Entry Frequently Asked Questions

Many answers to frequently asked questions about entry are below. All race registrants and lottery applicants are required to carefully read all pages on this website.

I’ve finished 10 races and won’t race this year. Do I need to register or pay a fee to maintain my priority status?
How many entrants race?
What are the race divisions?
Who is a priority racer?
Who is a veteran racer or has 10-year status?
Do my lottery odds increase if I lose year after year? What were the odds in 2022?
Why does the race registration collect emergency contact information?
Why do I have to pay to enter the lottery?
If I can’t race, can I give my spot to someone else?
Is the race safe for my child and how old do they have to be?
If I lose the lottery, what are my options?
When was the First 225 Finishers Rule repealed and why was the Top 50 Percent in Age Group Rule implemented?

I’ve finished 10 adult races and don’t plan to race this year. Do I need to register or pay a fee to maintain my priority status?

If you have completed 10 or more adult races you do not need to register, nor pay a fee, nor do you need to use the Skip-a-Year option. Your Priority Registration Status will be maintained.
Back to top of page

How many entrants race?

Because of the environmental impact and safety issues, the number of entrants is restricted to 375 men375 women, and 300 juniors (150 boys and 150 girls). Given that some entrants do not ultimately participate for various reasons, the number of actual racers is considerably lower and varies year-to-year.
Back to top of page

What are the race divisions?

Junior Racers: Entrants must be at least 9 years old and under 18 years old on July 4th. Boys and girls compete in the same race but results are separated by gender.
Adult Racers: Entrants must be at least 18 years old on July 4th. Men and Women compete in different races. 

Race Division(s) Number of Waves Participant Max Time for official finish
Juniors’ Race Boys and Girls 1 150 boys

150 girls

within 1 hour, 30 minutes, 0 seconds
Men’s Race Men 3 375 within 2 hours, 30 minutes, 0 seconds
Women’s Race Women 3 375 within 2 hours, 30 minutes, 0 seconds

Who is a priority racer?

See priority.
Back to top of page

Who has 10-Year Status?

10-Year-Status is a term used to designate a person who meets the following criteria:

  • Prior to 2020 received an official adult race finish or submitted a deferral in 2019; AND
  • Officially completed 10 or more Mount Marathon adult races.

Junior race finishes DO NOT apply to a adult’s 10-year-status.
10-year status gives a registrant priority status.

Back to top of page

Do my lottery odds increase if I lose year after year? What were the odds in 2022?

Beginning in 2014, the lottery selection process began using a weighted formula that increases the odds of someone winning a lottery place based on the number of consecutive times they have unsuccessfully applied.
Once selected for the race, that person’s lottery weight resets to zero.
The lottery weight also resets to zero is there is a break in consecutive years of applying for the lottery.
The lottery odds in 2022 were:
Women – 43.8 percent (118/269)
Men – 22.8 percent (109/478)
Girls – 100 percent (57/57)
Boys – 78.2 percent (54/69).

Back to top of page

Why does the race registration collect emergency contact information?

The emergency contact information provided must be someone who can be reached on race day and is familiar with you and the race.
The emergency contact may be called for a variety of reasons:

  • If a racer is injured on the course.
  • If a junior racer does not reach the cutoff checkpoint before the cutoff time.
  • If a racer picks up their bib but is not recorded as starting or finishing the race and cannot be reached to by phone to confirm their safety.
    Back to top of page

Why do I have to pay to enter the lottery?

The Mount Marathon Race is put on by the Seward Chamber of Commerce. While numerous volunteers donate their time and organizations donate their services, the race is still a costly endeavor and entry fees help offset the cost. Primary expenses includes paying for Special Event Insurance, timing services, a race director, awards, t-shirts, audio services, electricity, porta-potties, waste removal, and specialized equipment. There are also costs associated with the race registration process, maintaining the website, and tracking results.
We try to minimize the cost of applying, so lottery applicants are charged $20 during the application process. Lottery winners are then invoiced the balance of the entry fee and must pay it by April 30 to complete their registration.
Back to top of page

If I can’t race, can I give my spot to someone else?

Absolutely not. Your bib number is assigned to you and belongs only to you. If you are unable to participate, you can not designate another individual to run in your place, nor can organizers open your spot for another applicant. Those who give their bib to an unregistered racer (a bandit) may be banned from future races (along with the bandit).
Back to top of page

Is the race safe for my child and how old do they have to be?

You are required to sign a waiver liability form on your child’s behalf, which may cause you some concern. The race course is challenging even for juniors who climb half the mountain. However, the trail is routinely climbed by people of all ages. Only you can determine whether your child can handle the physical and technical challenge, and we encourage you to hike the trail with your child several times before race day. Familiarity with the course is essential for safety.
Junior Racers must be at least 7 years old on July 4. All juniors start the race together, so if your child is very small you may want him or her to start near the back of the pack or along the sides of the pack.
Children ages 2-6 can enter the Mini-Marathon Race during the Fourth of July Festival on Fourth Avenue. Or an older child can volunteer in a variety of positions — and get a volunteer t-shirt!
Back to top of page

If I lose the lottery, what are my options?

Adult may participate in the online auction (3 spots per gender) in April or the live auction (7 spots per gender) on July 3. There is also a raffle at the auction venue on July 3 for the chance to win one reserved slot. If those options are not feasible, we encourage you to volunteer and apply for next year’s race between March 1-31.
Back to top of page

Why was the First 225 Finishers Rule repealed and why was the Top 50 Percent in Age Group Rule implemented?

The First 225 Finishers Rule for priority status was repealed after the 2019 race primarily because the number of adult runners with priority status had grown to exceed the number of available spots, thereby threatening the ability to even hold a lottery. The First 225 Rule was replaced with the Top 50 Percent in Age Group Rule beginning with the 2021 race. To earn priority registration in 2022 and in subsequent years, adult racers now needed to completed the 2021 race in the top 50 percent of their age group of official finishers.
The Top 50 Percent Rule was implemented to open up more spots for new racers and improve their lottery odds. It will also increase the odds of regaining entry for those who lose their priority spot.

Back to top of page