The Skip-A-Year option has been eliminated for the 2026 race.

Approved Skip-A-Years from 2025 will still be honored and those individuals will receive a priority invitation for 2026.

Approved Skip-a-Years from 2025 are recognized as priority registrants for 2026 using the normal registration process, which includes paying the full registration fee between March 1-31. Because you are filling a race spot for both 2025 and 2026, you are required to pay for both years.

However, runners can no longer apply for Skip-A-Year beginning in 2026. SAY was essentially a no-questions-asked deferral that runners could use once in their racing lifetime.

The Mount Marathon Race Committee voted to eliminate Skip-A-Year as it was deemed too great a benefit for priority racers at the expense of lottery hopefuls. Lottery odds are expected to rise beginning in 2027 given that more than 50 additional lottery spots will be available compared to when Skip-A-Year was in effect.

The rule change has no impact on racers’ eligibility for 10-year status.

In 2026 and beyond, entrants with extenuating circumstances who are unable to race may still petition the race committee the following year and make their case for why they should be granted a bib.