Abigail Mayer is the winner of the 2026 Mount Marathon Race logo contest!
The logo will be printed on the 2026 racer and volunteer t-shirts, stickers, patches and other promotional efforts.
Mayer, an Anchorage native, said the grittiness of Alaska and the Mount Marathon Race inspired her design.
“Alaska is a gritty, beautiful place that you have to see and experience firsthand to really understand,” Mayer said. “I wanted the design for the logo to reflect that and feel like it had physically been carved out of the mountain, in the same way that the Mount Marathon race and everyone who participates gets to be a part of the mountain itself.”
Mayer, who won $250 for her winning design, used a block print technique to achieve her desire effect.
“To get that ‘gritty,’ mountain hewn look, I physically created several linocut prints of the design with variations by carving the mirror image out of a rubber block and using printer’s ink to produce the design on paper,” Mayer said. “Once the prints dried, I scanned copies for digital editing and combined elements from each until I was happy with the final product.”
Mayer has personal connection to Mount Marathon as her father, Stephen, will be participating for the 10th time in 2026 while her brother, Matthew, will make his debut in the men’s division. She has never raced Mount Marathon but has spectated many times.
“It’s become a family affair for us and I’m excited to get to be a part of it in a new way this year, with the logo,” she said.
Mayer studied graphic design for two years at Abilene Christian University and now works at an advertising/public relations firm in Austin, Texas.
The 2026 racer shirt will have Mayer’s all-white logo on a black shirt while the volunteer shirt, which aims for great visibility, will be white-on-red.
The Mount Marathon Race Committee, which selected the winner, thanks all 25 artists who took part in the annual contest this year.
3 men’s and 3 women’s race slots will be available in a live online auction via Zoom on April 28, 2026.
There is no auction for the juniors race.
The Online Auction gives Alaskans or out-of-staters additional planning time (compared to the July 3 auction) because they lock in a spot more than two months before race day.
In 2025, the winning online auction bids ranged from $900-$1,200 for women and $1,800-$2,000 for men. Online auction bibs have gone for as high as $3,000 in the past.
Proceeds from the auction are used to help fund the Mount Marathon Race.
When: Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Zoom site will open at 5 p.m. and auction will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Number of available spots: 3 men’s PRIORITY spots and 3 women’s PRIORITY spots
Minimum bid: $200 for men and $200 for women
Minimum bid increments: $100
Zoom Link: Click HERE
Arc’teryx Joins Mount Marathon Race as New Presenting Partner
The Mount Marathon Race is thrilled to announce a two-year Presenting Partnership with outdoor gear company Arc’teryx.
The sponsorship by the Canadian brand is among the most significant in the long history of the Mount Marathon Race and will cover the 2026 and 2027 seasons in advance of the 100th running slated for 2028.
Arc’teryx, which joined Mount Marathon as a Gold Level Sponsor in 2025, specializes in mountain-oriented outdoor gear and apparel. It is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, and has evolved from a basement operation in 1989 into a global outdoor brand.
“With their focus on supporting mountain events, Arc’teryx is a great fit for the Mount Marathon Race,” race director Matias Saari said. “They can help us modernize elements of the race while also appreciating our uniquely independent and Alaskan spirit.”
Saari said Arcteryx does not wish for the event title to become the Arc’teryx Mount Marathon Race. “We will be the Mount Marathon Race presented by Arc’teryx — and that’s an important distinction,” he said.
In its sponsorship proposal, Arc’teryx stressed this point.
“Mount Marathon represents some of the very best things in trail running: community, heritage, technical terrain, the land and the grit it takes to push beyond what’s comfortable,” Arc’teryx said. “As Presenting Partner, Arc’teryx aims to honour its legacy, amplify its community-driven energy, and support the Seward community that makes this race iconic.”
A major aspect of the new partnership is that Arc’teryx has earmarked significant funds towards a race project that will replace its outdated fencing with new barricades spanning Fourth Avenue.
In addition to multiple product giveaways, Arc’teryx will also contribute matching funds for raffle tickets sold at the July 3 raffle that will benefit a Seward nonprofit organization. Arc’teryx has also committed funds towards a trail project on Mount Marathon or elsewhere on the Kenai Peninsula in partnership with the Mount Marathon Race and the Alaska Trails nonprofit.
Among those representing Arc’teryx at the 2026 Mount Marathon Race will be Jessie McAuley, who placed 3rd at Mount Marathon in 2024; Emma Cook-Clarke, a champion Skyrunner and obstacle course racer; and mountain athlete and climber Kyle Richardson.
In addition to their logo being used for all MMR 2026 promotional purposes, the winning designer will receive a $250 cash prize!
For your entry to be reviewed by our selection committee, it must be:
The 2026 Mount Marathon Race registration opens at 8 a.m. on Sunday March 1 and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31!
There are two registration options: One for those who have Priority Status and one for those who must enter the lottery.
If you are unsure of your status, scan the priority list or use the search function HERE to see if you have Priority Status.
You can also view these 2025 age group results (WOMEN & MEN) which show who placed in the Top 50 Percent of their Age Group for priority qualification (those who raced on one-year bibs are NOT eligible for priority).
To see if you qualify for 10-year status view your full race record HERE.
Instructions for PRIORITY REGISTRATION
Instruction for LOTTERY REGISTRATION
The 98th running of the Mount Marathon Race will be Saturday, July 4 in Seward.