Monument Marathon

The average course elevation is approximately 4,000 feet. All four courses are a beautiful, challenging mix of paved roads and wide dirt trails.  The full marathon begins with a significant downhill grade for nearly five miles and flattens until it approaches mile 13, near where the half marathon begins.  At this point, the course gains elevation through Mitchell Pass and around Scotts Bluff National Monument, where the pioneers crossed on the Oregon Trail.  After some rolling hills, the remainder of the course is primarily flat, with a few gradual inclines and declines as it traverses a wide dirt track through the visually stunning Scotts Bluff National Monument “badlands” and finally circles back through town to the finish. For more information and distance specific elevation, see our course descriptions and maps here.