Marathons With the Most Elevation Gain: Top Races Ranked

A marathon with the most elevation gain is a 26.2-mile race featuring a cumulative ascent of over 5,000 feet, often exceeding 10,000 feet in extreme mountain events. The Pikes Peak Marathon in Colorado holds the record for the highest elevation gain among US marathons, with 7,815 feet of ascent. Internationally, the Everest Marathon has extreme elevation gain but is not a standard road marathon. Elevation gain is measured as total feet climbed during the race, not net elevation change.

What Is a Marathon With Most Elevation Gain?

A marathon with the most elevation gain is a 26.2-mile race where the total cumulative ascent—the sum of every uphill foot climbed—exceeds 5,000 feet, with extreme courses reaching 10,000 feet or more. These races are typically held in mountainous terrain and are classified as trail or mountain marathons rather than standard road events. The Pikes Peak Marathon in Colorado, with 7,815 feet of gain, is the most cited example in the US. According to the American Trail Running Association’s 2025 report, courses with over 5,000 feet of gain are considered “extreme” and require specialized training.

How Is Elevation Gain Measured in Marathons?

Elevation gain is measured as the total cumulative ascent over the entire 26.2-mile course, calculated using GPS data or topographic maps. This differs from net elevation change, which only measures the difference between start and finish. For example, the Boston Marathon has a net downhill of 459 feet but a cumulative gain of approximately 800 feet due to rolling hills. According to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) 2024 course measurement guidelines, official elevation gain is recorded using barometric altimeters calibrated to sea level. The Pikes Peak Marathon’s 7,815 feet of gain is measured from the Manitou Springs start at 6,300 feet to the summit at 14,115 feet, with additional rolling terrain.

Which Marathon Has the Most Elevation Gain in the US?

The Pikes Peak Marathon in Manitou Springs, Colorado, holds the US record for the most elevation gain, with 7,815 feet of cumulative ascent. This race, established in 1956, runs from the town of Manitou Springs to the summit of Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet. According to the Pikes Peak Marathon organization’s 2025 course data, the gain is distributed across 13 miles of climbing and 13 miles of descent. The Mount Marathon Race in Seward, Alaska, has 3,022 feet of gain over 3.1 miles but is not a full marathon distance. The Big Sur Marathon in California has 2,200 feet of gain, making it the hilliest road marathon in the US, according to the Big Sur Marathon Foundation’s 2024 elevation profile.

What Are the Top Marathons for Elevation Gain Worldwide?

Marathon Name	Location	Elevation Gain (feet)	Course Type	Year Established
Pikes Peak Marathon	Colorado, USA	7,815	Trail/mountain	1956
Everest Marathon	Nepal	5,000+ (net downhill)	Trail/high altitude	1987
Jungfrau Marathon	Switzerland	6,200	Trail/mountain	1993
Mount Marathon Race	Alaska, USA	3,022 (3.1 miles)	Trail/mountain	1909
Big Sur Marathon	California, USA	2,200	Road	1986
St. George Marathon	Utah, USA	2,400	Road (net downhill)	1977
Haria Extreme Marathon	Lanzarote, Spain	4,500	Trail	2012

The Everest Marathon, starting at 17,000 feet, has extreme altitude but a net downhill course with approximately 5,000 feet of gain. According to the Jungfrau Marathon organization’s 2025 race report, the Swiss course has 6,200 feet of gain over 26.2 miles. The Haria Extreme Marathon in Lanzarote has 4,500 feet of gain on volcanic terrain, as documented by the Spanish Athletics Federation’s 2024 course certification.

How Does Elevation Gain Affect Marathon Performance?

Elevation gain significantly slows pace, with runners adding 30 seconds to 3 minutes per mile for every 1,000 feet of climb, depending on fitness and terrain. According to a 2025 study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, runners on courses with 5,000+ feet of gain experience a 15-25% increase in finishing time compared to flat courses. The study, which analyzed 10,000 race results from 2020-2024, found that heart rate increases by 10-15 beats per minute on steep grades. Training on hills is essential, with the American College of Sports Medicine’s 2024 guidelines recommending 8-12 weeks of hill-specific training for extreme elevation gain races.

What Training Is Required for High-Elevation-Gain Marathons?

Training for marathons with over 5,000 feet of elevation gain requires specific hill work, strength training, and altitude adaptation. According to the Road Runners Club of America’s 2025 training guide, runners should incorporate weekly hill repeats of 400-800 meters at 8-12% grade, combined with long runs on terrain matching the race course. Altitude training is critical for races above 10,000 feet, with the University of Utah’s 2024 altitude physiology research showing that 2-3 weeks of pre-race acclimatization reduces performance decline by 10-15%. Strength training focusing on quadriceps, glutes, and calves is recommended by the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s 2024 position stand, with 2-3 sessions per week.

What Are the Risks of High-Elevation-Gain Marathons?

High-elevation-gain marathons carry increased risks of altitude sickness, dehydration, and injury. According to the Wilderness Medical Society’s 2025 clinical practice guidelines, acute mountain sickness (AMS) affects 25-40% of runners above 10,000 feet, with symptoms including headache, nausea, and dizziness. The American College of Emergency Physicians’ 2024 report on trail running injuries found that downhill running on steep grades increases knee and ankle injury risk by 30-40% compared to flat courses. Dehydration risk is higher due to increased respiratory water loss at altitude, with the International Society of Sports Nutrition’s 2024 hydration guidelines recommending 500-750 ml of fluid per hour above 8,000 feet.

How Do High-Elevation-Gain Marathons Compare to Flat Courses?

Factor	High-Elevation-Gain Marathon	Flat Road Marathon
Typical elevation gain	5,000-8,000+ feet	0-500 feet
Average finishing time	5-7 hours	3-5 hours
Injury rate	30-40% higher (downhill)	Baseline
Altitude sickness risk	25-40% above 10,000 feet	Negligible
Training time required	16-20 weeks	12-16 weeks
Caloric expenditure	3,500-4,500 calories	2,500-3,000 calories
Terrain type	Trail, rock, dirt	Paved road

According to the American Council on Exercise’s 2025 energy expenditure study, runners on high-elevation-gain courses burn 40-50% more calories than on flat courses. The International Trail Running Association’s 2024 race statistics show that average finishing times for extreme elevation gain marathons are 60-80% longer than flat road marathons.

What Is the Future of High-Elevation-Gain Marathons?

Interest in high-elevation-gain marathons is growing, with registration for the Pikes Peak Marathon increasing by 35% from 2020 to 2025, according to the race organization’s 2025 annual report. The World Athletics 2024 trail running classification system now recognizes courses with over 5,000 feet of gain as a distinct category. New races are emerging, including the Teton Marathon in Wyoming with 4,800 feet of gain, established in 2023. According to the Running USA 2025 industry report, trail and mountain marathon participation has grown 22% annually since 2020, driven by runners seeking greater challenges and scenic experiences.