Photo by Marcel Vander Wier
GRUELING ADVENTURE 鈥� Solo kayaker Marty Borges of Pagosa Springs, Col. crosses the Yukon River Quest finish line in Dawson City June 29 at 6:14 p.m. Borges was the third-last team to finish the 715-km race.
River Quest, Arctic Ultra named two of world's toughest races
Two Yukon sporting events were named to a list of the top-10 toughest races in the world this week.
Two Yukon sporting events were named to a list of the top-10 toughest races in the world this week.
The Yukon Arctic Ultra finished sixth and the Yukon River Quest came in ninth on the list compiled by ultra-marathon runner and adrenaline adventurer Simon Donato and published online via The Huffington Post.
Donato is a co-creator and co-host of the television show Boundless that sees him compete in tough endurance races around the world.
He based his list on criteria including accessibility, cost, amateur status, realism, and the option to race as a solo competitor.
Donato noted that races involving expensive or technical gear, or companions such as sled dogs, were not considered for the list.
Italy's ultra run, the Tor des Geants, was named the world's toughest race.
Other races to make the list include Badwater (ultra run, U.S.A./Brazil),; Cape Epic (mountain bike, South Africa), Race Across America (road bike, U.S.A.), 4-Desert (ultra run, Sahara, Gobi, Atacama), Charlie Ramsay Round (ultra run, Scotland), Salzkammergut Trophy (mountain bike, Austria), and 11-Cities SUP Tour (stand-up paddle surfing, Holland).
The Yukon Arctic Ultra race is one in which weather plays a key role, Donato stated in his reasoning.
"Running through the dead of winter in northern Canada, this race follows the Yukon Quest trail, which is also the route of the world's toughest sled dog race,鈥� the article stated. "Racing non-stop, and entirely self-supported for days, athletes will battle extreme conditions, and can expect to add frostbite and hypothermia to mere exhaustion.鈥�
Race options include 160, 482, or 692 kilometres on foot, bike or skis. Racers tow their necessary gear on a sled behind them.
Arctic Ultra race director and organizer Robert Pollhammer said he was flattered by the recognition.
"I guess I am a bit spoiled as the Yukon Arctic Ultra makes it on these kind of lists quite frequently,鈥� he said in an email to the Star. "It helps the popularity of the (race) and makes me proud to be part of it all.鈥�
The 715-km Yukon River Quest was named to the list for the draining effect it has on competitors' psyches.
The longest non-stop canoe/kayak race in the world travels from Whitehorse to Dawson City each June via the Yukon River.
Yukon River Quest president Carl Rumscheidt could not be reached for comment today.
Registration for the 2014 River Quest opens tomorrow and runs until May 15.
The 16th annual race is scheduled to take place from June 25 to 29.
For details, visit http://www.yukonriverquest.com.
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Comments (1)
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Carl Rumscheidt on Oct 31, 2013 at 2:14 pm
Simon Donato's recognition of the YRQ as one of the top-10 toughest races really speaks to the Yukon River and those who take part in the event. The river keeps flowing, on and on, season after season, through canyons and broad vistas on its way to the ocean. YRQ racers are drawn to the race each year to experience the river, learn more of it's long history, and to test themselves both physically and psychologically, all in the company of a wonderful community of dedicated paddlers. It is an awesome feeling finishing the race, and I hope more paddlers will come share that with us, next June and in years in come.