To earn the Marathon Award, one must engage in 100 QSOs, each 60 minutes or longer, and each with a different SKCC member using their assigned call, SKCC member number, and SKCC qualified keying devices. There is no time limit to earn the award but only QSOs logged after 0000Z 1 January 2008 count.
A member who achieves the Marathon award will have the option to receive a printable certificate or a special commemorative plaque similar to the one pictured above. The plaque will be mailed to the member upon request. Plaques will be paid for by the Club as long as funds permit, but members are invited to crown their achievement by making a donation.
Rationale: The Marathon Award has been deliberately designed to be a demanding achievement for an Amateur Radio Operator by creating a true operating challenge that involves the fundamental ideals of ham radio as celebrated by SKCC: operating skill, a good station, conversational ability, and a consistent, quality fist. The award cannot be achieved easily and skill grows with each contact. The Marathon Award requires people to use and develop conversational CW expertise to build camaraderie and long-term friendships.
A typical Marathon QSO should result from a CQ, or answering a CQ. It would extend beyond the typical, brief exchanges that have become the starting point for today’s QSOs, and proceed to engaging the other station in an extended, informative, and entertaining exchange for a lengthy period. Anyone can send a brief exchange in a few seconds and move on. A Marathon requires real skill, a quality station, and a creative mind.
The Award, as envisioned by the originator, was to enhance the ragchewing skills needed to turn a formatted, quick exchange QSO with another member into a real bond with someone who was essentially unknown. It acknowledges the rare and special talents of those with the highest level of ragchewing ability. Few will be able to earn this award. That remains the spirit and intent of the Marathon Award today.
1. Complete a QSO lasting at least 60 minutes with another SKCC member. Both parties must be using their own call sign and their own personal SKCC numbers. This restricts use of 2nd call signs, Club call signs, special events call signs, etc.
2. Both parties to the QSO must submit the following QSO information giving the date, time, band, both call signs and SKCC numbers, and duration of the QSO. If you are eligible to use the submission link below, it will fulfill the reporting requirements. If you are not eligible to use the link, then you will need to report your QSO information via email to the award manager, Cecil Turquette, K5YQF, at marathonmanager@skccgroup.com. The QSO details above must be provided under the submitting/confirming stations’ email header along with his “QSL” confirming language
3. Logs of active Marathon participants will be displayed on the Marathon Award page after achieving 5 confirmed Marathons. Those only confirming Marathons will not be listed. Logs may be moved to an inactive status after 3 months without a submission.
4. One band change is permissible during the QSO, and is limited to a break no longer than 10 minutes. The QSO must be extended to include the time needed for band change. Minor QSYs within a band like “up 1” to avoid QRM are permissible.
5. All QSOs must be from your home QTH using your equipment and antennas. If your only mode of operation is via remotely located equipment, then all 100 marathons must be made from the same remote equipment. This is not intended to exclude occasional portable operations, a second QTH, or a permanent relocation.
6. When a member reaches 100 confirmed QSOs lasting 60 minutes or longer in the database, he or she will qualify for the award. A suitable announcement will be published, and a certificate or commemorative plaque will be prepared for the operator.
7. . Participants must use SKCC approved keys (straight keys, sideswipers (cooties), or bugs). See the club's policy on acceptable keys here.
Questions about the award description above should be sent to the Marathon Manager marathonmanager@skccgroup.com at any time.
NOTE: Do not use this link if you are not an established marathon participant with a log set up though the Marathon Manager. Do not use this link if you have already the Marathon Award.
Marathon QSOs are submitted via the link below. The data is written directly into your log and will be available immediately after submission. Here’s how it works:
Click the link below to begin the process. Follow the online directions. Enter the QSO details in the format requested. You can enter comments to the Award Manager, if desired. You can also send a copy of the data to an email address you enter on the form.
When you submit the QSO info, the software performs several checks and will display relevant error messages. Correct any errors and submit again. If you continue to have difficulties, contact the Marathon Manager for assistance.
This procedure only enters the information into your log. Confirmation is still done by the Marathon Manager. Confirmation is accomplished in two ways:
[1] If the other party is also a marathon participant and has a log, then his submission into log will be considered confirmation for you. And your submission will be considered confirmation for him/her. No other emails will be needed.
[2] If the other party is not a marathon participant, he will not have a log, and he/she will need to confirm the QSO directly to the Marathon Manager. It is recommended you contact the other party to be sure that he/she knows how to confirm the QSO via email.
Questions about the process or any difficulties can be submitted to the Marathon Manager marathonmanager@skccgroup.com at any time.
Marathon Award participants with an established log, and who have not achieved the Award, click this link.
Note: Logs of active Marathon participants will be displayed on the Marathon Award page after achieving 5 confirmed Marathons. Those only confirming Marathons will not be listed. Logs may be moved to an inactive status after 3 months without a submission.
Award | Callsign | SKCC | Name | Claimed | Confirmed | Awarded | Last Update |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | K5YQF | 1820 | Cecil Turquette | 100 | 100 | 24 Sep 2014 | 24 Sep 2014 |
2 | N5IR | 12357 | Bill Billingsley | 100 | 100 | 27 Sep 2020 | 24 Sep 2020 |
3 | K5KV | 1952 | Benny Owens | 100 | 100 | 06 Oct 2020 | 06 Oct 2020 |
4 | WA4FAT | 11062 | Bill Levey | 101 | 100 | 17 Nov 2020 | 17 Nov 2020 |
5 | KU4E | 18215 | Rob Christian | 100 | 100 | 19 Nov 2020 | 19 Nov 2020 |
6 | KQ4CW | 22743 | Dave Ellison | 101 | 100 | 07 Feb 2021 | 07 Feb 2021 |
7 | N7WI | 16967 | Tom Stoio | 103 | 102 | 22 Feb 2021 | 01 Jul 2023 |
8 | WA3SCM | 2968 | Dave Slater | 100 | 100 | 11 Mar 2021 | 11 Mar 2021 |
9 | KK0I | 2370 | Jack Hill | 100 | 100 | 21 Apr 2021 | 21 Apr 2021 |
10 | W2OZB | 17177 | Phil Bartash | 100 | 100 | 07 May 2022 | 07 May 2022 |
11 | W4LRB | 11021 | Ben Cuperman | 100 | 100 | 23 May 2022 | 23 May 2022 |
12 | AA6MK | 13548 | Mike Kelly | 101 | 100 | 03 Sep 2022 | 03 Sep 2022 |
13 | NJ8L | 13613 | Vern Walker | 100 | 100 | 13 Dec 2022 | 13 Dec 2022 |
14 | K2FW | 20151 | Steve Bockman | 100 | 100 | 26 Dec 2022 | 26 Dec 2022 |
15 | AI8AI | 23084 | Ai Nguyen | 100 | 100 | 01 Jan 2023 | 16 Sep 2023 |
16 | AK9A | 5902 | Bob Paiva | 100 | 100 | 17 Mar 2023 | 17 Mar 2023 |
17 | VE3WH | 4592 | Sam Cross | 103 | 100 | 17 Mar 2023 | 17 Mar 2023 |
18 | KA5TJS | 5172 | Allen Matthews | 100 | 100 | 29 Mar 2023 | 29 Mar 2023 |
19 | W6RKE | 12450 | Jerry Finn | 103 | 101 | 10 Apr 2023 | 11 Apr 2023 |
20 | KA8HFN | 2046 | Larry Fridley | 109 | 106 | 16 Apr 2023 | 03 May 2023 |
21 | KY8D | 14636 | Gan Starling | 101 | 100 | 23 Apr 2023 | 23 Apr 2023 |
22 | W3NP | 3182 | Dave Humbertson | 100 | 100 | 02 May 2023 | 02 May 2023 |
23 | KO4WFP | 25974 | Teri Beard | 100 | 100 | 19 Oct 2023 | 19 Oct 2023 |
24 | N5KIP | 3755 | Dick Burroughs | 100 | 100 | 13 Nov 2023 | 13 Nov 2023 |
25 | KA4UPI | 2582 | Mark Melton | 100 | 100 | 22 Dec 2023 | 22 Dec 2023 |
26 | K5MEG | 24217 | Meg Blubaugh | 100 | 100 | 25 Feb 2024 | 25 Feb 2024 |
27 | K0RO | 14800 | Ralph Bolt | 100 | 100 | 11 Mar 2024 | 11 Mar 2024 |
28 | K4KYN | 26302 | Jeff Gary | 100 | 100 | 23 Mar 2024 | 23 Mar 2024 |
29 | VA2GJ | 18768 | Gerald Lemay | 100 | 100 | 18 Apr 2024 | 18 Apr 2024 |
AA4SN | 15195 | Buck Buckowski | 40 | 40 | 25 Mar 2024 | ||
AA5JC | 24262 | Josh Carroll | 5 | 5 | 17 Apr 2023 | ||
AA8CL | 2339 | Bud Labbato | 31 | 31 | 22 Apr 2023 | ||
AB4PP | 32 | John-Paul Keon | 18 | 18 | 16 Feb 2024 | ||
AB4RH | 7310 | Billy Zeyher | 8 | 8 | 14 Apr 2023 | ||
AB8DY | 15285 | Craig McVey | 8 | 8 | 01 Jan 2024 | ||
AC4ZH | 21121 | Duane Dickens | 24 | 24 | 04 Feb 2024 | ||
AC5P | 819 | Mike Maloney | 36 | 36 | 04 Apr 2024 | ||
AC8KJ | 8611 | George Rowe | 10 | 10 | 03 Sep 2023 | ||
AC9HP | 21348 | Wayne Michael | 9 | 9 | 06 Apr 2024 | ||
AF4QK | 20594 | Kenny Averitte | 25 | 25 | 10 Mar 2024 | ||
AF5Z | 27159 | Bob Helms | 7 | 7 | 09 Mar 2024 | ||
AH6AX | 11165 | Larry Wandel | 34 | 34 | 04 Apr 2024 | ||
AI4UH | 27340 | Adam Nissley | 14 | 13 | 24 Mar 2024 | ||
F6HKA | 6069 | Bert Banlier | 19 | 19 | 29 Mar 2024 | ||
K0AF | 22366 | Andy Folkmann | 59 | 59 | 16 Apr 2024 | ||
K1PUG | 12486 | Hank Cattey | 47 | 39 | 23 Feb 2024 | ||
K1RWT | 19217 | Russ Tine | 14 | 14 | 20 Feb 2024 | ||
K1YAN | 7563 | Gary Meyn | 39 | 39 | 24 Mar 2024 | ||
K3ESE | 19100 | Lloyd Lachow | 36 | 36 | 01 Feb 2024 | ||
K3WK | 25013 | Gary Tartanian | 46 | 46 | 22 Feb 2024 | ||
K3ZGA/SK | 12392 | Bob Schwer | 9 | 9 | 21 Apr 2023 | ||
K4ARD | 8197 | Brian Ard | 13 | 13 | 18 Oct 2023 | ||
K4IIG | 25208 | Gary Kyle | 18 | 18 | 03 Apr 2024 | ||
K4ISW | 13162 | Lee Moyer | 40 | 40 | 12 Apr 2024 | ||
K4TNE | 13884 | Jeff Bray | 7 | 7 | 16 Oct 2023 | ||
K4UYQ | 17931 | Don Bulloch | 13 | 13 | 05 Aug 2023 | ||
K5ENS | 19964 | Ken Schumacher | 9 | 9 | 18 Dec 2022 | ||
K5OGX | 5078 | Phillip Barros | 14 | 14 | 11 Mar 2024 | ||
K5PE | 17399 | Roger Dillon | 20 | 20 | 18 Oct 2023 | ||
K7NXL | 25895 | Dan Boren | 22 | 22 | 12 Dec 2023 | ||
K8UDH | 10532 | Bruce Murdock | 16 | 16 | 13 Apr 2023 | ||
KB1FGC | 21047 | Rich Guerrera | 44 | 44 | 03 Apr 2024 | ||
KC1FUU | 24695 | Jon Foster | 6 | 6 | 21 Dec 2023 | ||
KC4NLD | 25318 | Mark Cruse | 5 | 5 | 22 Feb 2024 | ||
KC5F | 21092 | Steve Smith | 28 | 28 | 24 Dec 2023 | ||
KD0EVP | 22435 | Darren Hain | 19 | 19 | 02 Apr 2023 | ||
KD2GUT | 23124 | Caryn Murray | 16 | 16 | 05 Apr 2024 | ||
KD2ZUD | 27215 | Jasper Fox Sr. | 16 | 16 | 26 Oct 2023 | ||
KD9KHA | 23208 | Andy Lach | 60 | 60 | 17 Jan 2024 | ||
KE8UEX | 26310 | Ram Seshan | 15 | 15 | 24 Mar 2024 | ||
KF0QS | 8872 | Bernie Poskus | 5 | 5 | 09 Nov 2023 | ||
KF4GNV | 26106 | Ron Hamby | 5 | 5 | 23 Feb 2024 | ||
KG5SSB | 21881 | Dan Bostick | 15 | 15 | 09 Mar 2024 | ||
KJ4R | 13788 | Ed Bradshaw | 14 | 14 | 28 Feb 2024 | ||
KJ7GNB | 20930 | Bill Hunt | 40 | 40 | 06 Mar 2023 | ||
KY4ID | 25154 | Mike Burton | 9 | 8 | 14 Sep 2023 | ||
KY4O | 7091 | Bill Spencer | 95 | 95 | 03 Apr 2024 | ||
KY5VAR | 27745 | Ky Vargas | 7 | 7 | 29 Mar 2024 | ||
N0IPA | 23014 | Jim Stinson | 11 | 11 | 25 Oct 2023 | ||
N3BNT | 2309 | Dennis Heidt | 20 | 19 | 19 Nov 2023 | ||
N4HAY | 14649 | Dick Hayter | 21 | 21 | 09 Nov 2023 | ||
N4JEH | 26014 | Jenna Hurley | 19 | 19 | 01 Apr 2024 | ||
N4TMM | 14467 | Jim Ewing | 21 | 20 | 18 Feb 2024 | ||
N5DR | 19844 | Cecil Smith | 41 | 41 | 23 Feb 2024 | ||
N6CUQ | 24270 | Matt Shank | 8 | 8 | 08 Mar 2023 | ||
N7PHI | 20999 | Derek Hansen | 9 | 9 | 25 Feb 2022 | ||
N8DF | 22670 | Dave Fuller | 19 | 19 | 06 Mar 2024 | ||
ND4U | 5936 | Den Blair | 38 | 38 | 18 Feb 2024 | ||
ND8MS | 19789 | Mark Soulard | 20 | 20 | 20 Feb 2024 | ||
NE5A | 24849 | George Randolph | 27 | 27 | 29 Mar 2024 | ||
NF1O | 164 | Barry Whittemore | 18 | 18 | 24 Feb 2024 | ||
NW7US | 4758 | Tomas Hood | 17 | 17 | 28 Mar 2024 | ||
PG4I | 11019 | Jo Stakenborg | 4 | 4 | 31 Oct 2023 | ||
SV8ANW | 19770 | JIM LIGKAS - TRIANTOPOULOS | 4 | 4 | 04 Feb 2024 | ||
VA3FRL | 24441 | Rick Lorenz | 7 | 7 | 18 Mar 2024 | ||
VA5CW | 4326 | Bill Down | 25 | 24 | 16 Jan 2024 | ||
VE1AHX | 18100 | Ben Pooley | 31 | 31 | 06 Mar 2024 | ||
W0RLY | 17845 | ERIC Worley | 24 | 24 | 02 Apr 2024 | ||
W1ZAH | 20478 | Frank Arciuolo | 62 | 62 | 01 Apr 2024 | ||
W2ITT | 21419 | Rob WITT | 39 | 39 | 16 Feb 2024 | ||
W2QCY | 21544 | John Farina | 13 | 13 | 28 Feb 2024 | ||
W3DF | 12995 | Dan Flanagan | 62 | 61 | 28 Mar 2024 | ||
W4ABQ | 2782 | Kevin Falls | 9 | 9 | 24 Jan 2024 | ||
W4CLR | 27935 | David Schiff | 10 | 10 | 16 Jan 2024 | ||
W4CMG | 20093 | Cathy Goodrich | 65 | 64 | 22 Mar 2024 | ||
W4LSV | 2795 | Barry Fluxe | 20 | 20 | 03 Mar 2024 | ||
W5WTH | 18901 | Pat Hensley | 36 | 36 | 29 Mar 2024 | ||
W6DFM | 27053 | Mike Mitchell | 13 | 13 | 11 Mar 2024 | ||
W6JIM | 15169 | Jim Crites | 8 | 8 | 17 Apr 2023 | ||
W8YA | 23445 | Mark Williams | 33 | 33 | 13 Mar 2024 | ||
W9DLN | 3635 | Dan Nyman | 24 | 24 | 25 Oct 2023 | ||
WA3RSR | 23232 | Ken Baake | 36 | 34 | 24 Jan 2024 | ||
WB0B | 8753 | Larry Newby | 45 | 45 | 04 May 2023 | ||
WB4HUL | 1787 | Sid Scott | 19 | 19 | 28 Dec 2023 | ||
WB5EVO | 14807 | Paul Adams | 40 | 40 | 01 Apr 2024 | ||
WB5JWI | 5013 | Les Hock | 32 | 32 | 27 Dec 2023 | ||
WB9CYY | 26540 | Don Lawson | 6 | 5 | 17 Apr 2024 | ||
WI0S | 2048 | Kieth Cook | 22 | 22 | 05 Sep 2023 | ||
WI5H | 11770 | Mike Maner | 22 | 22 | 26 Apr 2023 | ||
WM4Q | 16465 | Pete Harris | 57 | 56 | 12 Apr 2024 | ||
WN4OFT | 958 | John | 6 | 6 | 06 Feb 2024 | ||
YL3JD | 21931 | Hanz Van de pol | 3 | 3 | 20 Mar 2023 |
To see each participant's latest log, visit the entrants' log page here.