The petition period for the 2025 race will be March 1-31.
Petitions are NOT POSSIBLE after March 31 and once the roster has been announced and published.
The Mount Marathon Race Committee meets annually in early April to consider the petition applicants. Petitions fall under two categories: merit (generally outstanding results in past mountain and/or trail races) or unique circumstances (a wide variety of compelling reasons unrelated to performance). The process is competitive.
Petitioning offers a one-time (one race) opportunity to experience the event. A successful petition is not a path to priority status (unless you win the race). If your intent is to gain entry to the race for more than one year, the lottery is your best path to entry. Note that an approved petition is only valid for the current year.
Petitioners are also required to enter the lottery between March 1-31.
Those who petition will first be considered as a lottery applicant (the cost is $20 for adults and $15 for juniors).
If the petitioner wins the lottery, they have gained entry to the race and the petition does not need to be considered.
If the petitioner loses the lottery, their petition will be considered by the race committee in early April and the petitioner will be notified of the result by April 15.
Successful petitioners will have their credit cards automatically charged the balance of their registration fee (an additional $80 for adults or $35 for juniors).
Unless a petition racer wins the Mount Marathon Race, they do NOT gain priority status regardless of result and must return to the lottery pool for the following year’s race.
Petitioners are NOT eligible to qualify for the following year by placing in the Top 50 Percent of their Age Group.
However, petitioners who place among the Top 10 overall in the men’s, women’s or non-binary race will earn another one-year entry the following year (but still must also apply for the lottery AND complete a One-Time Earned Race Spot Form).
Petition winners are encouraged, but not required, to select a volunteer opportunity on our SignUp Genius list or have a friend or family member volunteer in their place.
Applicants are asked the following questions on the petition form:
- Why do you want to run the Mount Marathon Race? Special consideration may be extended to those with a connection to Seward and Alaska.
- Why aren’t you trying to gain entry via the auction?
- What is your credibility as an experienced mountain runner? Include results.
- (If you live outside of Southcentral Alaska) How will you practice the entire course prior to the race?
- Have you volunteered at the Mount Marathon Race and/or at other events in your community?