The Moscow Half Marathon will start on April 27, 2025, at 9:00 AM local time. It is the largest half marathon in Russia, and definitely the most spectacular one. You will have an unique opportunity to enjoy a picturesque route and admire the iconic views of Moscow.
We are really excited about the new Moscow Half Marathon course, as introduced by the Running Community. You definitely won’t get bored! The race starts near Moscow State University, offers stunning views, a variety of streets, turns, and loops—all of which will bring excitement and emotions. But the most striking feature that will leave a mark on your running experience is the course’s elevation profile.
Course Profile
Technically speaking, the Moscow Half Marathon course runs downhill. The race starts in front of the main building of Moscow State University at an elevation of 192 meters* and finishes at Luzhniki Stadium, which is at 124 meters. That’s a 68-meter drop. Seems like a perfect setup for record-breaking times, right? Well, not quite! The trick is that runners will need to gain about 74 meters along the way—most of it within the first 8 km.
How Does That Work?
Let’s break down the numbers:
- The starting point, near the observation deck in front of Moscow State University’s main building, is at 192 meters above sea level.
- Right after the start, runners take a left turn and go downhill on Kosygina Street to the first turnaround at the 2 km mark, located at 156 meters. This section will be fast, but be careful not to go too hard too soon—because after the turnaround, the climb begins!
- After the turnaround, there’s a long uphill stretch back along Kosygina to the observation deck, gaining 34 meters over 2 km.
- After passing the observation deck, the course continues downhill on Kosygina to the second turnaround near Leninsky Prospekt at around the 6.2 km mark. Here, you’ll have a brief moment to catch your breath—but don’t slow down too much because another climb is coming.
- After the second turnaround, runners head back uphill on Kosygina to the exit toward Vernadsky Prospekt, gaining another 29 meters over 1.5 km. This climb will be noticeably tougher than the first one, so be prepared both mentally and physically.
- Around the 8 km mark, the course reaches Vernadsky Prospekt and turns toward the city center. From this point on, it’s mostly downhill. Between kilometers 8 and 11, there’s a long descent from Vernadsky Prospekt, across the Metro Bridge, and down to Frunzenskaya Embankment.
- After the 11 km mark, the course flattens out, with a slight incline from Frunzenskaya Embankment to Ostozhenka near Krymsky Bridge (at around 13.7 km from the start).
Yes, this course is anything but monotonous. The first half plays a crucial role—how well you manage the ups and downs will determine how strong you feel in the second half and what result you achieve. It’s a challenging yet fast course—if you’re prepared.
Why This Course Can Still Be Fast
Despite the elevation challenges, the course offers good opportunities for fast times due to three key factors:
- The first 2 km are downhill, allowing you to ease into your target pace. If you don’t overdo it early, the following climbs will be manageable.
- A long downhill stretch from km 8 to 11, from Vernadsky Prospekt to Frunzenskaya Embankment, gives you a chance to recover while maintaining a high pace.
- Variety and frequent changes in scenery help prevent the mental fatigue that comes from long, monotonous straightaways—even if you’re running solo.
Training Focus
Hill running (sprints and intervals) is one of the most effective workouts for building muscle strength and endurance. Your OMY! Sports training plan will include such sessions—don’t skip them! They will help you handle the elevation profile of the course. No hills available for training? Check out our recommendations on suitable alternatives.
Continuous running on rolling hills is also beneficial as it helps your body adapt to transitions between climbs and descents. In Moscow, you can find good hills in Krylatskoye, Neskuchny Garden, or on the Lenin Hills. If possible, try running on Kosygina Street to familiarize yourself with the course terrain in advance.
How to Pace Yourself?
Every Premium OMY! Sports user will receive a personalized race strategy before the start. This will be especially useful for tackling the new Moscow Half Marathon course.
You are welcome the the new Moscow Half!
The OMY! Sports Team