Registration opens Nov. 1 for 2010 Yukon River Quest

WHITEHORSE, Yukon - Registrations will be accepted starting Nov. 1 for the 12th Annual Yukon River Quest, the world's longest annual canoe and kayak marathon, which will be held from June 30 to July 4, 2010.

The 740-kilometer (460-mile) wilderness adventure paddling race is held on the Yukon River from Whitehorse to Dawson City in Canada's Yukon Territory. Held during the last week of June, the YRQ is known as the "Race to the Midnight Sun." Paddlers race round-the-clock, as the sky never gets dark. It is a true marathon with just two mandatory rest stops of 10 hours over the course of the entire event.

Online entry forms will be available via a link on the race website www.yukonriverquest.com at 12:01 a.m. beginning Nov. 1.

Deadline for entries is April 15, 2010, but teams are encouraged to register early due to the growing worldwide popularity of the event. Only 100 canoe and kayak teams, which includes a limit of 23 solo kayak and 7 solo canoe teams will be allowed to enter. Organizers say solo teams should register immediately to reserve a spot. All boats must meet specifications defined in the 2010 YRQ rules, currently available on the website.

Entry fees have been increased to address rising race costs. The fees are now $850 (CAD) for tandem canoes and kayaks, $475 for solo canoes and kayaks, and $250 per person for voyageur canoe teams of six or more paddlers. Team biographies will be posted on the race website after the captain registers a team and all paddler information is received.

The 2010 race purse has been increased slightly to $36,500 (CAD) with the addition of a new $500 cash prize to honor the top "First Nation" team to finish.

"In an effort to recognize the fact that we are traveling down the river through the traditional territory of five 'First Nations,' we have decided to partner with them in celebrating this great race," said Jean-Francois Latour, race president. "We will release details about this partnership early in 2010. In addition, we want to offer a special prize to the first canoe or kayak entirely composed of 'First Nation' teammates. This (recognition is a) unique way of transportation that preceded the European appearance in this country."

Overall cash prizes are available for each class: tandem canoe, tandem kayak, solos, and voyageur canoes. There are also prizes for the top three finishers in each division. Several special awards have also been donated by race sponsors. A complete prize breakdown can be found in the race rules on the website.

Teams must finish the YRQ in 60 hours to receive prize money, but many do the race for the personal satisfaction of staking their claim to a coveted finisher pin in historic Dawson City. Aside from two mandatory layovers at Carmacks (7 hours) and Kirkman Creek (3 hours), teams paddle non-stop to reach the "City of Gold."

Last year, paddlers from nine countries signed up for the event. It is supported by more than 125 volunteers.

Organizers say The Yukon River Quest is a premier paddling event in Canada's North, and is widely recognized throughout the paddling world. It has been featured on NBC, the BBC and CBC, in numerous paddling and adventure magazines and websites around the world.