Quad Cities Marathon

Quad Cities Marathon 2026 Course Analysis

Quad Cities Marathon is a full marathon held in Moline, United States of America, scheduled for Sunday 27 September 2026. The course is run on trail surface with 156m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 210m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Quad Cities Marathon website.

Elevation Profile

With 156m of elevation gain, this is a moderately undulating course. The route ranges from 169m to 210m above sea level (41m 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 September, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Hot conditions are expected, with temperatures between 14°C and 30°C. Heat is one of the biggest performance factors in marathon running — research shows that for every degree above 15°C, marathon times slow by approximately 1-2%. Extra hydration and a conservative start are strongly recommended. There is a low chance of rain (0%), so dry conditions are likely.

Surface Type: Trail

Quad Cities 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 Quad Cities Marathon?

Our difficulty rating for Quad Cities 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 Quad Cities Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.