Marathon Focus

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.

44 marathons have a net-downhill profile, sorted by steepest descent first. Courses like Boston Marathon (140m net drop) headline the list.

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

Sacramento Marathon
Sacramento, California, United 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

REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon

The REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon is a net-downhill speed course drawing approximately 2,500 finishers each September through Utah's Wasatch Mountains. Starting at Brighton Ski Resort (2,590 m) and descending Big Cottonwood Canyon to Salt Lake City, the course drops roughly 1,200 m on scenic mountain highway. September's crisp alpine morning and the fast descent make it one of America's most popular personal-best marathons.

Next race: Saturday, 19 September 2026

REVEL Big Bear Marathon
Redlands, California, United States

REVEL Big Bear Marathon

The REVEL Big Bear Marathon draws approximately 1,837 finishers each November on a point-to-point road in Redlands, United States. Runners chase PRs and Boston qualifiers on one of Southern California's premier net-downhill marathon courses. The 2023 edition drew 1,837 marathon finishers; the race was cancelled in 2024 and 2025. The course drops through mountain highways and foothill roads with pine forests and Inland Empire views on the descent. The route is net downhill overall.

Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026

Mountains 2 Beach Marathon
Ventura, California, United States

Mountains 2 Beach Marathon

The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon draws approximately 1,750 finishers each April on a point-to-point road in Ventura, United States. Southern California's premier spring Boston qualifier — a distinct April event from the winter Ventura Marathon, with a spectator-friendly Ojai loop and roughly 700 feet of net descent. The April point-to-point route loops East Ojai at the start, passes Meiners Oaks countryside, the Ventura River basin, the paved Ventura River bike path, downtown Ventura, and a final mile along the Pacific. It is a separate spring race from the February Ventura Marathon (https://www.marathonfocus.com/marathons/ventura-marathon), which uses a shorter Ojai start and the Ojai–Ventura bike path without the opening loop. The route is net downhill overall.

Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027

REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon

The REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon draws approximately 1,707 finishers each April on a point-to-point road in Las Vegas, United States. It is one of the fastest Boston-qualifier courses in the West thanks to a sustained net descent of roughly 5,000 feet. The net-downhill course drops from Mt. Charleston through mountain roads with sweeping views before descending toward the Las Vegas basin. The route is net downhill overall.

Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027

Ventura Marathon
Ventura, California, United States

Ventura Marathon

The Ventura Marathon draws approximately 1,500 finishers each February on a point-to-point coastal road in Ventura, United States. It targets winter Boston qualifying as a separate February event from Mountains 2 Beach, with a faster-feeling ~900-foot descent and no opening Ojai loop. The February course drops about 900 feet from Ojai through citrus groves and the Ojai–Ventura bike path to a downtown festival finish. It is a different winter race from the April Mountains 2 Beach Marathon (https://www.marathonfocus.com/marathons/mountains-2-beach-marathon), which adds a six-mile East Ojai loop and typically sells out months earlier. The route is net downhill overall.

Next race: Sunday, 7 February 2027

London Marathon
London, England, United KingdomWorld Marathon Major

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: Sunday, 25 April 2027

Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.