Posted: December 13, 2004

Athletics: Yukon Arctic Ultra Set For February

From Feb. 14th to 22nd, 2005 the Yukon Arctic Ultra will take place for the third time. The start of the world’s coldest and toughest ultra will take place one day after the Yukon Quest, the 1000 mile sled dog race from Whitehorse to Fairbanks. The athletes will start from the same place as the mushers and their dogs and follow the same trail. Apart from the 100 and 300 mile distance once again there will be a marathon.

In order to grow without compromising on safety, the organisation has limited the number of entries for the ultra distances to 35 athletes each. With currently 11 starters for the 100 and 20 starters for the 300 miles the YAU will more than likely reach these numbers by February. Again it will be an international field of runners. As in 2003 and 2004 more than 10 different nations are expected to make it to the Yukon to face this challenge of a lifetime.

So far, the majority of athletes has done the race on foot. That will not change for next year but there are also some brave racers who will be going for it on MTB or with XC-skis. It is almost unfair to mention any athletes in particular as everyone who has taken the time to train and prepare for this race deserves admiration. However, it is interesting that the world’s best ultra athletes also have discovered the Yukon Arctic Ultra as an event not to be missed. Rocky Reifenstuhl from Alaska, who is known for his toughness in winter ultras has won the 300 miles on MTB twice in a row. Last year Achim Heukemes from Germany who ran from the North of Europe to the South and who will cross Australia on foot next year, took part in the YAU 2004. Next year, Robert Wimmer, who is also German, will start at the 100 mile distance. Robert won the longest ever ultra, the Race Across Europe!

Out there in the Yukon wilderness everyone faces the same conditions. Conditions that can chance very quickly. It may be minus 10 degrees one day and minus 35 degrees the next. Athletes can race for a couple of days without seeing anybody except race staff and wolves. The vastness of the Arctic and the long cold nights not only demand physical but also mental strength.

Without the right gear problems which may not be considered big in a normal environment, may be deadly in the Yukon. That is why the race officials continue to check the most important gear at the mandatory camp-out at checkpoint 1. Here everyone needs to rest for 4 hours. Also, there is a 2 day training course immediately prior to the race that is mandatory for all ultra athletes who do not have sufficient cold weather experience, yet.

For more information please visit www.arcticultra.de or send an email to info@thegreatoutdoors.de.