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.
- 19.7Brutal
Big Sur International Marathon
Big Sur, US · Apr · 42 km · 750 m gain
- 27.4Very hard
Maratón de la Ciudad de México
Mexico City, MX · Aug · 42 km · 50 m gain
- 36.9Hard
The San Francisco Marathon
San Francisco, US · Jul · 42 km · 329 m gain
- 46.8Hard
Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon
Singapore, SG · Dec · 42 km · 91 m gain
- 56.5Hard
BMO Vancouver Marathon
Vancouver, CA · May · 42 km · 314 m gain
- 66.2Hard
Athens Authentic Marathon
Athens, GR · Nov · 42 km · 276 m gain
- 76.1Hard
EDP Lisbon Marathon
Lisbon, PT · Oct · 42 km · 177 m gain
- 86.0Hard
Tata Mumbai Marathon
Mumbai, IN · Jan · 42 km · 95 m gain
- 95.6Hard
Movistar Madrid Maratón
Madrid, ES · Apr · 42 km · 194 m gain
- 105.6Hard
Philadelphia Marathon
Philadelphia, US · Nov · 42 km · 229 m gain
- 115.6Hard
TCS Sydney Marathon
Sydney, AU · Aug · 42 km · 157 m gain
- 125.2Hard
Auckland Marathon
Auckland, NZ · Nov · 42 km · 88 m gain
- 135.2Hard
Cape Town Marathon
Cape Town, ZA · Oct · 42 km · 73 m gain
- 145.2Hard
McCourt Foundation LA Marathon
Los Angeles, US · Mar · 42 km · 101 m gain
- 155.2Hard
Marine Corps Marathon
Arlington, VA, US · Oct · 42 km · 124 m gain
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