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Two newcomers to the Yukon Quest have added their names to next year's race start list, pushing the total number of mushers to 17.

Two Rivers, Alaska musher Blake Matray was the 16th competitor to add his name to the list last week, and Miriam Osredkar of Skagway is the latest addition to the 1,000-mile odyssey.

The 46-year-old Matray has been running dogs for 19 years, but the 2014 Quest will be his first.

Matray is a retired USAF pilot and worked as a guide in North Dakota. He said his goal is "to finish with a healthy team.鈥�

Matray ran the Yukon Quest 300 last year, and has also competed in the Two Rivers 200 and the Taiga 300 in recent seasons.

Next year's race will also mark Osredkar's debut in the 1,000-mile Quest, but she has seven years experience mushing dogs.

The 36-year-old said registering for the Quest has been "a lifelong dream,鈥� and she aims to finish the race with a happy, healthy dog team.

Last season was a busy one for Osredkar, as she competed in the Northern Lights 300, the Tustumena 200, and the Sheep Mountain 300, where she took home a sportsmanship award.

The Yukon Quest will celebrate its 31st running in 2014. The race spans 1,000 miles through 11 communities in Alaska and Yukon, taking place around the clock during nine to 14 days under extreme weather conditions. It follows historic northern travel routes that cross the border between Canada and the U.S.

The 2014 Yukon Quest starts Feb. 1 in Fairbanks, Alaska, and will finish in Whitehorse.

Allen Moore won the 30th edition of the race earlier this year, besting the field of 26.

Yukon Quest executive director Marie Belanger said she hopes the race will attract at least 25 mushers again this year.

"My feeling of a good year is always 25,鈥� Belanger told the Star this morning. "Every year we seem to get around that number. This year, it looks a little slower, but I'm not too worried.鈥�

The deadline for early registration is Dec. 6.

"That's usually when we get a good idea of what our field will be,鈥� Belanger said.

"This time of the year, many mushers are just waiting for the first snow to see how their teams are doing.鈥�

For now, Matray and Osredkar will join the following mushers at the starting line in February: Ken Anderson (veteran), Tony Angelo (rookie), Normand Casavant (veteran), Judith Currier (rookie), David Dalton (veteran), Mike Ellis (veteran), Nicole Faille (rookie), Matt Hall (rookie), Jerry Joinson (veteran), Torsten Kohnert (rookie), Allen Moore (veteran), Mandy Nauman (rookie), Brent Sass (veteran), Cody Strathe (veteran) and Brian Wilmshurst (veteran).

For musher profiles, or more information on the Yukon Quest, visit http://www.yukonquest.com.

On Friday, Oct. 18, the race will celebrate its 31st year with a birthday party and mushers' masquerade at the Jarvis Saloon in Whitehorse. Each year, this event marks the kick-off to race festivities, usually attracting a variety of mushers.

"Things are definitely ramping up,鈥� Belanger said.

Doors open at 5 p.m., and festivities will include a silent auction, live music by Celtic fiddle band Fishead Stew, finger foods and a birthday cake from the Chocolate Claim.

Revelers are invited to compete for great prizes by dressing up as their favourite dog musher, bush rat, or lead dog.

Tickets are $10 at the door.

"We're quite excited,鈥� said Belanger. "We're ready to dig and swing and have fun.鈥�

Top costume will win a prize of a return flight courtesy of Air North, valid for one year.