Five Stages. Two Hours Each. One Day to Finish.

One individual learner follows one topic from a shared foundation toward its intellectual frontier.

The High School Marathon

A focused challenge for students in grades 9–12

Individual

Your effort, judgment, endurance, and achievement.

One Topic

A continuous course that becomes progressively deeper.

10 Active Hours

Five mandatory stages of up to two hours each.

24-Hour Window

Begin at your chosen time within the global event window and finish within one day.

Reach the Starting Line

The marathon begins from a shared foundation—not from zero

Official preparatory material introduces the essential concepts for the event topic. Every participant is expected to study it before opening Stage 1.

Think of it as reaching the starting elevation. Once the marathon begins, the course moves forward from that common base into increasingly advanced learning, application, analysis, and problem solving.

One Continuous Course

All participants in the same event and division receive the same content. The five stages are completed in order, and each stage builds upon the journey before it.

The Five-Stage Course

Depth and complexity rise as the marathon progresses

1

Establish

Activate the foundations and begin the topic journey.

2

Apply

Use core concepts in increasingly demanding contexts.

3

Connect

Combine ideas, recognize patterns, and analyze relationships.

4

Advance

Tackle advanced materials and unfamiliar problems.

5

Reach

Go as far as your developing mastery can take you.

Each stage allows up to two hours. A stage may be submitted early, but unused time does not carry forward.

Time, Breaks & Finishing

The Clock

  • Your personal 24-hour window begins when you open Stage 1.
  • The active test clock stops when a stage is submitted or its two hours expire.
  • The 24-hour deadline is a hard stop and overrides any remaining stage time.
  • Completed stages cannot be reopened.

Between Stages

  • There is no minimum break; you may begin the next stage immediately.
  • You may leave the testing environment, rest, eat, and recover.
  • You may review official preparatory material and your own notes.
  • You may not consult other people or use unofficial online resources.

Completing the Course Matters

All five stages are mandatory. Complete them within 24 hours to become an official Academic Marathon finisher. An incomplete course receives Did Not Finish status.

Testing Rules

Independent work during every active stage

Closed Book

Preparatory materials, notes, books, web browsing, AI assistants, and outside help are not permitted during active stages.

Approved Tools

Calculators and event-approved reference sheets are permitted. Event instructions will identify any additional approved tools.

Embedded Learning

New information and learning resources may be provided inside the test. Learning and applying them is part of the challenge.

Scoring & Recognition

Total Points

Your result is the total points earned across the course. Because the content becomes progressively more advanced, the score reflects both accuracy and the depth you reached.

Global Rankings

Official finishers are ranked globally within their marathon event and grade division. Every event is recognized independently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enter independently?

Yes. Academic Marathon is an individual international event; school affiliation is not required.

Can I enter more than one event?

Yes. Eligible students may register for multiple marathon events.

Must I use all two hours?

No. You may submit a stage early, but unused time cannot be transferred to another stage.

What may I do during breaks?

Rest, leave the testing environment, and review official preparation materials or your own notes. Outside consultation and unofficial online resources are prohibited.

Ready to Discover How Far You Can Go?

Choose your topic and take on the full intellectual marathon.

Register Now