*CHANGES FOR 2008 ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW

Entry Fees

Entry fees are due at the time the application is submitted.  Payment is made using PayPal services during the application process.
   Junior Race   $20 ($5 refundable if unsuccessful in lottery) 
   Senior Race  $45 ($10 refundable if unsuccessful in lottery)

*Entry fees are waived for past champions of the senior races.

ELIGIBILITY

Junior race entrants must be at least 7 years old and under 18 on July 4^th.  Senior race entrants must be at least 18 on July 4^th.  If any entrant falsifies any information on the application form, such as age or race category (junior or senior) the entrant will be subject to disqualification.  Women may not run in the men's race; men may not run in the women's race.

RUNNER SELECTION

All applicants selected for the race are responsible for reviewing and adhering to the race rules.

Because of the environmental impact that would result from uncontrolled use and the risk of injury from crowding on the steep and narrow trails, the number of runners is restricted to 350 men, 350 women, and 200 juniors.  Available slots for 2008 are first filled by priority applicants as follows:

• 2007 Finishers who were not running under a special invitation
• Veteran racers (have finished 10 non-consecutive senior races)
• 2007 registered runners with approved waiver status
• Previous winners of men's or women's race.
• 2008 special invitations.

Lottery
First-timer (rookie) and non-priority applicants for all divisions (junior and senior) are allocated the remaining slots through a lottery process.  The lottery will take place at the Seward Chamber of Commerce during the first full week of April and results will be posted on this web site April 18th.  The Chamber can not predict your chances of success as the odds change each year based on the total number of applications received. 

Lottery Probability

Auction and Raffle
Due to popular demand, additional race slots are offered through auction and raffle activities.  Individuals who receive a slot through the auction, raffle, or junior drawing are eligible for priority status provided they complete their race. The activities take place at 7 pm on July 3^rd, prior to the mandatory safety meeting at Seward High School, 2001 Swetmann Ave.  The auction and raffle are open to all individuals; those applicants not selected in the lottery are eligible to participate as well as individuals that did not previously apply.  Individuals participating in the auction and raffle must be present and can not designate another individual to participate in their stead.  Payment is required immediately and may be made by cash or credit card.

10 race slots are auctioned off for each of the senior races.  Competition is fierce, yet fun, with auction bids beginning at $75 and going as high as $1,175 for a single race slot. 

Prior to the auction, one additional senior race slot is drawn raffle-style for the senior race.  Tickets for the raffle may be purchased for $5 each from the Seward Chamber of Commerce or at the auction site prior to the event.  There is no limit on the number of tickets an individual may purchase. 

10 junior names are drawn at random for the junior race.  Juniors must be present and sign up with the drawing coordinator prior to 7 PM.  If selected, the junior must pay the $20 entry fee.  

Special Invitations
 
Alaska Mountain Runners Grand Prix Series Winners:
The Mount Marathon Race is part of the Alaska Mountain Runners Grand Prix Series.  Senior winners of specific races are eligible to participate in the following year's Mount Marathon Race by special invitation.  2008 invitations will be sent to the senior-level winners of the following 2007 Grand Prix races: Bird Ridge, Crow Pass Crossing, Mat Peak Challenge, and Alyeska Mountain Run (round trip only).  Winners of these races must apply for the Mount Marathon Race and pay the application fee by the March 31 deadline.  Grand Prix winners who do not already have priority status for the Mount Marathon Race will first be considered a lottery applicant.  The benefit of receiving a slot through the lottery is that a runner is then eligible for priority status the following year.  Should an individual not be selected for the Mount Marathon Race through the normal lottery process, they will be entered as a special invitation runner, which is valid for the current year only.  Recipients may not gain priority status through a special invitation and must return to the lottery pool for the following year's Mount Marathon Race.

Special Invitation Requests:
In rare instances, the Mount Marathon Race Committee grants one-year invitations to applicants for special circumstances such as documented outstanding results in other mountain races or other justifying conditions.  Those requesting a special invitation slot must apply for the Mount Marathon Race and pay the application fee by the March 31^st deadline.  The individual must also send a request letter to events@seward.net by March 31^st to be considered.  The applicant will first be entered into the normal lottery process, which affords them the benefit of priority eligibility for the next year if they are selected.  Should a special invitation requestor not be selected for the Mount Marathon Race through the normal lottery process, the Committee will then consider their request for a one-year special invitation.  Recipients may not gain priority status through a one-year special invitation and must return to the lottery pool for the following year’s Mount Marathon Race.

Waivers
Registered runners that have not attained veteran status and are unable to run the Mount Marathon race must request a waiver.  Requests must be submitted in writing to the Seward Chamber of Commerce by December 31st of the race year.  Requests for medical waiver will be honored, but must include a physician's statement verifying an individual's inability to run the race.  Waivers for personal, but non-medical, reasons will be considered, but may not be granted.

Individuals that know they will not be able to run during the application period must still apply for the race, pay their entry fee, and be selected as a 2008 runner prior to requesting a waiver.  Waivers will not be granted to individuals that failed to apply for the race by the March 31 deadline.

RACE DAY

Race Times
Junior Race            9:30 am
Women's Race    11:15 am (11:20 am for second wave)
Men's Race            3:00 pm (3:05 pm for second wave)

Racers generally begin to gather at the starting line (4th and Adams) about 10 minutes prior to each race start.  Seniors running in the second wave will not report to the starting area until the first wave has departed.      

Senior Wave Start
To reduce the congestion at various race points and increase runner safety, each senior division is comprised of two waves, spaced 5 minutes apart.  Bib numbers 1-50 are assigned to those runners who placed 1-50 in the preceding year.  Individuals wishing to change waves after bib assignment must contact the Chamber in writing by May 31st of the race year.

Bib Pick-up & Placement
Bib pick-up begins on July 3^rd from 5 - 8 pm at Seward High School in the vestibule outside the mandatory safety meeting.  All first time entrants (rookies) must attend the safety meeting in person before they will be allowed to pick up their bib and wristband.  Alternatives to the safety meeting are not available and those rookies who fail to attend are disqualified from that year's race.

Bibs can also be picked up on July 4^th beginning at 8 am at race headquarters, located at the corner of Washington St. and 5^th Ave.

Each entrant is required to pick up their bib in person before reporting to the starting line.  Photo identification is required.  Junior racers must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.  Bibs must be placed on the entrant's left side and visible to officials on the grandstand and in the timing tent.  Wrist bands will be placed on all entrants when the bib is picked up.  Any individual providing their bib to another runner will result in the disqualification of both individuals.  Runners must have the correct bib and an intact wristband when crossing the finish line.  Failure to display both items appropriately will disqualify the entrant.

Race Course
The starting line is at 4^th and Adams in downtown Seward.  Runners will leave the starting line and follow the road to the base of the mountain.  Runners will run to the top of the course, passing around the summit rock and the official judges and then descend down the mountain to the finish line.  The finish line is one block south of the starting line.  Approximate distance is 3.1 miles, with an elevation gain of 3,022 feet.

The junior race is for racers under 18.  This race follows the same trail to the finish as the senior race, but only goes half-way up the mountain.  Junior runners round the marker at the halfway point and return down the mountain to the finish line.  Juniors may race as individuals as well as on teams.

View a map of the race course here.

Junior Team Participants
Teams allow junior racers to support one another to a common goal.  Teams consist of 5-7 runners of either all girls or all boys.  Each team MUST have one runner aged 7-11 and at least two runners ages 12 to 14, and at least one member age 15-17. Team scores are tabulated by adding the top finisher from each age category plus the next two highest finishers on the team. 

Being on a team does not guarantee entry into the race.  Juniors must apply for the race first and if selected, may then join a team.  You can download a copy of the junior race application here.

There must be at least three teams of girls and three teams of boys for awards to be presented.  The top three teams of girls and the top three teams of boys will receive awards.

Provisions
Blankets, water, and medical services will be provided at the finish line.  Water may not be available on the mountain.  Each runner is expected to carry their own water with them during the race.

Showers are available after the races at AVTEC gym, the Harbormaster's office, and at the Seward Waterfront Park.

General Tips
The race course includes areas of extreme difficulty, with steep inclines and slippery loose rock and shale.  Runners may limit their risk of bodily injury to some degree by observing safety precautions.

• Assistance is not guaranteed once you leave the race start.  Be prepared to get yourself down the mountain, even if injured.
• Protective gear, such as helmets, gloves, goggles, knee and elbow pads is recommended.
• We strongly recommend that participants run the mountain at least once before race day.
• Previous mountain running experience and demonstrated strength and endurance are highly recommended prerequisites to this race.
• Attend the safety meeting.

Finishers
Official time will be kept for 1.5 hours for juniors and a maximum of 3 hours for each senior race.  Seniors that do not complete the race within 3 hours will not receive an official time and will not be granted priority status for the following year.  For safety reasons, the timing crew will continue to track the bib numbers of those runners who complete the course after the timing window has closed.

Each entrant that finishes the race will receive an official race t-shirt and patch.  The shirt and patch can be picked up at race headquarters by the runner following the respective race.  All runners who finish within the official time period (1.5 hours for juniors and 3 hours for seniors), except individuals that competed under a special invitation, receive priority status for the following year's race.  Individuals that competed under a special invitation must reapply through the lottery process for future entry.  Individuals that fail to complete the race within 3 hours must reapply through the lottery process for future entry.

Award Ceremony
The award ceremony begins at 6 pm at the AVTEC gymnasium.  Runners are awarded in the following categories:

• Top five men, women, boys, and girls in each of their respective races.
• Top five places for each age group: 11 and under, 12-14, 15-17, 18-29, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, & 70 and older.
• Top three boy teams (provided a minimum of three boy teams).
• Top three girl teams (provided a minimum of three girl teams).

RULES

Rules of Conduct

• No climbing aids.
• No shoes with metal cleats.
• No identifying markers on the trail to guide runners.
• No assistance on the trail except for first aid and dispensing of water.
• No unfair or unsafe acts.
• No headphones or listening devices.
• Every runner must give way to a runner shouting "trail" in the act of passing. 
• Any runner still on the trail from an earlier race shall give way to runners in the current race.
• Applicants may not falsify any information on the application form.
• Participants in the senior races must show a valid photo I.D. when picking up their bib or face disqualification.
• Participants may not trade bibs or provide their bibs and race identification to other individuals.
• Runners must have their race bib and wrist band when crossing the finish line.

Safety Meeting
The safety meeting will be held on July 3rd at 7:45 pm at Seward High School, 2001 Swetmann Rd.  Attendance is mandatory for ALL first time race entrants, even if they have run the course prior.  Juniors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.  Any first timers who fail to attend this meeting will be disqualified and will need to re-apply through the lottery process to participate in a future race.  Bibs and wrist bands will be provided to all first timers following this meeting.

Because the Mt Marathon race is a challenging mountain run and terrain changes could occur from year to year, all participants are encouraged to attend the safety meeting.

Bandits
Bandits are individuals who join the field of Mt Marathon competitors under fraudulent circumstances - obtaining a legal bib using false identification, using another runner's bib, or breaking into the field of runners at any point without a bib or using a falsified bib. 

Bandits violate the spirit of sportsmanship endorsed by the Mt Marathon race and more importantly, impair the safety of all participants.  As a result, identified bandits may face a lifetime ban from participating in the Mt. Marathon race, ban from other Alaska running events, and possible legal action. 

Rules Violation
Violation of any rule or blatant disregard for the safety of others may subject a participant to disqualification from the current year's race and possible disqualification from future races.

Waiver of Liability
Each participant must sign a waiver of liability absolving the City of Seward, the Seward Chamber of Commerce, and any or all individuals connected with the race of any responsibility for injuries incurred while training for the race or during the race.  A parent or legal guardian must sign the waiver on behalf of any participants in the Junior race.

VOLUNTEERS

There are over 300 volunteer positions available on July 3^rd and 4^th.  Please contact the Chamber at 224-8051 or events@seward.net for more information or to volunteer.

Volunteer Check-In
Volunteer Check in starts July 3rd from 4:45 p.m. - 8 pm at Seward High School, collocated with the bib pick-up.  Volunteers can also check in on July 4th beginning at 8 am at race headquarters, located at the corner of Washington St. and 5th Ave. 

When you check-in you will be presented with your volunteer t-shirt and given your volunteer assignment. 

FAQs/TIPS

Check here if you still have questions.

See also, General Race Info - 2007 Results.

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