Yukon sled dog race planned in place of canceled Yukon Quest

With the cancellation of this year’s Yukon Quest international sled dog race, some Yukoners are taking the opportunity to organize an alternative race from Dawson City, Yukon, to Whitehorse.

But one of the organizers says it will be a very different event.

“I think the main thing is that people want the race to be something that everyone can feel good about participating in, like the mushers, the volunteers, the sponsors, the race officials, the vets,” said Susie Rogan, vice president of the Dog Powered Sports Association. of the Yukon.

Rogan said the race would have two parts. The first goes from Dawson City to Pelly Crossing, about halfway.

The race will begin in Dawson City on Feb. 21 with a mass start, she said. The second half of the race will begin 52 hours later at Pelly Crossing.

This will give mushers plenty of time to get from Dawson to Pelly Crossing, Rogan said, with plenty of rest for the dogs and time to socialize along the way for mushers.

She said there would be no advantage for mushers to go to Pelly Crossing first. And they will be discouraged for arriving too early.

The second half of the race to Whitehorse includes a mandatory 20-hour rest period for the dogs. The race ends Feb. 26, Rogan said.

There is a separate event for mushers who simply want to do the Dawson to Pelly Crossing leg of the race.

Rogan said the title of the race is Yukon Journey, reflecting the physical journey through the wilderness of the territory and the gradual shift to a different style of running. The public is increasingly concerned about animal welfare, as it should be, she said, and sled dog racing must evolve with that.

An “authentic bush race”

Rogan said the Quest’s cancellation gives Yukon mushers a chance to try something different.

“How about we have our own race with our own values,” she said.

“And, you know, it’s really an authentic bush run for Yukoners, it kind of says who we are, that we want a lot of mandatory rest and we don’t want people tricking their dogs and we We want people to have fun.

Mushers must start with at least eight dogs and no more than 12. They must finish with at least six dogs.

Rogan said there would be a purse for the winner, but it wouldn’t be big.