Evaluating Marathon Difficulty: Boston Vs. Sioux Falls

No one is ever going to suggest that running a marathon is easy. In fact, when you talk to someone who has successfully tackled the 26-mile challenge, they'll tell you how much time, energy, and sacrifice went into making that happen.

But it might surprise you to learn that some marathons are 'easier' (relative term) than others.

In fact, the granddaddy of them all, the Boston Marathon, which was held for the 130th time this week, is actually considered to be the second-easiest of the most popular road races in America.

How is that possible?

Well, Action Network analyzed 25 major races using two measurable factors: course difficulty and real-world finish results. They examined elevation gain, slope, and estimated pace impact, then paired that with historical finish-time averages and variability.

With an climb of just 166 meters (545 feet) over the 26-mile course and an average finish time of just under three hours and 40 minutes, Boston trails only the California International Marathon in Sacramento as the most user-friendly marathon among major events..

READ MORE: Clear Out Your Yard At Sioux Falls' Drop-off Spots

But Boston is still the number one bucket list race for marathoners everywhere and runners travel all over the world in hopes of running a time fast enough to qualify for annual April classic.

For the past 14 years that includes the Sioux Falls Marathon.

Since 2012, runners have some to South Dakota's largest city to pound the pavement here as a stepping stone to Boston.

The Sioux Falls event has been held 11 times since 2012, missing 2020 and 2021 because of COVID, and 2024 because of excessive heat.

So when the event returns in September, how will it compare the other nation's top races?

Sioux Falls' ascent of 183 meters (600 feet) would be the fifth largest among the big boys. The two biggest inclines on the course are between miles 2-3 (Terrace Park to Downtown) and miles 9-13 (Pasley Park to Lewis Park).

As for finish times, the 12-year average for Sioux Falls is four hours and 26 minutes, which would be the ninth fastest among the top 25 marathons.

Easiest U.S. Marathons

1. California International Marathon (Sacramento, CA)
   Total Ascent: 23 meters
   Average Finish Time: 3:51:36
2. Boston Marathon (Boston, MA)
   Total Ascent: 166 meters
   Average Finish Time: 3:38:07
3. Houston Marathon (Houston, TX)
   Total Ascent: 40 meters
   Average Finish Time: 4:12:50
4. Surf City Marathon (Huntington Beach, CA)
   Total Ascent: 115 meters
   Average Finish Time: 4:31:01
5. Detroit Free Press Marathon (Detroit, MI)
   Total Ascent: 25 meters
   Average Finish Time: 4:32:12

Hardest U.S. Marathons

1. Honolulu Marathon (Honolulu, HI)
   Total Ascent: 85 meters
   Average Finish Time: 6:17:36
2. Kauai Marathon (Kauai, HI)
   Total Ascent: 203 meters
   Average Finish Time: 4:59:48
3. Los Angeles Marathon (Los Angeles, CA)
   Total Ascent: 191 meters
   Average Finish Time: 5:18:31
4. San Francisco Marathon (San Francisco, CA)
   Total Ascent: 353 meters
   Maui Oceanfront Marathon (Wailea, HI)
5. Total Ascent: 149 meters
   Average Finish Time: 4:59:39

Get our free mobile app