Race course
In 2027 the Yukon Arctic Ultra will return to the traditional route we had used from 2003 to 2024. The race start will be February 7th in Whitehorse.
There were good reasons to change in 2025. Also, getting to know a new trail and the communities of Teslin, Ross River and Faro along the way, was a great adventure we all would not have wanted to miss. However, we have not been able to connect Faro with Pelly Crossing. So, in both editions of our 600 km race, it meant athletes had to do an “out-and-back”. We tried two variations but it’s never the same as going from A to B.
In general, asking our race community it’s simply a fact that most athletes wanted us to try going back to the old route. I do want to thank everyone who helped us with the two editions of Teslin – Ross River – Faro! I also do think it’s possible we have that 350 km Teslin to Faro as a special edition every now and then!
Regarding distances for 2027, I can confirm that we will have 150 km with a finish in Braeburn and a 3-day cut-off. In addition we will offer a race to Pelly Crossing. We just need to verify a couple of things before the total distance can be confirmed. We are aiming at 480 km. The cut-off would be as we always have had it, i.e. 8 days.
We will also look into the return of a shorter distance race to Muktuk. At this point, we do not plan to go all the way to Dawson City in 2027. The race to the town of the gold rush will come back in 2028!
As always, we won’t know what the weather will be like. We’ve had good years and bad years when it comes to both extreme cold and it being too “warm”. Even with a return to less elevation, the YAU will remain extremely challenging and dangerous. Athletes need to be prepared for -50° C and colder, soft trails, overflows and of course everything else that comes with a non-stop ultra in this kind of a winter environment.
If you are new to winter ultras, I would like to remind everyone, that we have our Lapland Arctic Ultra in Sweden with distance of 85, 185 and 500 km. Whilst one winter we also had – 35° C in this race, overall temperatures are less extreme there, which means it’s a really good way of getting used to these kind of races.
Should you lack winter (ultra) experience, there will once again be a mandatory training course just before the YAU.
