The wave starts and finish protocols will be a bit different this year. Please follow our plan to ensure a smooth race! (Parents of juniors: share this plan with your racer!).

THE START
With waves of 30-50 and quick turnaround times, lining up on time and following volunteers’ and announcers’ instructions will be imperative.

JUNIORS will have just one minute between waves, with Wave 1 starting at 8:30 a.m. through Wave 7 at 8:36 a.m.
Be prepared to stage on 4^th Avenue beginning no later than 8:25 a.m.

• The waves are gender specific: either all boys or all girls.

• Your wave number and start times are on your bib for reference. Each wave is color coded: yellow, pink or blue. If the racers around you have a different colored bib, you’re in the wrong wave!
• Line up directly facing the volunteer holding a sign with your wave number. Allow for several feet of space around you.
• A large display clock in front of the start will help you keep track of the official time of day.
• The announcer will say which wave is “up next”, which wave is “on deck” (2^nd in line) and which wave is “in the hole” (3rd in line). Once a wave begins, all other waves will quickly move up one wave to fill their place.
• You may not start before your designated wave. If you accidentally miss your start, your clock is ticking and you may head directly to the start line and depart immediately.
• Bibs should be worn on the front of your torso. If you race shirtless, attach the bib on your right thigh. Don’t fold, crumple or alter your bib: it has a timing chip on the back.

• Once you finish, feel free to take a minute to catch your breath, grab a drink and orange, and celebrate your achievement. Then continue one block down 4^th Avenue and exit the finish chute area.
• Those needing extra time to recover or get medical treatment will be required to mask up along with the volunteer helping them.

Little did Ryan Davidson know that a visit to the Seward Community Library & Museum this past May would result in an exhibit honoring his uncle who died in a 1963 climbing accident on Mt. Alice.

“Dennis Hitt and the Mt. Marathon Junior Race” is the latest featured display in museum windows in the main floor atrium. The exhibit showcases newspaper clippings and a memorial plaque that Davidson donated to the Resurrection Bay Historical Society following the death this spring of his mother.

Vance Hitt’s wish 58 years ago that his son’s memorial plaque be placed at the accident site never came to fruition. But thanks to his grandson’s efforts, the public can at least see this bronze tribute at the museum.

The 18-year-old Dennis Hitt was captain of the 1963 Seward Mt. Marathon team and his death on July 1 came just days before the big race. When his teammates won the civilian team trophy that year, they accepted it on his behalf.

The first-ever junior race was run in 1964 with local teenager Dale Shea garnering the top prize. For a number of years, the phrase “Dennis Hitt Memorial” was engraved across the front of the junior race trophy. The museum exhibit features a trophy on loan from Shawn Erchinger, who won the event four times in the 1980s.

Don Stockard, a member of the Mt. Alice climbing party, shared his personal memories of the tragic event, which are part of the exhibit. His full account can be found at the RBHS website, along with photos and news clippings of Dennis Hitt and the Mt. Marathon Junior Race.

The Library & Museum at 239 Sixth Ave, Seward, AK 99664  is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

The Mount Marathon Race and Salomon are teaming up for a fun night at Skinny Raven Downtown!

First, here’s the BIB PICKUP schedule:

• FRIDAY JULY 2, 4-7 p.m. Anchorage, Skinny Raven (800 H St.) – Any racer can get bib
  Note: The bib pickup previously scheduled for Seward on July 2 has been canceled.
• TUESDAY JULY 6, 5-8 p.m. Seward Race Headquarters (outdoors at corner of 4th & Washington)
• WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Seward Race Headquarters (outdoors at corner of 4th & Washington)

You’ll get your bib, race t-shirt, race bag, patch and some sponsor swag!

First-time racers must:

• Sign that they have completed the full course in training AND they have viewed the 7-minute Safety Video by Max Romey Productions:
  https://vimeo.com/556995888/299bb421b5

Junior racers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

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SALOMON Shakeout Event July 2!

Salomon, the new presenting sponsor of the Mount Marathon Race, will host a “Mount Marathon Shakeout” in conjunction with bib pickup July 2 at Skinny Raven Downtown.
The schedule is as follows:

• 6:30-7 p.m. — Shakeout Run of 3.1 (the MMR distance)
• 7-7:30 p.m. — Pizza and beer social
• 7:30-7:45 p.m. — 2015 Mount Marathon Salomon TV Episode screening of video featuring Rickey Gates, Kilian Jornet, Emelie Forsberg and others.
• 7:45-9:00 p.m. — Salomon athlete and Alaska runners panel and Q&A. Attendees will include Dakota Jones (Montana), Christian Gering (New Mexico), Darren Thomas (Nevada), Jeffrey Stern (California) and Alaskans Michael Connelly, Christy Marvin, Rosie Frankowski, Carol Seppilu and others.

More info and registration (not required) here:
https://www.salomon.com/en-us/events/trail-running/mount-marathon-shakeout

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Mitigations for the 2021 MMR Impact Every Racer

The pandemic situation in Alaska has improved substantially in recent months, and our race plan reflects that with loosened restrictions.
Keep in mind that some of our mitigation measures were put in place months ago and attempting to change them so close to race day was not feasible.
However, nearly half of Alaskans remain unvaccinated and we are hosting an event with 850 racers and thousands of spectators, so the Mount Marathon Race Committee feels some mitigation measures remain necessary. The MMRC appreciates your cooperation.

OUR COVID-19 MITIGATION MEASURES

• Moving the race date to Wednesday, July 7 to reduce crowds (decision made February 2021 for planning purposes)
• Men’s and Women’s Race — Waves of about 50 runners each at two-minute intervals.
• Juniors’ Race — Waves of 30-50 runners each at one-minute intervals (shorter duration so that the final wave can get beyond the cliffs before the fastest juniors arrive on the descent)
• Start line — Masks are NOT required but social distancing is: 2021 will not have the sardine-style starts of years past! Each racer should be able to spread their arms out without touching the nearest person.
• Finish Line — Racers will not be permitted to linger. Catch your breath, grab a drink and orange slice and then keep moving to the end of 4th Avenue and disperse from there.
• Finish Line Volunteers and Racers Needing Treatment there — masks will be required for these groups.
• Outdoor Facilities — Our Race Headquarters will be at the gravel lot at the corner of 4th and Washington; it will host bib and t-shirt pickup, volunteer check-in and more.
• Pre-race Safety Meeting and Auction — A Safety Video that must be viewed by first-time racers replaces the pre-race safety meeting. An online auction in early June replaced the pre-race auction.
• Awards — The awards ceremony at the AVTEC Center is canceled; we plan to hold brief overall podium awards ceremonies at Race HQ and distribute age-group medals there once results are confirmed.
• COVID-19 Symptoms — If you feel sick with any COVID-19 symptoms, please do not come to Seward or participate in the race. We will grant such racers a deferral to 2022 to save their spots. A key to not spreading COVID-19 in Seward is not bringing it there in the first place.

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Thank you for your cooperation,
The Mount Marathon Race Committee and
Race Director Matias Saari

Two new rules will be implemented in 2021:

TOP 50 PERCENT AGE GROUP RULE
Beginning in 2021, adult racers will need to finish in the Top 50 percent of their age group to earn priority registration in 2022. This replaces the First 225 Finishers Rule and is intended to increase the number of lottery spots and improve lottery odds. Those with 10-Year Status are not impacted.

10-YEAR NEW RACER REPEAL RULE
Beginning in 2021, new racers will not be eligible to earn Priority 10-Year Status. Those who have previously completed an adult race remain eligible. This change will gradually increase lottery selection odds (beginning in 2030).

These rules, and several others, were approved by the Mount Marathon Race Committee in February 2020. They were announced at that time and published on the race website.

There are a few exceptions. Frequently Asked Questions about these rules.

Greeting, MMR racers! The Mount Marathon Race is a massive logistical undertaking that requires more than 300 volunteers.

Many have signed up, but we still have about 70 spots to fill, mostly on race day. The date change to Wednesday, July 7 has no doubt made the recruitment of volunteers more difficult.

There are opportunities to volunteer for the juniors, women’s or men’s events — and even if you personally are unavailable perhaps a friend or family member could help us out!

Volunteers get a Mount Marathon volunteer shirt and our eternal gratitude.
Here is the link to our Signup Genius volunteer listing:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c45aca62eabfbc43-mount

Our Volunteer coordinator is Stephanie Wright; she can answer questions at volunteer@mountmarathon.com

We also have a handful of unlisted mountain positions that require strong fitness and significant First Aid knowledge. Anyone interested in those positions should contact:
Joe Fong, MMR Mountain Safety Director: jclfong@gmail.com

Thank you for your help!
Stephanie Wright
Mount Marathon Volunteer Coordinator