The Yukon Quest may not be as well known as the Iditarod, but it is regarded as a much tougher race.
Whereas the Iditarod route goes along the Yukon River for 100 miles, the Quest trail spans over 400 miles on the Yukon. Both races are typically over 1000 miles each to complete.
The Yukon Quest usually goes between Whitehorse in Canada and Fairbanks Alaska, crossing between the two countries somewhere between Dawson City and Eagle.
Due to the increase in Covid infections in the area, the 2021 Yukon Quest had to be cancelled, also due to the nature of the race going between two countries.
In 2022, the usual Yukon Quest route has also been abandoned, to be replaced by four different races of varying lengths. Two in Canada and two in Alaska. The overall distance of the four races will add up to the usual 1000 mile race.
The YQ100 Yukon starts at Whitehorse and travels 100 miles to Braeburn.
Entrants so far include : ILANA KINGSLEY, LUC TWEDDELL, LOUVE TWEDDELL, LORI TWEDDELL, NATHANIEL HAMLYN, KATHERINE LAPOINTE, JONATHAN ALSBERGHE, RITA ANTONIAK & MAGNUS FEREN KALTENBORN
The YQ300 Yukon starts at Whitehorse and travels to Pelly Crossing.
Entrants so far include : ED HOPKINS, MICHELLE PHILLIPS, CRAIG HOUGHTON, CONNOR MCMAHON, JERRY JOINSON & BRENT SASS
The YQ200 Alaska starts in Circle and travels to Fairbanks.
Entrants so far include : SIMON METTLER, GIORDANO TARARA, KAILYN DAVIS, TROY BUNCE, SAMANTHA LALONDE & YUKA HONDA
The YQ550 Alaska starts in Tok and finishes in Fairbanks.
Entrants so far include : MICHELLE PHILLIPS, MATT HALL, MISHA WILJES, DEREK JA STARR, JESSIE HOLMES, JENNIFER LABAR, CODY STRATHE, LAURO EKLUND, JOE TAYLOR, J JAY LEVY, ROB COOKE, DEKE NAAKTGEBOREN, BRENT SASS, JOHN SCHANDELMEIER, CHASE TINGLE, LISBET NORRIS & KAI LEDDY
A points system has also been introduced, so an overall winner can be announced, for mushers taking part in one or more of the four races.
The musher with the most points will be crowned Yukon Quest Cup Champion
For further information visit the official Yukon Quest Website at yukonquest.com
