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The tagline 鈥� expect the unexpected 鈥� played a larger than usual role in the 2012 City Chase Canadian Championships in Whitehorse.

The urban adventure event, known for its secrets and surprises, ended with Team Mutt, a partnership of Ottawa's Chris McQuinn and Edmonton's James Dean, as race winners.

The two crossed the finish line set up in front of the historic SS Klondike just after 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

"For the first time in nine years of City Chase history, we actually have a split team representing the City of Edmonton and the City of Ottawa,鈥� championship coordinator David Nash told the crowd assembled at the finish line.

"Guys, congratulations. A helluva race. You did amazing.鈥�

The duo found themselves paired together following a surprise Hunger Games-like competition held Friday night.

By random selection, Team Edmonton and Team Ottawa 鈥� both pre-championship favourites 鈥� were drawn into a paintball duel, where the first two players hit were eliminated from the competition.

Both Dean and McQuinn survived.

"Ending up together and being put together 鈥� That was shocking,鈥� Dean admitted post-race. "But it worked out and we had a blast today. Chris was a fantastic teammate to work with.鈥�

The two will now have to sort out how to split their winnings, a $10,000 trip to Tanzania courtesy of Intrepid Travel.

Dean, 35, and McQuinn, 32, are both City Chase veterans, having participated in multiple national championships.

Both winners told the Star they were still feeling good after the 40-hour marathon of non-stop adventure.

The Whitehorse challenge stood out to Dean 鈥� a four-time champ.

"This was more wild, more adventurous,鈥� he said of the 2012 Yukon adventures.

"This was the most physical race I've ever raced in as a national championship. It was the most taxing on the body.

"Yesterday and today, we summited two mountains on foot,鈥� Dean said. "To see the lakes around here from the summits was incredible. It was just an awesome race.鈥�

The Whitehorse win marked the first championship in six tries for McQuinn.

"Highlights? Would it be mountain biking continuously uphill?鈥� he joked.

"As painful as it was, I just want to come back and do it again.鈥�

The pair cycled approximately 90 km as part of the challenge that also included the Monkido course and zipline at Mount Sima Alpine Adventure Park, replacing railway ties at the Copperbelt Railway and Mining Museum, panning for gold in Canyon City, and carving paddles at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre.

Other highlights included packaging Yukon Brewing beer, a visit to the Carcross Desert, and putting out a live fire and later rappelling off the tower at the fire training centre.

Two teams were eliminated midway through the competition, one following the chili cookoff at Shipyards Park and another after they took a wrong turn on an ATV trail and found themselves lost and hours behind the rest of the chasers.

Team Vancouver and Team Montreal finished second and third.

The City Chase championship is meant to test chasers' physical, mental, emotional and intellectual abilities.

For full contest results, visit www.mitsubishicitychase.ca.