Description:

Labeled as one of the most difficult races in the world, the Yukon Quest is a thousand mile international dog sled race that begins in Fairbanks this year with Whitehorse Yukon as the finish line. Thousands of people participate in this event, whether helping with feed drops, veterinarians stationed at each checkpoint for the dogs, logistics and support teams. Beside the sheer logistics of traveling by dog sled in the dead of winter while facing extreme temperatures, there is the additional factor of incredible distance and rugged terrain.

The purse this year is $115,000, which will be distributed to the top 15 mushers. The fastest time was 9 days. The prize for last place is the Red Lantern.
You will be amazed at the energy of the dogs at the starting line, eager to get going. With each team having anywhere from 8-14 dogs , it’s all the mushers can do to hold them back as they stretch, jump, leap, bark –the cacophony is part of it all. The progress of each musher is tracked as they come to each check point where they are required to rest, “refuel” and report in. Through the years there have been chance meetings with moose or wolves that have challenged both musher and his dogsled team.
Come early and dress warm to join the crowds along the Chena River at 11 am on February 1, 2014 for one of our great Alaskan traditions—the Yukon Quest.