Academic Marathon is a global academic competition for high school students (grades 9-12), active in 29+ countries and regions. It offers 14 subjects: Mathethon, Physithon, Chemithon, Biothon, Inforthon, Envirothon (Asia only), Econthon, Psychothon, Geothon, Historithon, Philosothon, Lingothon, Artithon, and Literathon. Each marathon is a standalone event tied to its subject area.
Students compete individually and work through five mandatory stages (Establish, Apply, Connect, Advance, Reach) of up to two hours each, for 10 active hours in total, all completed within a 24-hour window. Official preparatory materials are available between stages, and AI assistants and outside help are not permitted during active stages. Results are the total points earned across the five stages, and students who finish all five stages are ranked globally within each event and grade division.
From the 2026-27 season, Academic Marathon runs mainly through school-hosted marathons: schools choose subjects and set their own dates, and every school marathon must be completed by June 30, 2027. Schools pay US$200 per school per subject. Students outside a school marathon can join the online independent session on June 19, 2027, for US$30 per student per subject, with automatic fee waivers that can lower the fee to as little as US$0.