39 percent
of finishes in an average year had a sustained slowdown
Edition by edition, between 26% (2024) and 52% (2017).
Madrid’s last stretch runs 6% slower than on the typical course.
The median finish ranged from 3:48 in 2022 to 4:09 in 2017 and 2018.
The biggest climb is 0–5K: 275 ft.
- Whole route
- Climbs 945 ft, descends 1,026 ft
Fewer early drifters here: 4%, against 14% elsewhere.
- Metronome21%
- Gentle fader37%
- Late fader26%
- Early drifter4%
- Cliff7%
- Fast-start fader6%
Paced most like Madrid: Washington, Rotterdam and Oslo.
Madrid’s 39%: higher than 17 of 22 other courses with three or more editions.
Of Madrid finishes on 4:00 pace through 20K, 8% made 4:00, against 14% elsewhere.
At 59°F in 2026, 43% had a sustained slowdown. At 39°F in 2013, 29%.
All numbers5 tables
| Finishes | 96,835 |
|---|---|
| Editions | 12 |
| Median finish, average edition | 3:59:50 |
| Sustained slowdown, average edition | 38.5% |
| Second 20K more than 10% slower | 36.9% |
| Median time given back after 20K | +12:10 |
| Climb, whole route | 945 ft |
| Year | Race date | Finishes | Median finish | Sustained slowdown | At the start | Dew point | Humidity | Wind | Start time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Apr 28 | 7,572 | 3:54:04 | 29.1% | 39°F | 25°F | 57% | 11.6 mph | 09:00 |
| 2014 | Apr 27 | 5,873 | 3:56:09 | 42.5% | 47°F | 35°F | 62% | 5.6 mph | 09:00 |
| 2015 | Apr 26 | 11,517 | 4:02:25 | 29.3% | 52°F | 50°F | 94% | 7.7 mph | 09:00 |
| 2016 | Apr 24 | 9,757 | 4:05:09 | 45.4% | 43°F | 41°F | 90% | 4.3 mph | 09:00 |
| 2017 | Apr 23 | 9,781 | 4:09:51 | 52.3% | 52°F | 29°F | 41% | 2.0 mph | 09:00 |
| 2018 | Apr 22 | 8,310 | 4:09:36 | 43.8% | 54°F | 46°F | 74% | 7.6 mph | 09:00 |
| 2019 | Apr 27 | 7,677 | 3:58:40 | 38.9% | 46°F | 37°F | 69% | 4.4 mph | 09:00 |
| 2021 | Sep 26 | 2,978 | 3:57:08 | 41.3% | 55°F | 54°F | 98% | 3.2 mph | 09:00 |
| 2022 | Apr 24 | 4,152 | 3:48:06 | 35.0% | 44°F | 38°F | 78% | 4.5 mph | 09:00 |
| 2024 | Apr 28 | 8,495 | 3:54:49 | 26.4% | 44°F | 41°F | 88% | 2.1 mph | 09:00 |
| 2025 | Apr 27 | 9,910 | 3:58:26 | 34.6% | 49°F | 38°F | 68% | 4.7 mph | 09:00 |
| 2026 | Apr 26 | 10,813 | 4:03:43 | 43.3% | 59°F | 52°F | 77% | 4.4 mph | 09:00 |
| Section | Climb | Descent | Net | Pace vs. avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–5K | 275 ft | 38 ft | +235 ft | −3.5% |
| 5–10K | 20 ft | 162 ft | −147 ft | −7.5% |
| 10–15K | 115 ft | 187 ft | −72 ft | −5.5% |
| 15–20K | 66 ft | 147 ft | −82 ft | −3.1% |
| 20–25K | 91 ft | 323 ft | −229 ft | −4.8% |
| 25–30K | 120 ft | 0 ft | +121 ft | +2.7% |
| 30–35K | 21 ft | 156 ft | −136 ft | +3.0% |
| 35–40K | 149 ft | 10 ft | +134 ft | +11.7% |
| 40K–finish | 87 ft | 4 ft | +83 ft | +10.4% |
| Goal | Finishes | Made the goal | Sustained slowdown | Given back after 20K | Median finish | 10th–90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00 | 1,633 | 9.8% | 26.5% | +7:52 | 3:08:15 | 3:00:05–3:21:30 |
| 3:30 | 4,745 | 7.8% | 32.9% | +10:13 | 3:40:44 | 3:30:45–3:58:10 |
| 4:00 | 4,612 | 8.2% | 44.2% | +15:00 | 4:15:06 | 4:01:01–4:38:47 |
| 4:30 | 2,003 | 6.5% | 50.3% | +21:18 | 4:50:38 | 4:33:07–5:15:19 |
| 5:00 | 676 | 7.0% | 55.2% | +26:52 | 5:24:17 | 5:02:16–5:46:34 |
| Pacing type | Madrid | Other courses |
|---|---|---|
| Metronome | 21% | 28% |
| Gentle fader | 37% | 30% |
| Late fader | 26% | 16% |
| Early drifter | 4% | 14% |
| Cliff | 7% | 3% |
| Fast-start fader | 6% | 8% |