The Yukon Ultra is one race that is on my to do list. There is something magical about the Yukon such a huge wide open space, would be simply amazing to run there.
The Arctic Ultra marathon marks the final road access before the next finish line 100 miles north on the historic Dawson Overland Trail. A 30 mile section of lake-dotted landscape lies ahead with steady wind that scrubs the ice surface bare. Further down the Yukon River, the 300-mile ends after a loop via road and river to Pelly Farms. From there the inaugural 460 darts into the Black Hills and through the Klondike gold fields to Dawson City.
The journey, previously known only to Quest teams and Canadian Rangers, promises high adventure. After race director Robert Pollhammer announced the Black Hills extension, Mike Simon scouted it. In the final 60 miles “athletes have to climb slopes with clear avalanche sign,” he observed. “It changes from year to year, so route-finding skills are crucial.
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1 Lawrie // Nov 26, 2006 at 9:59 am
Yukon’s Arctic Utra has a summer sister event, the Yukon Gold Ultra. This past summer was the inaugral event. There are three stories from this great Yukon trail event posted on blogrush.wordpress.com–tale of two systems, ultra long time running, and when quitting isn’t an option. Check it out!