Auction and Raffle for 2023

Location

Seward High School
Seward High School, 2100 Swetmann Ave
Category

Date

July 03 2023

Time

6:00 PM - 6:45 PM

Auction and Raffle for 2023

For the women’s and men’s races, additional race spots are offered through a live auction and raffle on July 3 as well as an online auction in late April (exact date To Be Determined). There is no auction for the juniors race.

The Live Auction Process

Seven race slots are auctioned for both the men’s and women’s races.  Competition can be fierce, yet fun, with auction bids beginning at $250 and going as high as $4,000 for a single spot.

  • The auction begins at 6 p.m. at the Seward High School gymnasium and is open to anyone age 18 and older that has completed the entire course in training or racing.
  • Applicants not selected in the lottery are eligible to participate, as well as individuals who did not previously apply.
  • Those participating in the auction must be present and cannot designate another individual to participate in their stead.
  • Payment is required immediately and may be made by cash or credit card.

The Online Auction Process

In late April (exact date To Be Determined), three race slots will be auctioned for both the men’s and women’s races in a live online auction on Zoom. These are intended to give an opportunity for Alaskans or out-of-staters who require more planning than the July 3 auction to lock in a spot more than a month before race day.

2023 Details

When: 5:30 p.m. Alaska Time in late April (date To Be Determined)
Number of available spots: 3 men’s priority spots and 3 women’s priority spots
Minimum bid: $500 for men and $250 for women
Minimum bid increments: $50

Auction rules and instructions:

  • Each participant must be set up to join a Zoom meeting (those lacking the technology or knowledge should join a friend’s or family member’s account)
  • Participants are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to join on a desktop computer or laptop with an Internet plan as opposed to a mobile phone that uses a data plan. The auction is much better viewed on a computer. Also, being perfectly synched with the auctioneer’s voice for bidding purposes is more likely achieved on a computer.
  • The Zoom site will open at 5 p.m. on a date To Be Determined in late April (30 minutes before the auction starts) to allow participants time for testing their technology.
  • The Seward Chamber of Commerce is not responsible for anyone whose bids fail to come through promptly due to connectivity issues or other technological problems.
  • Use Gallery view; this will enable participants to see the auctioneer and other participants
  • Participants will be muted by the auctioneer
  • All bidding must be done through the chat function (test the chat when you join by posting your name and location)
  • Each winning bidder will immediately be directed to a Zoom “breakout room” for credit card payment in full. Those who have never entered the lottery will receive a registration link to get them added to the MMR database and entered for 2023.
  • Auction winners will be “priority” entrants in 2023, meaning they can requalify through the Top 50 Percent in Age Group Rule.
  • The race director will determine auction winners’ bib and wave assignments.
  • Those who fail to win an online auction spot have another chance for entry at the in-person auction at 6 p.m. July 3 at Seward High School. Seven men’s and seven women’s spots will be auctioned then.

The Raffle Process

Prior to the live auction on July 3, one slot for the men’s or women’s race is drawn in a raffle. The entire raffle proceeds are donated to the Seward Community Foundation, an organization that distributes funds to nonprofits in Seward or Moose Pass. Previous recipients include the Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Seward Fire Department, Seward Senior Center, Alaska SeaLife Center and Seward’s local food pantry. Donations have ranged from $500 to more than $2,000.

  • The raffle is open to anyone age 18 and older that has completed the entire course in training or racing. Junior racers are NOT eligible.
  • Applicants not selected in the lottery are eligible to participate, as well as individuals who did not previously apply.
  • Those participating in the raffle must be present and cannot designate another individual to participate in their stead.
  • There is no limit on the number of tickets an individual may purchase.
  • Tickets for the raffle may be purchased for $10 each from 5:00-6:00 p.m. on July 3. Payment is required immediately and may be made by cash or credit card.