Adelaide Marathon Festival
Adelaide, Australia · Monday 3 May 2027
The Adelaide Marathon Festival takes place in Adelaide, South Australia, on Sunday, 3 May 2026. As South Australia's biggest running celebration, the event draws over 3,000 participants across multiple distances and brings together the local running community for a day of racing and camaraderie. The city and its surroundings provide the backdrop for this AIMS-certified course, offering runners a chance to experience Adelaide while pursuing their fitness goals, whether they're chasing personal records or qualifying times. The marathon course is a trail-based route with genuine hilliness throughout, featuring consistent elevation changes that will test your legs and lungs across the full 42.2 kilometres. Expect undulating terrain rather than a flat, fast affair, with the course climbing and descending as it winds through the landscape. The elevation ranges modestly across the route, but the cumulative vertical gain means this is not a course to approach lightly if you're targeting a quick time. Trail running conditions and the hilly character make this a race that demands respect for its terrain and rewards runners who've trained on similar ground.
Difficulty Calculator
h
:m
:s
Adjusted Time
4:18:43
Time difference: +18.7 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain503m
Elevation High55m
Elevation Low17m
Weather Forecast
High17°C
Low13°C
Chance of Rain100%
How hard is Adelaide Marathon Festival?
Very Difficultharder than 77% of marathons
Flattest / easiestHardest
On our difficulty model, Adelaide Marathon Festival plays about 18 minutes slower than an average road marathon for a 3:30 runner. It ranks #269 hardest of 1150 marathons we analyse, and #6 of 27 in Australia. Use the calculator above to see the exact adjusted time for your own goal pace.
What will you run at Adelaide Marathon Festival?
Estimated finish times on this course versus the same effort on an average road marathon, based on its elevation, surface, and expected race-day temperature.
| Average-course time | On Adelaide Marathon Festival | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00:00 | 3:08:07 | +08:07 |
| 3:30:00 | 3:43:08 | +13:08 |
| 4:00:00 | 4:18:43 | +18:43 |
| 4:30:00 | 4:54:48 | +24:48 |
| 5:00:00 | 5:31:22 | +31:22 |
| 5:30:00 | 6:08:23 | +38:23 |
| 6:00:00 | 6:45:50 | +45:50 |
Use the calculator above for your exact goal time. Want a prediction from your own training? Try the marathon time predictor.
Adelaide Marathon Festival 2027 Course Analysis
Adelaide Marathon Festival is a full marathon held in Adelaide, Australia. It is scheduled for Monday 3 May 2027. The course is run on road surface with 503m of total climbing, with its high point near 55m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Adelaide Marathon Festival website.
Elevation Profile
This is a hilly course with 503m of total climbing, rising to around 55m above sea level. It pays to train on hills and to pace the climbs conservatively.
Expected Race Day Weather
Based on historical weather data for May, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Moderate temperatures between 13°C and 17°C are expected. While comfortable for most runners, those targeting fast times should pay attention to hydration, as these temperatures can impact performance on race day. There is a high chance of rain (100%). Runners should prepare for wet conditions, including appropriate footwear and clothing choices.
Surface Type: Road
Adelaide Marathon Festival is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for racing. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for a personal best.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Adelaide Marathon Festival against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
Marathons of similar difficulty
If Adelaide Marathon Festival fits your goal, these courses play out about the same on our difficulty model.
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