Madison Marathon

Madison Marathon 2026 Course Analysis

Madison Marathon is a full marathon held in Madison, United States of America, scheduled for Sunday 15 November 2026. The course is run on trail surface with 259m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 286m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Madison Marathon website.

Elevation Profile

With 259m of elevation gain, this is a moderately undulating course. The route ranges from 258m to 286m above sea level (28m total range). While not completely flat, the elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't significantly impact pacing strategy.

Expected Race Day Weather

Based on historical weather data for November, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Cold conditions are expected, with temperatures between -3°C and 0°C. While cold weather reduces overheating risk, runners should dress in layers and be prepared for potential wind chill. There is a low chance of rain (13%), so dry conditions are likely.

Surface Type: Trail

Madison Marathon is a trail race, meaning the course includes unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, or forest paths. Trail surfaces are inherently slower than road courses due to uneven footing, technical sections, and often steeper gradients. Trail-specific shoes with good grip are recommended, and runners should expect a finish time 10-20% slower than their equivalent road marathon time.

How Difficult Is Madison Marathon?

Our difficulty rating for Madison Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.

Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Madison Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.