Difficulty ranking
The hardest marathons in the world
Ranked by a deterministic 0–10 difficulty score built from each course's climbing, quad-pounding descent, altitude and typical race-day heat. Tap any race for the full course breakdown and a personalised pacing plan.
- 17.4Very hard
Maratón de la Ciudad de México
Mexico City, MX · Aug · 42 km · 50 m gain
- 26.9Hard
The San Francisco Marathon
San Francisco, US · Jul · 42 km · 329 m gain
- 36.8Hard
Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon
Singapore, SG · Dec · 42 km · 91 m gain
- 46.2Hard
Athens Authentic Marathon
Athens, GR · Nov · 42 km · 276 m gain
- 56.0Hard
Tata Mumbai Marathon
Mumbai, IN · Jan · 42 km · 95 m gain
- 65.6Hard
Movistar Madrid Maratón
Madrid, ES · Apr · 42 km · 194 m gain
- 75.6Hard
TCS Sydney Marathon
Sydney, AU · Aug · 42 km · 157 m gain
- 85.2Hard
Auckland Marathon
Auckland, NZ · Nov · 42 km · 88 m gain
- 95.2Hard
Cape Town Marathon
Cape Town, ZA · Oct · 42 km · 73 m gain
- 105.2Hard
McCourt Foundation LA Marathon
Los Angeles, US · Mar · 42 km · 101 m gain
- 115.2Hard
Marine Corps Marathon
Arlington, VA, US · Oct · 42 km · 124 m gain
- 125.1Hard
ASICS Stockholm Marathon
Stockholm, SE · Jun · 42 km · 90 m gain
- 135.0Hard
Boston Marathon
Boston, US · Apr · 42 km · 98 m gain
- 145.0Hard
KBC Dublin Marathon
Dublin, IE · Oct · 42 km · 105 m gain
- 154.9Moderate
Marathon du Lac d’Annecy
Annecy, FR · Apr · 42 km · 126 m gain
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