Yukon Quest

The idea for the Yukon Quest originated in April 1983 during a bar-room discussion among four Alaskans: LeRoy Shank, Roger Williams, Ron Rosser, and William "Willy" Lipps.

Yukon Quest International. [http://www.yukonquest.com/site/race-history-and-background/ "Yukon Quest race history"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226002741/http://www.yukonquest.com/site/race-history-and-background/ |date=2008-12-26 }}, Yukonquest.com. Accessed February 22, 2009.

The four proposed a thousand-mile sled dog race from Fairbanks, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon, to celebrate the Klondike Gold Rush-era mail and transportation routes between the two.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/founders-recall-origins-quest/ "Founders recall origins of the Yukon Quest"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006072520/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/founders-recall-origins-quest/ |date=2009-10-06 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 22, 2009.

They disdained the many checkpoints and stages of the Iditarod Sled Dog RaceFirth, p. 248 and envisioned an endurance race in which racers would rely on themselves and survival would be as important as speed. "We wanted more of a Bush experience, a race that would put a little woodsmanship into it", Shank said at the race's 25th anniversary.

This remained a vague plan until August 1983, when the first public organizational meetings took place. Fundraising began, and the start date for the race was optimistically moved forward from February 1985 to February 25, 1984. The entry fee for the first race was $500, and Murray Clayton of Haines, Alaska became the first person to enter when he paid his fee in October 1983. In December 1983, the race was officially named the Yukon Quest.Staff report. [http://www.newsminer.com/news/2008/dec/22/looking-back-fairbanks-dec-22/ "Looking back in Fairbanks — Dec. 22"]{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. December 22, 2008. Accessed May 14, 2009. Two more months of planning followed, and a crew of volunteers was organized to staff the checkpoints and place trail markers. On February 25, 1984, 26 racers left Fairbanks for Whitehorse. Each team was limited to a maximum of 12 dogs, and racers had to finish with no fewer than nine. They also had to haul {{convert|25|lb|kg|0}} of food per dog ({{convert|300|lb|kg|0}} total) to cover the long distances between checkpoints.

Numerous problems occurred in the first race. The leading mushers had to break trail because the snowmobile intended for the task broke down. Trail markers often were absent or misplaced, and no preparations had been made for racers in Dawson City until organizer Roger Williams flew there shortly after the race began. After Dawson City, mushers had their dogs and sleds trucked {{convert|60|mi|km}} to avoid a section of snowless trail, then had to deal with open sections of the Yukon River near Whitehorse due to above-average temperatures. The eventual winner of the inaugural race, Sonny Lindner, was greeted with little fanfare on his arrival. On the race's 25th anniversary, he recalled, "I think it was 90 percent (camping) trip and maybe a little bit of racing."

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1984/ "1984"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006234906/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1984/ |date=2009-10-06 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 22, 2009.

After the inaugural race, organizers improved the marking of the trail for the first contest held in the Whitehorse–Fairbanks direction. Musher Bill Cotter said, "The trail was so nice that it was difficult to keep from going too fast."

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1985/ "1985"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007012347/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1985/ |date=2009-10-07 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 26, 2009.

The race grew in popularity over the next few years. In 1988 and again in 1989, 47 mushers entered. In 1989, 31 completed the race—the most that have ever finished it. In 1990, Connie and Terri Frerichs became the first (and so far only) mother and daughter to compete in the same Yukon Quest: Terri finished 21st, beating her mother (22nd) by 26 minutes.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1990/ "1990"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007003630/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1990/ |date=2009-10-07 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 27, 2009.

The 1991 race saw eight teams withdraw in the first quarter because of an outbreak of a canine disease called the "Healy Virus". Thirty-five more dogs were sickened before the spread of the virus was halted by colder weather halfway through the race.Firth, p. 196 In 1992, unseasonable warmth caused problems in the first half of the race, and the second was affected by bitter cold.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1992/ "1992"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007012353/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1992/ |date=2009-10-07 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 27, 2009.

The head veterinarian of that race, Jeannie Olson, was replaced after she offered canine acupuncture to several mushers. Though not then forbidden by any rule, this violated equal-treatment guidelines because she did not offer the treatment to every musher.Firth, pp. 199–200 At the end of that race, George Cook became the first musher since 1984 to finish short of Whitehorse when open water on the Yukon River prevented him from continuing. Because he did not quit, race officials gave him the Red Lantern Award.Firth, p. 201

Following the 1992 race, controversy erupted when the Alaska board of directors of Yukon Quest International informed the Yukon board that they were considering dropping the Yukon half of the Quest because Yukon officials did not meet fundraising goals. Alaska officials also believed it would be easier to manage an Alaska-only race.Firth, p. 234 A crisis was averted when the Yukon board of directors agreed to raise more money and the two sides formed a joint board of directors.Firth, p. 235 The 1993 race was run as usual, but Jeff Mann had a more eventful race than most. When a moose attacked his dog team, he was forced to kill it with an axe, then butcher it according to Quest rules. Later, he was penalized 90 minutes for borrowing a reporter's head lantern. Finally, after the conclusion of the race, he was fined half his winnings when his dogs tested positive for ibuprofen.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1993/ "1993"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007011517/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1993/ |date=2009-10-07 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 27, 2009.

In the 1994 race, Alaskan Bruce Cosgrove was denied entry by Canadian customs officials in the pre-race verification process, the only time a musher has been denied entry into either Canada or Alaska. Cosgrove started the race, but quit before the border.Firth, p. 207 Following the race, controversy again erupted when Alaska Yukon Quest officials announced they would unilaterally eliminate Whitehorse from the Yukon Quest and run a cheaper Fairbanks-to-Dawson City race. Members of the Yukon Quest organization revolted against this and voted to evict the board members who had proposed it.

The 1995 race featured 22 mushers, of whom 13 finished.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1995/ "1995"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007003640/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1995/ |date=2009-10-07 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 27, 2009.

Budget problems caused the first prize to drop by 25% to $15,000, contributing to the low participation.Firth, p. 265 This problem was fixed for the 1996 race, with a first-place prize of $25,000. The 1997 race was won by Rick Mackey, brother of later Quest winner Lance Mackey; the two are the only brother-brother winning tandem in Quest history.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1997/ "1997"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008163649/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1997/ |date=2009-10-08 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 27, 2009.

Following the 1997 race, financial troubles again arose, this time on the Alaska side. Canadian organizers secured international sponsorship for the 1998 race, and when they refused to let this sponsorship money be used to pay debts accumulated in Alaska, members of the Alaska board threatened to host a separate competition. In the end, the Alaska board members were forced to resign, and a deal was worked out between the two sides.Firth, p. 236

File:Quest dogs.JPG.]]

The 1998 race was run on schedule and had 38 entrants.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1998/ "1998"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007001150/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1998/ |date=2009-10-07 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 27, 2009.

The 1999 race was won by Alaska Native Ramy Brooks, who defeated veterinarian Mark May by 10 minutes.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1999/ "1999"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007012358/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1999/ |date=2009-10-07 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 27, 2009.

In 2000, Aliy Zirkle became the first woman to win the Yukon Quest after taking 10 days, 22 hours, and 57 minutes to trek the {{convert|1000|mi|km|0}}.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/2000/ "2000"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007001157/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/2000/ |date=2009-10-07 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 27, 2009.

Also in 2000, Yukon Quest International added two races: the Quest 250 (today the Quest 300) and the Junior Quest (both described below). Competitors in each have gone on to participate in the Yukon Quest. The first of these graduated mushers competed in the 2001 race, won by Tim Osmar.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/2001/ "2001"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006234916/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/2001/ |date=2009-10-06 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 27, 2009.

In 2002, the Yukon Quest was won by Hans Gatt, an Austrian-born resident of British Columbia and the first European to win. This was the first of three consecutive wins, making him the first three-time winner.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/2002/ "2002"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007001200/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/2002/ |date=2009-10-07 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 27, 2009.

In 2003, Gatt's second win was truncated by a lack of snow near Whitehorse. Unseasonable warmth forced organizers to truck mushers and their dog teams to Braeburn before continuing what became a {{convert|921|mi|km|0}} competition. The 2004 race saw 31 mushers start the race and 20 finish, a drop-out rate of 35%.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/2004/ "2004"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007002359/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/2004/ |date=2009-10-07 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 27, 2009.

During the first 24 years of the competition, there were 776 starters and 513 finishers. Though 90 more mushers attempted the race in the first 12 years than in the next dozen runnings, there is little difference in the percentage that did not finish (35% in 1984–1995; 33% in 1996–2007).

In 2005, first-time participant Lance Mackey broke Hans Gatt's three-win streak. Mackey finished in 11 days, 32 seconds.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/2005/ "2005"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007001210/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/2005/ |date=2009-10-07 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 28, 2009.

The victory was the first of four straight wins by Mackey, who holds the record for most consecutive wins and is also the only four-time winner. During Mackey's second win, a fierce storm atop Eagle Summit caused a whiteout that forced seven mushers and dog teams to be evacuated by helicopter. Partly because of the storm, only 11 finished the 2006 race—the fewest ever.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/2006/ "2006"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007001216/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/2006/ |date=2009-10-07 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 28, 2009.

The finishers also endured an unusual course: because snow was scarce near Whitehorse, they doubled back and finished in Dawson City after racing the {{convert|1000|mi|km|0}}.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/20/mackey-wins-yukon-quest-nose/ "Mackey wins his fourth Yukon Quest by a nose"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706192340/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/20/mackey-wins-yukon-quest-nose/ |date=2008-07-06 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 20, 2008. Accessed February 28, 2009.

In 2007, three dogs were killed in unrelated incidents, but Mackey tied Gatt's record of three consecutive wins. One month later, Mackey became the first person to win both the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod in the same year.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/2007/ "2007"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007001222/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/2007/ |date=2009-10-07 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 28, 2009.

Mackey's fourth win came during the 2008 race, the first Yukon Quest to end in Whitehorse since 2003.

Because of the late 2000s recession, the 2009 Yukon Quest purse was reduced to $151,000 from a planned total of $200,000. As a result, the first prize was reduced to $30,000 from the planned $35,000.Saari, Matias. [http://www.newsminer.com/news/2009/feb/15/lead-mushers-reach-braeburn-end-first-day/ "Lead Yukon Quest mushers reach Braeburn by end of first day"]{{dead link|date=June 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 15, 2009. Accessed March 4, 2009. Partly because of this, Mackey withdrew before the race, making it easier for a newcomer to win.

Staff Report. [http://newsminer.com/news/2009/jan/24/mackey-offically-withdraws-yukon-quest/ "Mackey officially withdraws from Yukon Quest"]{{dead link|date=June 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. January 24, 2009. Accessed February 28, 2009.

In the closest one–two finish, German Sebastian Schnuelle completed the race faster than anyone before, finishing that year's {{convert|1016|mi|km|0|adj=on}} trip in 9 days, 23 hours, and 20 minutes. He was just four minutes ahead of Hugh Neff.

Following the 2009 race, officials decided to advance the competition's start date by one week to better accommodate mushers also participating in the Iditarod. The 2010 race started in Fairbanks on February 6, 2010,The Associated Press. [http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/3114477/article-Yukon-Quest-plans-earlier-start-date-in-2010 "Yukon Quest plans earlier start date in 2010"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714174525/http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/3114477/article-Yukon-Quest-plans-earlier-start-date-in-2010 |date=2011-07-14 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. August 6, 2009. Accessed March 6, 2011. and the early start date was kept for the 2011 competition. Hans Gatt won the 2010 race with the fastest finish in Yukon Quest history: 9 days and 26 minutes.Armstrong, Joshua. [http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/6358484/article-Gatt-claims-fourth-Yukon-Quest-championship-in-record-time "Gatt claims fourth Yukon Quest championship in record time"], Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 15, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2011. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315110614/http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/6358484/article-Gatt-claims-fourth-Yukon-Quest-championship-in-record-time |date=March 15, 2012 }} That race was marked by good weather, and few mushers dropped out. In 2011, conditions returned to normal, as violent storms blasted the trail and mushers during the second half of the race. Only 13 of the 25 competitors completed the race, tying the record for fewest finishers.

Caldwell, Suzanna. [http://mobile.newsminer.com/bookmark/11395841-And-the-winner-of-the-2011-Yukon-Quest-is- "And the winner of the 2011 Yukon Quest is ..."] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120712134105/http://mobile.newsminer.com/bookmark/11395841-And-the-winner-of-the-2011-Yukon-Quest-is- |date=2012-07-12 }} , Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 14, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2011.

In 2013, poor trail conditions over American Summit forced the Dawson to Eagle section of the course to be rerouted over the Yukon River.{{cite news|last=Richardson|first=Jeff|title=Home Sports Yukon Quest - Yukon Quest officials reroute section of race trail|url=http://www.newsminer.com/sports/yukon_quest/article_6e79bff4-6ddf-11e2-818f-001a4bcf6878.html|access-date=3 February 2013|newspaper=Fairbanks Daily News-Miner|date=3 February 2013}}

Brent Sass became the race's third three-time winner in 2020, as the race finished on schedule despite the growing COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last1=Hopkins-Hill |first1=John |title=Brent Sass wins the 2020 Yukon Quest |url=https://www.yukon-news.com/sports/brent-sass-wins-the-2020-yukon-quest/ |access-date=25 January 2021 |work=Yukon News |date=11 February 2020}} For 2021, race officials arranged to hold two separate races—one on the Canadian side of the border and the other on the Alaska side of the border—to abide by international quarantine. This plan was abandoned in September 2020 when the Canadian organizers canceled their race.{{cite news |last1=Bragg |first1=Beth |title=Pandemic takes Yukon out of the 2021 Yukon Quest sled dog race |url=https://www.adn.com/sports/2020/09/04/pandemic-takes-yukon-out-of-the-2021-yukon-quest-sled-dog-race/ |access-date=25 January 2021 |work=Anchorage Daily News |date=4 September 2020}} The American half of the 2021 race is still scheduled for February.

File:2009 Yukon Quest map.svg

The course of the race varies slightly from year to year because of ice conditions on the Yukon River, snowfall, and other factors. The length of the route has also fluctuated, ranging from {{convert|921|mi|km|0}}

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/2003/ "2003"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007001205/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/2003/ |date=2009-10-07 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 22, 2009.

in the weather-shortened 2003 race to {{convert|1023|mi|km|0}} in 1998.Balzar, p. 3 In even-numbered years, the race starts in Fairbanks and ends in Whitehorse. In odd-numbered years, the start and finish lines switch.Balzar, p. 5

The route follows the Yukon River for much of its course and travels over four mountains: King Solomon's Dome, Eagle Summit, American Summit, and Rosebud Summit.

Yukon Quest International. [http://www.yukonquest.com/site/yukon-quest-trail-map/ "Yukon Quest trail map/trail elevations"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107210331/http://www.yukonquest.com/site/yukon-quest-trail-map/ |date=2014-01-07 }}, Yukonquest.com. Accessed March 3, 2009.

Its length is equivalent to the distance between England and Africa, and the distance between some checkpoints is the breadth of Ireland.Firth, p. 7 Racers endure ice, snow, and extreme cold. Wildlife is common on the trail, and participants sometimes face challenges from moose and wolves.Killick, p. 10Firth, p. 209 Because of the harsh conditions, the Yukon Quest has been called the "most difficult sled dog race in the world"University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences. [http://www.sas.upenn.edu/sasalum/newsltr/fall2001/zirkle.html "Arctic Zirkle"], Penn Arts & Sciences Magazine. Fall 2001. Accessed February 25, 2009. and the "toughest race in the world".Balzar, p. 15Killick, pp. 7–8

{{quote box

| quote = Iditarod has stiffer competition, but the Quest trail is vastly harder, it's not just the mountains. It's the Yukon River itself. Iditarod only has about a hundred and thirty miles on the Yukon, the Quest stays on the river closer to four hundred miles.

| source = —Brian O'Donoghue, Honest Dogs. p. 263.

| align = left

| width =200

}}

Because of the extreme difficulty of the competition, several stages of preparation are needed. The first is the food drop, when mushers and race officials position caches of food and supplies at race checkpoints.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2009/feb/01/quest-mushers-put-strategy-food-staple-planning/ "Quest mushers put strategy into food, staple planning"]{{dead link|date=June 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 1, 2009. Accessed March 10, 2009.

This is necessary because mushers may only use their supplies along the route, reflecting the Gold Rush era, when dog trains would resupply at points along the trail.Balzar, p. 56 One week after the food drop, all dogs participating in the race undergo a preliminary veterinarian inspection to ensure they are healthy enough to race 1,000 miles in subarctic conditions.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2009/feb/08/most-dogs-get-go-ahead-yukon-quest-vet-check/ "Most dogs get the go-ahead at Yukon Quest vet check"]{{dead link|date=June 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 8, 2009. Accessed February 23, 2009.

The final stage of formal preparation is two days before the race, when mushers pick their starting order from a hat.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2009/feb/13/yukon-quest-mushers-stay-positive-after-drawing-st/ "Yukon Quest rookies stay positive after drawing starting positions"]{{dead link|date=June 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 13, 2009. Accessed March 10, 2009.

File:White Pass RR station.jpg train station in Whitehorse houses the Canadian offices of Yukon Quest International and is next to the Whitehorse end of the race.]]

The modern start/finish in Whitehorse is at Shipyards Park,{{cite web |title=2020 Yukon Quest Events |url=https://www.yukonquest.com/sites/default/files/2020%20Yukon%20Quest%20Events.pdf |publisher=Yukon Quest |access-date=14 February 2021}} but the traditional start took place near the former White Pass and Yukon Route train station, which today houses the Canadian offices of Yukon Quest International.Killick, p. 16 Shortly after leaving the starting line, racers follow the frozen Yukon River north out of town.Killick, p. 55 Crossing onto the Takhini River, mushers follow it northKillick, p. 56 to the Klondike-era Overland Trail. Racers take the trail to Braeburn Lodge, the first checkpoint.

This trail segment is about {{convert|100|mi|km|0}} long. The terrain consists of small hills and frequent frozen streams and lakes.Killick, pp. 57–58 When the race runs from Fairbanks to Whitehorse, the Braeburn checkpoint is the site of a mandatory eight-hour stop to ensure the health of mushers' dogs before the final stage. In odd years, mushers must take a four-hour rest here or at Carmacks. The three minute start time difference is adjusted here. In even years, mushers must take an eight (8) hour rest here before continuing on for the last {{convert|100|mi|km|0}} of the race.

In the first leg of this, mushers must travel from Bareburn to Carmacks which is {{convert|39|mi|km|0}}. In odd years, mushers have the option of taking their four-hour rest here or at Bareburn. The three minute difference start time is also adjusted if the musher chooses to take their four-hour rest here.

File:Braeburn Lodge.jpg is the first checkpoint in the Whitehorse–Fairbanks direction.]]

Coming out of Braeburn, competitors cross the Klondike Highway and proceed east for about {{convert|10|mi|km|0}} to Coghlan Lake. From there they turn north, then northwest, and travel along a chain of lakes that stretches for about {{convert|30|mi|km|0}}.Killick, p. 80 They then enter a notorious stretch of heavily forested hills nicknamed "Pinball Alley"

Yukon Quest International. [http://www.yukonquest.com/site/news-articles/?articleid=676 "Majority of mushers have reached Carmacks"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220152917/http://www.yukonquest.com/site/news-articles/?articleid=676 |date=2012-02-20 }}, Yukonquest.com. February 12, 2007. Accessed March 10, 2009.

for the way the rough terrain bounces sleds into trees, rocks, and other obstacles. Trees are so scarred from repeated sled impacts that they have lost their bark on one side.Killick, p. 81 In 1998, racer Brenda Mackey was jolted around so much by the rough trail that her sled became wedged between two trees, forcing her to cut one down to continue.Balzar, p. 69.

After Pinball Alley, racers briefly mush along the Yukon River before climbing the riverbank to the Carmacks checkpoint.Killick, p. 97 They then follow a road for about {{convert|15|mi|km|0}} and turn onto a firebreak trail. After departing the trail, they travel alongside and across the Yukon River to McCabe Creek, the first dog drop on the Whitehorse–Fairbanks route.Killick, p. 106 Leaving McCabe Creek, the race trail parallels a driveway and the Klondike Highway for several miles before turning north to cross the Pelly Burn, an area scorched by a wildfire in 1995.Killick, p. 112 Because the fire destroyed much of the forest in the area, this portion of the trail has few obstacles and is considered fast. From the McCabe Creek site it is about {{convert|32|mi|km|0}} to Pelly Crossing.Schandelmeier, p. 2

File:Pelly Crossing.jpg is the last checkpoint before Dawson City.]]

The stretch between Pelly Crossing and Dawson City is the greatest distance between checkpoints of any sled dog competition in the world.Killick, p. 132 Between the two sites are {{convert|201|mi|km|0}} of open trail, marked only by a dog drop at Scroggie Creek, an abandoned gold-mining site activated only during the Yukon Quest.

From Pelly Crossing, mushers travel west on the frozen Pelly River, or on a road that parallels the river if ice conditions are poor. At Stepping Stone, shortly before the Pelly and Yukon rivers meet, they can rest at a hospitality stop before turning north.Killick, p. 133 From Stepping Stone to Scroggie Creek the trail consists of a mining road or "cat" road, named for the Caterpillar tracked mining vehicles that use it. Before organizers coordinated schedules with the mining equipment operators, racers often had to contend with heavy machinery blocking the trail or turning it into a muddy path.Firth, pp. 140–144 The Scroggie Creek dog drop is at the confluence of the Stewart River and Scroggie Creek.Killick, pp. 140–141

After Scroggie Creek, the trail switches from a westerly direction to almost directly north. At this point, mushers enter the gold-mining district surrounding Dawson City. From the Stewart River adjacent to Scroggie, the trail climbs, crossing the Yukon Territory's Black Hills.Schandelmeier, p. 3 {{convert|50|mi|km|spell=In}} from Dawson City and {{convert|55|mi|km|0}} from Scroggie Creek, it crosses the Indian River, and mushers begin the climb to King Solomon's Dome, the highest point ({{convert|4002|ft|m|0}}) on the trail. The trail ascends more gradually in the Whitehorse–Fairbanks route than in the opposite direction, where mushers have to endure several switchbacks.Killick, pp. 147–148 When mushers start in Whitehorse, they already have gained several thousand feet from the ascent into the Black Hills, including a climb over {{convert|3,550|ft|m|adj=on}} Eureka Dome.O'Donoghue, p. 116 The main difficulties come during the descent from King Solomon's Dome to Bonanza Creek, the epicenter of the Klondike Gold Rush.Killick, p. 148 After reaching the creek, mushers thread through an area of mining wasteO'Donoghue, pp. 136–137 and follow the Klondike River to Dawson City, the halfway point of the race. They are required to rest for 36 hours in Dawson City as a halfway-rest.Killick, p. 153

The distance from Dawson City to Eagle, the first checkpoint in Alaska for the Whitehorse–Fairbanks route, is {{convert|144|mi|km|0}}.Killick, p. 168 Mushers must rest for four hours in Eagle.{{Cite web|url=http://www.yukonquest.com/race-central/yukon-quest-trail/race-action|title=The Race in Action|website=Yukon Quest|access-date=2016-03-26|archive-date=2016-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315210713/http://yukonquest.com/race-central/yukon-quest-trail/race-action|url-status=dead}}

Racers exit Dawson City on the Yukon River and follow it for about {{convert|50|mi|km|0}} to the Fortymile River hospitality stop. The river's name comes from its distance from Fort Reliance, an abandoned trading post established in 1874.Killick, p. 173 From the hospitality stop, mushers travel southwest on the Fortymile River in what is one of the coldest portions of the race, because of cold air sinking to the bottom of the river valley.Killick, p. 186 The trail on the river crosses the United States–Canada border, noticeable only because of the border vista, a strip of land cleared of all foliage.Killick, p. 192 Shortly past the border, the river turns northwest, and mushers leave its frozen surface when it meets the Taylor Highway, a road closed to automobile traffic during the winter. As the trail follows the highway for {{convert|49|mi|km|0}} conditions are often hazardous, with high winds and drifting snow that can obscure trail markers. After climbing the {{convert|3,420|ft|m|adj=on}} American Summit, the trail gradually descends {{convert|20|mi|km|0}} to Eagle, on the banks of the Yukon River.

File:Slaven's Roadhouse.jpg checkpoint of the 2005 Yukon Quest.]]

The route from Eagle to Central covers a distance of {{convert|233|mi|km|0}}. In winter, Eagle is buffeted by high winds and drifting snow funneled through the town by nearby Eagle Bluff, which stands {{convert|300|ft|m}} above the Yukon River.Killick, pp. 195–196 Because it is the first stop in the United States, competitors are greeted at Eagle by a United States Department of Homeland Security official who checks passports and entry documents.Killick, p. 195

After leaving Eagle, mushers travel northwest for {{convert|159|mi|km|0}} on the Yukon River, except for a few short portages. During this stretch, two hospitality stops are available. The first is {{convert|28|mi|km}} from Eagle at Trout Creek.Killick, p. 217 The next is Biederman's Cabin, the former home of Charlie Biederman, one of the last people to deliver mail by sled dog. (The final sled dog mail route was canceled in 1963, and Biederman's sled hangs in the National Postal Museum.)Balzar, p. 170Killick, p. 225 A dog drop site is located {{convert|18|mi|km}} from Biederman's Cabin at Slaven's Cabin, a historic site operated by the National Park Service.Killick, p. 229 Some {{convert|60|mi|km}} past Slaven's Cabin mushers arrive in Circle,Schandelmeier, p. 4 so named because its founders believed it was on the Arctic Circle. (Circle is actually about {{convert|50|mi|km|0}} south of that line.)Killick, p. 233

From Circle, it is {{convert|74|mi|km|0}} to the checkpoint in Central. Mushers follow Birch Creek south until just before Circle Hot Springs. This area, along with the Fortymile stretch, is considered among the coldest on the trail, and mushers are advised to prepare for {{convert|-60|F|C|0}} temperatures. Turning west, they travel through frozen swamps before reaching the Steese Roadhouse checkpoint in Central.Killick, p. 238 In Central during even years, mushers have the option of taking their four-hour rest here or at Mile 101. If they choose to, the three minute start difference will be subtracted from their rest time.{{Cite web|url=http://www.yukonquest.com/race-central/yukon-quest-trail|title=Yukon Quest Trail|website=Yukon Quest|access-date=2016-03-26}}

File:Steese Roadhouse Alaska.jpg checkpoint of the Yukon Quest.]]

From Central to the final (or first, in the Fairbanks–Whitehorse direction) checkpoint in Two Rivers is {{convert|114|mi|km|0}}. Despite the comparative closeness of the checkpoints and the location of a dog drop between them, this is considered the most difficult stretch of dog sled trail in the world.Killick, p. 246 At this point, mushers must climb the two steepest and most difficult mountains on the trail: Eagle Summit and Rosebud Summit.

After leaving Central, mushers head west, paralleling the Steese Highway, which connects Central and Circle with Fairbanks. The trail travels through frozen swamps, mining areas, and firebreaks for about {{convert|20|mi|km}}. Mushers then encounter the Steese Highway for a second time before crossing several creeks to begin the ascent of Eagle Summit. They eventually climb above the tree line and are exposed to the wind as they continue upward. The weather atop Eagle Summit is harsh as this is a convergence zone between the Yukon Flats to the north and the low ground of the Tanana Valley to the south. A differential in the weather within the two valleys causes high winds and precipitation when there is moisture in the atmosphere.Balzar, p. 253 The final few hundred yards of the climb consists of a 30-degree slope often scoured to bare rock and tundra by the fierce wind.Balzar, pp. 252–254 The crossing point itself is a symmetrical saddle, with two peaks of similar height separated by {{convert|100|yd|m|0}}.Killick, pp. 246–247 The south side of Eagle Summit is not as steep, and mushers generally have an easier time reaching the checkpoint at Mile 101. When descending the steep northern slope of Eagle Summit on the Fairbanks–Whitehorse route, many mushers wrap their sled runners in chains to increase friction and slow the plunge.Killick, p. 249

File:Eagle Summit Alaska.jpg, seen in August 2008 looking north]]

The Mile 101 checkpoint is a cabin at mile marker 101 (the distance from Fairbanks) on the Steese Highway. At Mile 101, mushers have the option of taking their four-hour rest during even years. They can also take the rest at Central during even years. Again, the three minute start difference will be subtracted from the race if the musher desires to take their rest here. The cabin gives mushers the opportunity for a short rest between Eagle Summit and Rosebud Summit.Killick, p. 254 The ascent of Rosebud Summit begins about {{convert|10|mi|km}} south of the dog drop. It consists of a gradual climb of {{convert|5|mi|km}} followed by a steep descent into the valley that contains the north fork of the Chena River. The descent also brings mushers back into forested terrain.Killick, p. 256 The trail then parallels a road for about {{convert|27|mi|km|0}} before entering the final checkpoint at Twin Bears Campground near Two Rivers.

File:Twin Bears Campground.jpg checkpoint in the 2009 race.]]

Two Rivers is the final checkpoint in the Whitehorse–Fairbanks route. Mushers are required to rest at least eight hours in Two Rivers in odd years to ensure the health of their dogs during the final leg of the race. The terrain in this stretch is among the easiest on the trail, with gently rolling hills and forest which gradually change into an urban landscape as racers approach Fairbanks.Killick, p. 261 The greatest challenge for racers in the Two Rivers area is distinguishing the Yukon Quest trail from other sled dog trails, many of which have similar markings.Balzar, p. 276 Mushers have occasionally been deceived by these markings and taken wrong turns.O'Donoghue, p. 312

Beyond Two Rivers, the trail reaches the Chena River northwest of Fairbanks. This is the final stretch, and mushers use the river to enter Fairbanks and reach the finish line,Killick, p. 262 which is on the river itself in the middle of downtown Fairbanks. Regardless of the timing of the finish, several thousand spectators typically gather to watch the first musher cross the finish line.

File:Yukon Quest panorama.jpg{{clear}}

The 1984 route was slightly different from today's. It had just one non-checkpoint dog drop, at the Mile 101 location,Firth, p. 237 and bypassed American Summit, Pelly Junction, and Braeburn. Instead of running through Braeburn, mushers traveled across Lake Laberge for {{convert|60|mi|km}} between Whitehorse and Minto.Firth, p. 279 The inaugural race also included a checkpoint at Chena Hot Springs Resort near Fairbanks. This site was moved to nearby Angel Creek after mushers complained that the hot springs melted nearby snow, causing their dogs to become wet—an extreme hazard in sub-freezing temperatures.Firth, p. 19 Two additional dog drops were added for the 1994 race: Biederman's Cabin (since replaced by Slaven's Cabin) and McCabe Creek. In 1995, the Whitehorse end of the trail was moved away from Lake Laberge to near the Takhini River.Firth, pp. 237–238 Additional changes that year included the rerouting of the trail around the southern and eastern sides of King Solomon's Dome south of Dawson CityFirth, p. 238 and the introduction of the Scroggie Creek dog drop site on the shore of the Stewart River.

In 1996, the trail was rerouted through Pelly Crossing and a checkpoint was added there, and the Lake Laberge stretch was replaced by a route through Braeburn and along the Dawson-Whitehorse Overland Trail. In 1997, mushers were routed through the Chena River Lakes Flood Control Project and to the Alaska town of North Pole before continuing on to Fairbanks.Firth, p. 240 The North Pole loop was removed before the 2009 race, and mushers were directed through Two Rivers instead.

Willomitzer, Gerry. [http://www.yukonquest.com/site/news-articles/?articleid=1699 "Tuesday morning update"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220152925/http://www.yukonquest.com/site/news-articles/?articleid=1699 |date=2012-02-20 }}, Yukon Quest International. February 24, 2009. Accessed February 25, 2009.

Starting in the 2010 race, the Mile 101 location was upgraded from a dog drop to a full-fledged checkpoint. In the past several races, the Two Rivers checkpoint has changed locations annually: from a lodge to a campground, and then to a gravel pit in 2011.

The Yukon Quest trail is in the subarctic climate range. In Fairbanks, the average February temperature is {{convert|-3.8|F|C|0}}, but {{convert|-40|F|C|0}} is not uncommon, and temperatures have dropped to {{convert|-58|F|C|0}}.

Alaska Climate Research Center. [http://climate.gi.alaska.edu/Climate/Location/Interior/Fairbanks.html "Climatological data: Fairbanks International Airport"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111004909/http://climate.gi.alaska.edu/Climate/Location/Interior/Fairbanks.html |date=2013-01-11 }}, climate.gi.alaska.edu. Accessed February 25, 2009.

An average of {{convert|7.3|in|0}} of snow falls in February, with average snowpack depth of {{convert|22|in|0}}.

Outside the sheltered urban areas of Fairbanks, Whitehorse, and Dawson City, temperatures and snowfall are often more extreme. During the 2008 race, competitors started in {{convert|-40|F|C|0}} temperatures in Fairbanks and then faced winds of {{convert|25|mph|0}} on the trail, resulting in severe wind chills.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/08/quest-trail-fraught-difficulties/ "Quest trail fraught with difficulties"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20070423005625/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/08/quest-trail-fraught-difficulties/ |date=2007-04-23 }} , Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 8, 2008. Accessed February 25, 2009.

At higher elevations, such as the crossings of Rosebud and Eagle summits, whiteout blizzards are common. In the 2006 race, 12 teams were struck by a massive storm that eventually caused the evacuation of seven teams by helicopter.

C. Talbott. [http://newsminerextra.com/quest06/news/2006/02/15/mushers-recount-summit-adventures/ "Mushers recount summit adventures"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227080504/http://newsminerextra.com/quest06/news/2006/02/15/mushers-recount-summit-adventures/ |date=2012-02-27 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 15, 2006. Accessed March 4, 2009.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/11/eagle-summit-more-merciful-time-around/ "Eagle Summit is more merciful this time around"]{{dead link|date=June 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 11, 2008. Accessed February 25, 2009.

Saari, Matias. "Crossing of Eagle Summit brings back memories for mushers", Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 12, 2008. Accessed February 25, 2009. In 2009, mushers endured winds up to {{convert|50|mph|0}}, blowing snow, and subzero temperatures atop Eagle Summit,

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2009/feb/24/troubles-eagle-summit-dropp-william-kleedehn-yukon/ "Troubles on Eagle Summit drop William Kleedehn from Yukon Quest lead"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20090227100124/http://newsminer.com/news/2009/feb/24/troubles-eagle-summit-dropp-william-kleedehn-yukon/ |date=2009-02-27 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 24, 2009. Accessed February 25, 2009.

where conditions had been even worse in a storm during the 1988 race, when wind chill temperatures dropped below {{convert|-100|F|C|0}}.Firth, p. 39

The extreme temperatures pose a serious health hazard. Frostbite is common, as is hypothermia. In the 1988 Yukon Quest, Jeff King suffered an entirely frozen hand because of nerve damage from an earlier injury which left him unable to feel the cold. King said his hand became "like something from a frozen corpse".Jenkins, p. 195 In 1989, King and his team drove through a break in the Yukon River in {{convert|-38|F|C}} temperatures. Frozen by the extreme cold, King managed to reach a cabin and thaw out.Jenkins, pp. 195–204 Other racers have suffered permanent damage from the cold: Lance Mackey suffered frostbitten feet during the 2008 Yukon Quest,

Medred, Craig. [http://www.adn.com/2693/story/342356.html "Mackey proves Iditarod/Quest wins no fluke"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090610035804/http://www.adn.com/2693/story/342356.html |date=2009-06-10 }}, Anchorage Daily News. March 12, 2008. Accessed August 3, 2009.

and Hugh Neff lost the tips of several toes in the 2004 race.

Cremata, Andrew. [http://www.skagwaynews.com/021105MusherProfile.html "'Dream Quest' for Dyea dogs"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120204027/http://www.skagwaynews.com/021105MusherProfile.html |date=2008-11-20 }} , Skagway News. February 11, 2005. Accessed August 3, 2009.

{{main|List of Yukon Quest competitors}}

File:Yukon Quest participants graph.svg

Since the race's inception in 1984, 353 people from 11 countries have competed in the Yukon Quest, some many times. The race attracts from 21 (in 1996)

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1996/ "1996"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007011523/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1996/ |date=2009-10-07 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed March 4, 2009.

to 47 (in 1988 and 1989)

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1989/ "1989"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007002351/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/06/1989/ |date=2009-10-07 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 6, 2008. Accessed February 27, 2009.

mushers each year. Of the 776 entries from 1984 to 2007, 263 (34%) did not finish. The racers have come from various professions: taxicab drivers, swimming instructors, coal miners, tax assessors, lawyers, fur trappers, journalists, and a car salesman have all entered.

At the end of the competition, racers are given awards for feats performed on the trail. The foremost is the championship award, given to the winner. Accompanying this is the Golden Harness Award, given to the winner's two lead sled dogs.

Yukon Quest International. [http://www.yukonquest.com/site/past-race-results-hall-of-fame/ "Musher hall of fame"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131223192617/http://www.yukonquest.com/site/past-race-results-hall-of-fame/ |date=2013-12-23 }}, Yukonquest.com. Accessed March 4, 2009.

The next award is the Veterinarians Choice Award, which is voted on by race veterinarians and given to the musher who took the best care of their dogs during the race. Other awards include the Challenge of the North Award—given to the musher who "exemplifies the spirit of the Yukon Quest"—and the Sportsmanship Award, given to the most sportsmanlike competitor, as chosen by a vote of the mushers.

The Rookie of the Year Award is given to the highest-finishing first-time competitor. The Dawson Award, consisting of four ounces of gold, is given to the first musher to reach Dawson City (the midpoint) who also finishes the competition. The final award is the Red Lantern, given to the last official finisher of the year's race. Two awards have been discontinued: the Kiwanis Award, given to the first musher to cross the Alaska–Yukon border, and the Mayor's Award, given to the Yukon Quest champion by the Mayor of Fairbanks.

The 2011 Yukon Quest champion is Alaskan Dallas Seavey, who finished the race in 10 days, 11 hours and 53 minutes. Seavey, who has run the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race several times, won the Yukon Quest in his rookie year and therefore also was named rookie of the year.Caldwell, Suzanna. [http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/11420464/article-Rookie-mushing-progeny-Dallas-Seavey-wins-2011-Yukon-Quest?instance=yukon_quest_bullets "Rookie mushing progeny Dallas Seavey wins 2011 Yukon Quest"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714174333/http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/11420464/article-Rookie-mushing-progeny-Dallas-Seavey-wins-2011-Yukon-Quest?instance=yukon_quest_bullets |date=2011-07-14 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 16, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2011. Haliburton, Ontario musher Hank DeBruin won the 2011 Red Lantern Award by finishing the race in 13 days, 10 hours, and 54 minutes.Caldwell, Suzanna. [http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/11512697/article-Red-Lantern-winner--Quest-musher-Hank-DeBruin-makes-it-to-Fairbanks?instance=home_news_window_left_top_3 "Red Lantern winner, Quest musher Hank DeBruin makes it to Fairbanks"], Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 19, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2011. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315110454/http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/11512697/article-Red-Lantern-winner--Quest-musher-Hank-DeBruin-makes-it-to-Fairbanks?instance=home_news_window_left_top_3 |date=March 15, 2012 }} For the first time in Yukon Quest history, more than one musher received the sportsmanship award. Following the 2011 race, Allen Moore, Brent Sass and Mike Ellis shared the honor. Ken Anderson, who reached Dawson City third, was the only one of the top three at that point to finish, and thus received the Dawson Award. Wasilla musher Kelley Griffin received the Spirit of the North award, and the Veterinarian's Choice award was given to Mike Ellis and his wife/handler Sue Ellis.Caldwell, Suzanna. [http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/11512725/article-Yukon-Quest-honors-its-contestants-at-banquet?instance=home_most_popular4 "Yukon Quest honors its contestants at banquet"], Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Retrieved March 6, 2011. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315110508/http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/11512725/article-Yukon-Quest-honors-its-contestants-at-banquet?instance=home_most_popular4 |date=March 15, 2012 }}

{{see also|Sled dog}}

File:Leaders.JPG in harness]]

Dogs in the Yukon Quest come in a variety of sizes and breeds, though the most common are Alaskan and Siberian Huskies weighing between {{convert|45|and|70|lb|kg}}.

Yukon Quest International. [http://www.yukonquest.com/site/modern-sled-dog/ "The modern sled dog"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226050558/http://www.yukonquest.com/site/modern-sled-dog/ |date=2013-12-26 }}, Yukonquest.com. Accessed March 11, 2009.

The Alaskan Husky is not a recognized breed, but an amalgam of several different types bred for speed, stamina, and strength.WNET. [https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/sled-dogs-an-alaskan-epic/introduction/3146/ "Sled dogs: An Alaskan epic"], PBS.org. Accessed March 11, 2009. Siberian Huskies are a breed recognized by the American Kennel Club and are characterized by thick coats, stiff ears, a fox-like tail, and medium size.American Kennel Club, Inc. "[http://www.akc.org/breeds/siberian_husky/index.cfm AKC meet the breeds: Siberian husky]", AKC.org. Accessed March 11, 2009. Siberian Huskies are typically larger and slower than their Alaskan counterparts,Killick, p. 74 causing mushers to nickname the breed "Slowberians",Balzar, p. 110 but have more pulling power. The difference was seen during the 1998 Yukon Quest, when Bruce Lee's team of Alaskan Huskies competed against André Nadeau's team of Siberians. Lee's team was faster than Nadeau's over short stretches, but Lee had to rest more often. Nadeau had a head start out of the final checkpoint, but Lee was able to overtake him.Killick, p. 255

The Yukon Quest encourages participants' self-sufficiency,Firth, p. 28 and one of its objectives is "[to] encourage and facilitate knowledge and application of the widest variety of bush skills and practices that form the foundation of Arctic survival."

Yukon Quest International. [http://www.yukonquest.com/site/mission-statement/ "Mission statement and philosophy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100516072905/http://www.yukonquest.com/site/mission-statement/ |date=2010-05-16 }}, Yukonquest.com. Accessed February 22, 2009.

On the trail, racers may not accept outside assistance and are limited in the changes they may make to their teams and sled.2009 Yukon Quest Rules, p. 6 There are 10 checkpoints and four additional locations where sick or injured dogs may be dropped from a team. Only four checkpoint stops are mandated: a 36-hour stop at Dawson City; a four-hour stop in Eagle, Alaska; a two-hour stop at the first checkpoint; and an eight-hour stop at the last.2009 Yukon Quest Rules, p. 5

As well as food, camping equipment, and dog-care gear, mushers must carry an axe, a cold-weather sleeping bag, a pair of snowshoes, veterinary records, Quest promotional material, a cooker, and eight booties per dog.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2009/feb/14/yukon-quest-rules-range-practical-peculiar/ "Yukon Quest rules range from the practical to the peculiar"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216041102/http://newsminer.com/news/2009/feb/14/yukon-quest-rules-range-practical-peculiar/ |date=2009-02-16 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 14, 2009. Accessed February 23, 2009.

Included in the required promotional material are numerous event covers intended to reflect the Quest's ancestry as a mail route.

Moran, Tom. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/10/leaving-stamp-quest/ "Leaving a stamp on the Quest"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214095517/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/10/leaving-stamp-quest/ |date=2008-02-14 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 10, 2008. Accessed February 23, 2009.

One unusual rule requires mushers to immediately butcher any game animal killed during the race. This rule was applied in 1993, when a musher was attacked by a moose and killed it to protect himself.

Competitors must meet a series of written and unwritten requirements before entering. The first is that each musher must have a team of dogs. The race does not furnish any dogs, but participants have been known to lease or borrow dog teams rather than raise their own. In the 2009 Yukon Quest, for example, Newton Marshall from the Jamaica Dogsled Team borrowed a dog team from Canadian Hans Gatt.Saari, Matias. [http://www.newsminer.com/news/2009/feb/12/jamaican-musher-prepares-yukon-quest/ "Jamaican musher prepares for Yukon Quest"], Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 12, 2009. Accessed May 21, 2009. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415170710/http://www.newsminer.com/news/2009/feb/12/jamaican-musher-prepares-yukon-quest/ |date=April 15, 2009 }} Each competitor must have completed at least two sled dog races sanctioned by Yukon Quest International: one of {{convert|200|mi|km}} and one of {{convert|300|mi|km}}.2009 Yukon Quest Rules, p. 1. Sanctioned races include the Copper Basin 300 and the Tustumena 200, Alaska races held before the Quest.Copper Basin 300, Inc. [http://www.cb300.com/ "Copper Basin 300 Sled Dog Race"], cb300.com. Accessed May 21, 2009.Tustumena 200. [http://www.tustumena200.com/ "Tustumena 200 Alaska Dog Sled Race"], tustumena200.com. May 11, 2009. Accessed May 21, 2009.

Those who have completed at least {{convert|500|mi|km|0}} of Quest-sanctioned racing are eligible to send in an entry form. This requires entrants to certify that they are older than 18, have not been censured by the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, and have never been convicted of animal abuse or neglect. They must pay $1,500 or $2,000 for late entries.

File:Dog care after the 2009 Yukon Quest.jpgs examine two dog teams after the 2009 Yukon Quest.]]

Many of the Quest's rules are intended to ensure the health of dogs in hazardous conditions. This process begins before the race, when all dogs must be examined by race veterinarians, who certify that the animals are suited and healthy enough to participate. Before the race, dog equipment also must be checked by race officials. Padded harnesses are required, each musher must carry an appropriate amount of food, and additional food supplies must be in position at checkpoints.

Mushers must start the race with at most fourteen dogs and finish with no fewer than six in harness (additional dogs may be carried in the sled basket). Dogs are visually examined by veterinarians stationed at every checkpoint, and mushers can be ejected and banned from the race for mistreating dogs. Dog whips and forced feeding are forbidden.2009 Yukon Quest Rules, p. 7 Participating dogs may not receive injections during the race or be under the influence of performance-enhancing substances such as steroids. The race marshal may remove any team from the race for violations of these rules or substandard dog care.

Organization officials and race veterinarians award one team each year with the Humanitarian Award for exemplary dog care. In 2023 the team of Amanda Otto, who placed second, was in such good condition at the end of the race, still yelping and pulling, that she was awarded in the first unanimous decision in race history.{{Cite web |title=Sass Wins, Otto Surprise Second |url=https://fm.kuac.org/show/yukon-quest/2023-02-09/sass-wins-otto-surprise-second |access-date=2023-06-29 |website=KUAC-TV |language=en}}

The Yukon Quest's rules allow race officials latitude on whether to assess a time penalty or monetary fine on mushers who violate one or more regulations.2009 Yukon Quest Rules, p. 2 The most serious penalties can be assessed for mistreating dogs. Racers have been forcibly removed from the race for inadequate dog care; the most recent instance of this took place in 2008, when Donald Smidt was removed.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/11/quest-legend-turner-scratches-leaving-22-mushers-c/ "Quest legend Turner scratches, leaving 22 mushers competing"]{{dead link|date=June 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 11, 2008. Accessed February 23, 2009.

More common are minor time and monetary penalties. For example, Dan Kaduce was fined $500 of his eventual $9,000 winnings for missing roll call at a mandatory meeting in 2007. Fines of $500 also have been levied for not attending the finish banquet, littering, not wearing start and finish bibs, or losing veterinary records. These minor penalties can have an effect on the race. In 2009, Hugh Neff, then in second place, was penalized two hours for mushing on the Circle Hot Springs road.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2009/feb/23/second-place-yukon-quest-hugh-neff-penalized-two-h/ "Second-place Yukon Quest musher Hugh Neff is penalized two hours"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226172650/http://newsminer.com/news/2009/feb/23/second-place-yukon-quest-hugh-neff-penalized-two-h/ |date=2009-02-26 }}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 23, 2009. Accessed February 24, 2009.

As a result, he finished four minutes behind Sebastian Schnuelle, the winner.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2009/feb/24/schnuelle-sets-record-yukon-quest-win-neff-only-4-/ "Schnuelle sets record in Yukon Quest win; Neff only 4 minutes behind"]{{Dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 24, 2009. Accessed February 24, 2009.

== Junior Yukon Quest and Yukon Quest 300 ==

In addition to the main 1,000-mile sled dog race, the Yukon Quest organization operates two shorter races: the Junior Yukon Quest and the Yukon Quest 300.

Yukon Quest International. [http://www.yukonquest.com/site/other-yukon-quest-races/ "Other Yukon Quest races"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702110113/http://www.yukonquest.com/site/other-yukon-quest-races/ |date=2013-07-02 }}, Yukonquest.com. Accessed February 23, 2009.

The two began in 2000, though in its first three years the Quest 300 was only 250 miles and thus known as the Quest 250.

The Junior Yukon Quest, or Junior Quest, is a {{convert|135|mi|km|adj=on}} race for mushers older than 14 but under 18.

Staff Report. [http://newsminer.com/news/2009/feb/07/six-mushers-set-race-jr-quest/ "Six mushers set to race in Jr. Quest"]{{Dead link|date=June 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 7, 2009. Accessed February 23, 2009.

Unlike the Yukon Quest, the Junior Quest does not change locations and always starts and ends in Fairbanks. It is billed as an opportunity for young racers to experience a mid-distance sled dog race. They must plan a food drop, camp away from checkpoints, and carry much of the same equipment as mushers in the Yukon Quest and Yukon Quest 300.

The Yukon Quest 300 is a {{convert|300|mi|km|adj=on}} race along the regular Yukon Quest trail. It alternates starting locations along with the main race and is intended for less-experienced mushers training for longer races. The race is also a qualifier for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and the following year's Yukon Quest. Several mushers, including Fort Yukon Native Josh Cadzow, have used the race as a trial before entering the longer races.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/12/prepping-big-race-come/ "Prepping for the big race to come"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20070423005625/http://newsminer.com/news/2008/feb/12/prepping-big-race-come/ |date=2007-04-23 }} , Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 12, 2008. Accessed February 23, 2009.

Saari, Matias. [http://newsminer.com/news/2009/feb/18/crispin-studer-takes-first-quest-300/ "Crispin Studer takes first in Quest 300"]{{Dead link|date=June 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 18, 2009. Accessed February 23, 2009.

In 2009, the race was capped at 25 entries.Saari, Matias. [http://www.newsminer.com/news/2008/oct/29/mushers-quickly-fill-yukon-quest-300/ "Mushers quickly fill Yukon Quest 300"]{{dead link|date=June 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. October 29, 2008. Accessed February 23, 2009. When the Quest 300 starts in Whitehorse, its course follows the main Yukon Quest trail until the Stepping Stone hospitality stop. From there, it turns southwest, ending in Minto Landing, Yukon. The Fairbanks route follows the main trail to Circle, then reverses course, ending in Central.

• American Dog Derby
• Carting
• Finnmarksløpet (Norway)
• Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race (Alaska)
• La Grande Odyssée (France and Switzerland)
• List of sled dog races
• Yukon Arctic Ultra

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• Balzar, John. Yukon Alone: The World's Toughest Adventure Race. New York: Henry Holt, 2000. {{ISBN|978-0-8050-5950-2}}. Also titled The Lure of the Quest: One Man's Story of the 1025-mile Dog-sled Race across North America's Frozen Wastes. London: Headline, 2000. {{ISBN|0-7472-7145-3}}.
• Firth, John. Yukon Quest: The 1,000-Mile Dog Sled Race Through the Yukon and Alaska. Whitehorse, Yukon: Lost Moose Publishing, 1998. {{ISBN|978-1-896758-03-9}}.
• Jenkins, Peter. Looking For Alaska. New York: St Martin's, 2001. {{ISBN|0-312-26178-0}}.
• Killick, Adam. Racing the White Silence: On the Trail of the Yukon Quest. Toronto: Penguin Canada, 2005. {{ISBN|978-0-14-100373-3}}.
• O'Donoghue, Brian Patrick. Honest Dogs: A Story of Triumph and Regret from the World's Toughest Sled Dog Race. Kenmore, Wash.: Epicenter Press, 1999. {{ISBN|978-0-945397-78-6}}.
• Schandelmeier, John. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120220153008/http://www.yukonquest.com/user-uploads/basicpage-files/09%20Guide%20to%20the%20YQ%20Trail.pdf 2009 Guide to the Yukon Quest Trail] (PDF), Yukonquest.com. Accessed March 13, 2009.
• Yukon Quest International. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120220153013/http://www.yukonquest.com/user-uploads/basicpage-files/2009%20Yukon%20Quest%20Rules%20_Final.pdf 2009 Yukon Quest Rules] (PDF), Yukonquest.com. Accessed February 22, 2009.

• Berton, Pierre. The Klondike Quest: A Photographic Essay 1897-1899. North York, Ont.: Boston Mills, 2005. {{ISBN|978-1-55046-453-5}}.
• Cook, Ann Mariah. Running North: A Yukon Adventure. Chapel Hill. N.C.: Algonquin Books, 1998. {{ISBN|978-1-56512-253-6}}.
• Dick, Laurent. Yukon Quest Photo Journey. Anchorage, Alaska: Todd Communications, 2003. {{ISBN|978-1-57833-219-9}}.
• Evans, Polly. Mad Dogs and an Englishwoman: Travels with Sled Dogs in Canada's Frozen North. New York: Delta, 2009. {{ISBN|978-0-385-34111-0}}.
• Phillips, Michelle. My Yukon Quest Story: 1000 Mile Sled Dog Journal. Tagish, Yukon: Michelle Phillips, 2003. {{ISBN|0-9669553-0-7}}.
• {{cite journal |last= Proudfoot |first= Shannon |date=March 26, 2012 |title=Yukon Quest is hell frozen over |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/magazine/sportsnet-magazine-yukon-quest/ |journal= Sportsnet Magazine |location=Toronto |publisher=Rogers Media }}
• Stuck, Hudson. Ten Thousand Miles with a Dog Sled: A Narrative of Winter Travel in Interior Alaska. 2nd ed. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1916. (Here [https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22965] at Project Gutenberg.)

• Browne, Belmore. [https://books.google.com/books?id=8PsgAAAAMAAJ The Quest of the Golden Valley: A Story of Adventure on the Yukon]. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1916.
• Henry, Sue. Murder on the Yukon Quest. New York: Avon, 2000. {{ISBN|978-0-380-78864-4}}.

• Bristow, Becky. Dog Gone Addiction. Wild Soul Creations, 2007. 67 minutes.
• CBC North Television. The Lone Trail: The Dogs and Drivers of the Yukon Quest. CBC, 2004. 60 minutes.
• Morner, Dan and Schuerfeld, Sven. 6ON-6OFF. Morni Films, 2005. 63 minutes.
• Northern Light Media. Mark Hegener, dir. Appetite and Attitude: A conversation with Lance Mackey. 46 minutes.

{{commons category|Yukon Quest}}

• {{Official website|http://www.yukonquest.com}} of the Yukon Quest
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140615003057/http://www.newsminer.com/sports/yukon_quest/ Yukon Quest] at Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

{{Long-distance sled dog races}}

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Category:Endurance games

Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1984

Category:Annual events in Alaska

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Category:Sports competitions in Alaska

Category:Sports competitions in Yukon

Category:Yukon River