed-focused runners.

Next race: Saturday, 2 October 2027

Las VegasNevadaUnited States

Las Vegas Marathon

The Las Vegas Marathon draws approximately 4,800 finishers on an urban road in Las Vegas, United States. The course starts on the Strip and finishes at the Festival Grounds. The route runs the length of Las Vegas Boulevard past the major casinos. Mostly flat along the desert floor.

Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026

San DiegoCaliforniaUnited States

San Diego Marathon

The San Diego Marathon draws approximately 4,800 finishers on a scenic coastal road in San Diego, United States. The course starts and finishes in Balboa Park. Mostly flat with gentle rises inland from the coast.

Next race: Sunday, 6 June 2027

QueenstownNew Zealand

Queenstown Marathon

The Queenstown Marathon is New Zealand's most scenic destination race, drawing about 4,500 finishers each November on a net-downhill point-to-point from Tekapo to Queenstown. The course follows the shores of Lake Wakatipu and passes through Gibbston Valley wine country with Remarkables mountain views. November late-spring weather and alpine scenery make it a bucket-list Oceania marathon.

Next race: Sunday, 15 November 2026

RichmondVirginiaUnited States

Richmond Marathon

The Richmond Marathon draws approximately 4,000 finishers on an urban road in Richmond, United States. The course starts and finishes at the Richmond Coliseum. The route follows the James River Park System and passes historic Monument Avenue. Very flat with riverside trails.

Next race: Saturday, 14 November 2026

SacramentoCaliforniaUnited States

Sacramento Marathon

The Sacramento Marathon — universally known as the California International Marathon (CIM) — draws approximately 4,000 finishers each December on a fast point-to-point road from Folsom to downtown Sacramento. The net-downhill course drops roughly 103 metres through the Sierra Nevada foothills before finishing on Capitol Mall in front of the California State Capitol. Cool early-December weather and a USATF-certified profile make it one of the most reliable Boston-qualifier races in the western United States.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

SeattleWashingtonUnited States

Seattle Marathon

The Seattle Marathon draws approximately 4,000 finishers on an urban road in Seattle, United States. The course starts at the University of Washington and finishes at Seattle Center near the Space Needle. The route crosses the I-90 bridge to Mercer Island and returns via the Lake Washington Boulevard. Mostly flat with a climb on the I-90 bridge.

Next race: Sunday, 29 November 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a downhill marathon?: A downhill marathon has net elevation loss from start to finish — often a point-to-point course that drops more than it climbs. Marathon Focus lists net-downhill races sorted by steepest descent to help you compare profiles.
Are downhill marathons good for personal bests?: Net-downhill courses can help runners post fast times when pacing is disciplined and the descent is not so steep that quad damage costs you late miles. Boston is the famous example: fast overall, but with demanding hills in the second half.
Does downhill count for Boston qualifying?: Many net-downhill US marathons are Boston Qualifiers, but the B.A.A. applies adjustments for excessive descent from 2027 onward. Check current B.A.A. rules and each race's certification status before treating a steep downhill as your BQ attempt.

Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.