
Stovepipe Wells, United States of America · Saturday 7 February 2026
Runners in this marathon encounter a distinctive and challenging environment characterized by vast, desolate desert terrain and elevations entirely below sea level, with the starting line at Furnace Creek Ranch sitting near 282 feet beneath the ocean's surface the lowest spot in the Western Hemisphere. The marathon follows an out-and-back configuration along a 6.55-mile stretch of Highway 190, resulting in a road course that spans mostly flat ground with gently rolling hills that comprise less t
Adjusted Time
3:58:35
Time difference: -1.4 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Death Valley Marathon is a full marathon held in Stovepipe Wells, United States of America, scheduled for Saturday 7 February 2026. The course is run on road surface with 170m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 0m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Death Valley Marathon website.
With 170m of elevation gain, this is a moderately undulating course. The route ranges from 0m to 0m above sea level (0m total range). While not completely flat, the elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't significantly impact pacing strategy.
Based on historical weather data for February, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Moderate temperatures between 10°C and 21°C are expected. While comfortable for most runners, those targeting fast times should pay attention to hydration, as these temperatures can impact performance over the full distance. There is a low chance of rain (0%), so dry conditions are likely.
Death Valley Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for marathon running. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for runners targeting a personal best time.
Our difficulty rating for Death Valley 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 Death Valley Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
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