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The City Chase Canadian Championships got off to a flying start Thursday afternoon in Whitehorse.

Chasers and members of the Whitehorse Midget Mustangs split up and squared off in what will be the first of many high-octane adventures this weekend 鈥� pulling a 90,000 lb. Boeing 737 plane 100 feet down the runway at the Air North hangar.

Team #2 overcame a slow start 鈥� and one less team member 鈥� to best Team #1 with a time of 38 seconds. Team #1 had completed the feat in 43.52 seconds.

With the quick pull, chasers on Team #2 earned themselves a headstart on the rest of the activities, which began this morning.

The championship will wrap up early Saturday evening.

David Nash, vice-president and partner of InField Marketing Group and the event's creator, kicked off the 40-hour adventure race with a press conference at Air North.

"The championship event is unique in that participants are immersed in the local community,鈥� Nash said. "They will create a long-lasting bond with the city 鈥� and are sure to return with their families many times.

"We try to approach things in a different way,鈥� he added. "We attempt to showcase a culture and a city. We want people to have an experience they won't forget.鈥�

The top 20 chasers of more than10,000 participants from across the country were introduced prior to the plane pull.

Deputy premier Elaine Taylor officially welcomed the group to Whitehorse on behalf of the Yukon government.

"Sports are very important to Yukoners,鈥� she told the chasers. "It is an honour for you to be able to be here in the Yukon for the first time, and first time north of 60 as well. We hope it's a great event and that you're going to be able to take home many great memories as well.

"Let's hope you have the largest of life experience here in your life.鈥�

Nash, who was dubbed "Gold Digger Dave鈥� by the local snowshoe girls, said chasers will be pushed to the brink physically and emotionally.

"But at the end of the day, we're all going to embrace each other Saturday night and we're going to party and celebrate everything that the Whitehorse opportunity has presented to us.鈥�

To reach the race, chasers had to lead the way in their regional challenges, which took place in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax. The regional events lasted six hours.

Last year's championship was hosted by Halifax.

City Chase activities planned for the weekend cannot be released to the public to prevent any chasers from gaining an unfair advantage.

However, residents of Whitehorse can expect to see the 10 teams of chasers running across the city this weekend in bright blue jerseys. Some challenges even require community involvement, and the public is encouraged to help as much as they can.

The City of Whitehorse earned the right to host the championship after a competitive review process. The event will showcase the city and surrounding area by highlighting local history, culture and regional landmarks.

To find out about the activity schedule as it happens, Nash encouraged residents to use social media to follow the organization's Twitter account @CityChaseCanada, or the event hashtag #CCYukonChamps. The event's website is www.mitsubishicitychase.ca.

Behind the City Chase thrills and adventures, the organization also raises money for the Right to Play charity, which provides sport and recreation opportunities to disadvantaged areas.

The second Edmonton entry gained entry to the championships via a lottery draw from amongst the top fundraising teams. Since 2008, the event has raised over $800,000 for the Canadian charity.

The grand prize is a two-week adventure to Tanzania donated by Intrepid Travel.

The trip, which includes Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti, is valued at $10,000.

City Chase is largely sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors and GoodLife Fitness.

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The Participants

Team Edmonton: David Quaschnick and James Dean

Team Calgary: Kurtis Sturtevant and Cord Sturtevant

Team Toronto #1: Robert Fine and Elle Silver

Team Montreal: Alain Lacasse and Brigitte Nehma

Team Ottawa: Chris McQuinn and Scott Chisholm

Team Toronto #2: Brian Greenwood and Michael Miller

Team Vancouver: Nicki Rehn and John Markez

Team Halifax #1: Colin Hebb and Neil MacDonald

Team Halifax #2: Colin Miller and Greg Brothers

Team Right to Play (Edmonton #2): Josh Koehil and Laurie Anderson