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Workin
What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 5:34AM Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I'm sure its a dead beat topic, but I was just wondering. Berlin has the world record? I think and I hear Chicago and Amsterdam are similar? Let me know, I'm just curious as to what course averages the fastest times.
Snatch
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 5:42AM - in reply to Workin Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
http://www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au/

This is the flatest I've run.
Need a cool day which is a big factor.
SpaceLord
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 5:58AM - in reply to Workin Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Columbus is super-flat, but I think Chicago has it beat. Only problem with Chicago is the huge crowd, so need a competitive or preferred start.
Atlas Yawned
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 6:56AM - in reply to Workin Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I've run 4 marathons which are considered fast: Paris, Chicago, Berlin, and CIM.

Berlin is the fastest by far. Not only does it have no perceptible inclines whatsoever, it also barely has a 90-degree turn until the last few miles when the field is so strung out that they won't slow you down.

Chicago has too many sharp turns on the downtown part early on when it's still crowded. Also, the many stretches of concrete aren't as forgiving as Berlin's smooth blacktop. Chicago in October also tends to be warmer than Berlin in September.

Paris has a little more variation than the other two, but nothing that can really slow you down. Plus, it's been trading the record back and forth with Berlin for most sub-3 finishers so you've got a good fast field to pull you along. If you're looking for a fast spring marathon, it's a good one.

CIM isn't flat, but very fast. If you could take the Boston course's overall elevation drop and rearrange it to suit you perfectly this would be it. Rolling hills which get smaller and smaller and the last 5 miles are completely flat. Wind can be a factor as it's point to point running mostly west.

Apart from these, check out Rotterdam which should be faster than Amsterdam. And what about London? That's a WR course too.
history1
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 7:00AM - in reply to Atlas Yawned Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
what about Austin?
Atlas Yawned
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 7:16AM - in reply to history1 Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Don't know, I'd never go to Texas.
tri again
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 7:20AM - in reply to Atlas Yawned Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
jersey shore marathon - no elevation changes (flat as a pancake) start to finish
whole course at sea level = rich air
?
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 7:23AM - in reply to Workin Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
In the US or worldwide? Rotterdam is fairly flat. The easiest US course I can think of is in Massachusetts up in Tyngsboro/Lowell, Chicago is do-able as well.

Baystate maybe, is the name of the Mass race? It is a two-loop marathon, you see the same scenery twice.
Tomster
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 7:44AM - in reply to ? Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
London is the fastest big city marathon of the big 4. No repetitive turns or wind issues, like Chicago. Not a single incline. The only issues come with entering from the US and starting behind local celebs. And, of course, the jetlag thing.
steamtown
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 7:49AM - in reply to Tomster Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
the steamtown marathon is fast there is a 1000 feet drop in elevation over the entire 26.2. check it out.
http://www.steamtownmarathon.com/
lyle menendez
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 7:52AM - in reply to tri again Reply | Return to Index | Report Post

tri again wrote:

jersey shore marathon - no elevation changes (flat as a pancake) start to finish
whole course at sea level = rich air



flat, yes. however, since it is out and back, you can get a wind that will make half the race horrible.

nonetheless, if there is good weather, its one of the fastest there is.
Bumrunner
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 8:09AM - in reply to lyle menendez Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
The Jersey marathon is running a different route this year according to the web site. It's double loop course. Probably still very flat.
pablo
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 8:45AM - in reply to Bumrunner Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
The Disney marathon is pretty fast and flat as a board. However, the course is pretty boring because other than the theme parks (which don't make up much of the course) you are on the highways, and you even get some "hills" by running on the on/off ramps. Even though it is a large race the majority of the people are 3:30+, so there aren't very large crowds (relatively speaking) in the sub 2:50 range.
.......
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 8:49AM - in reply to pablo Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
St. George has a huge drop (2600+):

http://stgeorgemarathon.com/images/elevationmaplarge.gif

Have heard it's not as easy as it looks though.
.......
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 8:50AM - in reply to ....... Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Should have said 2500+.
ultrunr
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 9:03AM - in reply to Workin Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
tucson, chicago, rotterdam, berlin, duke city(but its at 5,000ft).
Shiner
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 11:49AM - in reply to ultrunr Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Austin has fastest course in the world (Association of Road Race Statisticians, 2005. Average RaceTime Bias-Marathons).

Go to www.mattoleriver.com/TB_Mara.htm to see the statistic.

Austin has a 433 ft. net drop with only 24 turns and long straight-aways. The weather is generally mild (60F high-45F low averages).
Shiner
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 11:57AM - in reply to Shiner Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
oops. Wrong website. Check www.arrs.net/TB_Mara.htm. to see the statistic under "Marathon Comparisons". Go to Average Race Time Bias.

It's a more objective way to compare race courses after you control for prize money and appearance fees.
HEPSFAN
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 12:06PM - in reply to Shiner Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
what does this race time bias mean?

If I as a woman ran 3:26 at Honolulu what does that mean compared to NYC?
Shiner
RE: What's the FLATTEST/FASTEST certified Marathon Course? 10/28/2005 12:17PM - in reply to HEPSFAN Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
The negative values indicate that the race produces a faster than expected time, on average.

For women, you would presumably run almost a minute faster on this course than any other course in the USA, and only 22 seconds slower than you would at Berlin.
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