The 2008 Race Starts in Whitehorse, Yukon on June 25, 2008

HOW TO ENTER - Instructions
Please carefully read this introduction before filling out an application!

APPLICATION/ENTRY DEADLINE

Application deadline for the 2008 race is May 1, 2008. Teams will be registered beginning October 15, 2007 on a first-come, first-served basis upon full payment of race entry fees. Confirmation and assignment of team numbers will be issued upon acceptance. Pre-race materials will be mailed out to successful entrants. No entries postmarked after May 1, 2008 will be accepted.

LIMITED ENTRY/WAIT LIST – RISKS, EXPERIENCE & PREPARATION

Only 85 canoe and kayak teams will be allowed to enter the 2008 race, excluding voyageurs. The number of solo kayak teams shall be limited to 25, and the number of solo canoe teams shall be limited to 5. The maximum number of teams starting the race shall be 100. Teams are registered on a first come, first served basis upon arrival of completed application and fees. Once the maximum of 85 non-voyageur canoe and kayak teams has been reached, a waiting list will be established, again on a first come, first served basis. To qualify for the waiting list, the official entry form must be completed and a $15 non-refundable fee paid by May 1, 2008. If a team withdraws from the list of 85, the name at the top of the waiting list will be moved up to the entry list. If a K1 or C1 team drops out or if the field is not at the 25-team K1 limit or the 5-team C1 limit, then the race will pick the team from the waiting list with the oldest entry date. If a K2 or C2 team drops, and the race is at the K1 and C1 limit, then the next K2 or C2 team on the waiting list with the oldest entry date will be selected. The slot will be held open for no more than seven (7) days after notification, upon full payment of entry fee. No teams will be added from the waiting list after June 1, 2008.

The Yukon River Quest is an international wilderness race open to participants from all countries. Racers will be required to show proof of identification and age. Canada or US drivers licenses, passports, and birth certificates are acceptable.

This long distance race takes you through very rugged and isolated territory where roads and people don’t exist, and where dangers, including death or injury from hypothermia, drowning, bear mauling, forest fire or other acts of nature, do exist. Racers must be physically and mentally fit, as well as possess back-country survival and self-rescue skills to enable self-management until help arrives. Should an incident occur, racers must realize that they could be up to 24 hours away from a medical facility. Safety boats patrol the river during the race, however it is impossible to be everywhere at all times, so it is critical to understand the risks and be prepared. Racers will be required to sign an acknowledgment of risks form releasing race officials, YRMPA board members, government agencies, and sponsors from any and all liability.

Read the FAQs and other materials elsewhere on our website regarding preparation and risks. After reading these materials , if you feel you cannot complete this wilderness race, please do not enter. Go get some experience, even float the Yukon River for pleasure, and sign up another year when you feel you are ready for our event. The YRMPA reserves the right to refuse any entry on the grounds of lack of previous canoe or kayak racing or wilderness tripping experience, or for any perceived lack of prior preparation for the race.

NEW - Uninsured non-Canadian paddlers are required to have Proof of Visitor to Canada Health Insurance at final registration in Whitehorse. See the FAQs on the website for details on how to obtain this for our event. If you have medical issues that the YRMPA should be aware of, please contact the safety coordinator or race marshal prior to the race.

ENTRY FEES/RESCUE DEPOSIT/CANCELLATIONS
ENTRY FEES (payable with application):
• $700 Canadian dollars per canoe and tandem kayak team
• $400 Canadian dollars per single kayak or solo canoe entry.
• $200 Canadian dollars for each voyageur team member (6 or more per team)

Each team member must complete an application form and a team captain must be declared (see next page). To insure proper registration, all entries and forms should be submitted in one envelope or faxed at the same time. A team will not be registered and listed on the website until all fees and forms are collected by YRMPA.

EVACUATION DEPOSIT - An additional $200 refundable deposit is collected per team in the event that a team and its gear have to be evacuated. If there is no rescue, then the deposit will be refunded within 30 days of race conclusion. Half of each team member’s bib must be turned in at the racers’ final checkpoint before the deposit will be refunded.

Only the following means of payment are accepted:
• VISA & MASTERCARD CARD NUMBERS ONLY on the registration form.
• Canadian cheque (if within Canada) made to Yukon River Marathon Paddling Association.
• Foreign bank draft in Canadian funds made to Yukon River Marathon Paddling Association.
DON’T SEND PERSONAL CHEQUES DRAWN ON BANKS OUTSIDE CANADA. THEY WILL BE RETURNED!

Deadline for applications is May 1, 2008. Pre-race materials will be mailed out to team captains.

CANCELLATIONS: Teams withdrawing on or before June 1, 2008 will be refunded 75% of their entry fees and the $200 rescue deposit. For any withdrawal after that date, entry fees will be forfeited and only the rescue deposit will be refunded. Substitutions are permitted up to June 22, 2008.

WHAT’S INCLUDED
Each racer receives a high quality YRQ 2008 wick-dry shirt, free shuttle for training run the weekend before the race, pre-race meet and greet in Whitehorse, free camping at Carmacks, soup and sandwich at Kirkman Creek, ticket to Diamond Tooth Gerties casino in Dawson City, ticket for Awards BBQ, and a finisher pin if you complete the race by the cutoff time in Dawson.

TEAM SUPPORT – VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!
The race encourages teams to bring their own support crews. As we also need extra volunteers in Carmacks and especially Dawson City, please e-mail our volunteer coordinator if a member of your support crew can also provide assistance at these locations when they are not assisting your team.

BIB SPONSORS
Every racer is required to wear a bib bearing your team number and that of your bib sponsor. Most of these bibs are sponsored by Yukon-Alaska businesses, but if you would like a special bib sponsor from someone in your area, please link to the bib sponsorship page and have your bib sponsor complete the form and submit payment. Half of the bib goes to your sponsor, and these must be turned in at the racer’s final checkpoint.

ARE YOU READY?
To enter, print off and complete the number of forms and waivers required for your team (one per team member), with payment (or VISA/MasterCard number) attached to the form of the team captain, and mail to:

Yukon River Marathon Paddling Association
4061 Fourth Avenue, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, Y1A 1H1
E-mail: registrations@yukonriverquest.com
Phone: 33FLOAT (867-333-5628) • Fax (867) 633-2267

Application and Waiver Forms are available only in PDF format.
If you are unable to open these files, please e-mail us.