Yukon River Quest (YRQ) registration closed at midnight June 1.
The 24th Yukon River Quest will begin at 9 a.m. June 26 at Rotary Peace Park in Whitehorse.
According to a YRQ press release, as of Wednesday, the final pre-race registration count was at 76 teams. Of those, 73 will compete in the full 715 km to Dawson City. Three teams will do the YRQ 300 Half Race to Carmacks.
This year’s field features 178 paddlers from 12 countries. Canada is represented by nine provinces and territories.
The U.S. has teams from 11 states. There are also paddlers from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Estonia, Belgium, France, Ireland, Israel, Czech Republic, and Slovenia.
The race returns to the last week in June after starting in early July last year, as preferred by most racers.
After the start, paddlers weather Lake Laberge and go ’round-the-clock on the upper Yukon River until they reach this year’s mandatory 10-hour rest stop in Carmacks. Teams will start arriving at Coal Mine Campground on the morning of Thursday, June 27, and into the evening.
Back on the river, they encounter Five Finger Rapids, pass Minto (final road access), historic Fort Selkirk, Coffee Creek and make the long haul to Dawson.
The faster teams should finish late on Friday afternoon, June 28.
Racers who have logged 5,000 or 10,000 kilometres join our Great River Club.
The racers this year include seven solo canoes (C1), 17 solo kayaks (K1), 11 stand-up paddleboards (SUP), 22 tandem canoes (C2), three tandem kayaks (K2), seven four-person canoes (C4), and nine voyageur canoes (VC) of six or more paddlers.
A wrap-up awards banquet will be held in Dawson City on Sunday, June 30 after the race concludes.
Those wanting to follow the race can do so on the Race Tracker at www.yukonriverquest.com, or check in for updates on YRQ’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
All participants receive a YRQ finisher pin. Prizes will also be handed out to the top finishers in each category.
The race is organized by the Yukon Marathon Paddlers Association, based in Whitehorse.
“With just three weeks to go, the excitement is palpable for the 2024 Yukon River Quest,” said race co-ordinator Cynthia Onions. “Paddlers are eagerly registering their GPS trackers between rigorous training runs, ready to take on the adventure of a lifetime.”
Race organizers are still looking for volunteers.
“We are still seeking spirited volunteers to assist at both remote and road-accessible checkpoints, as well as medically-trained individuals for first aid in Carmacks and two more jet boats for the Little and Big Salmon checkpoints,” said Onions.
Two hundred volunteers are expected to help the race run as smoothly as possible this year.
She added, “Many racers from around the world are coming to see the beauty of the Yukon for the first time. Their gratitude for the incredible work and volunteers that make this race possible is boundless.
“Join us in making this year’s race unforgettable!”
– With files from the Yukon River Quest
