Welcome to the official Yukon River Quest web site. The Yukon River Quest is an annual marathon paddling race. Paddlers come from around the world to test their endurance, racing day and night to the Klondike on one of North America’s great rivers. It is open to solo and tandem canoes and kayaks, solo stand-up paddle boards (SUP0, and bigger C4 and Voyageur canoes. Please fully explore our site for information on how to participate in this great event, whether as a racer, a member of a support crew, or as volunteer. The Yukon River passes through Five First Nations on our race route: Kwanlin Dun, Ta’an Kwachan Council, Little Salmon/Carmacks, Selkirk, and Trondek Hwechin. Our race honours their culture and those who have lived off the river and nurtured it for centuries. 

22nd ANNUAL YUKON RIVER QUEST: JUNE 24 – JUNE 28, 2020 – Registration will open on November 1, 2020 at 18:00 (6 PM) Pacific Time. Last year it filled in a couple days, so be ready! Watch for 2020 Rules posted on this site after approval at our Oct. 25 board meeting. No major changes are anticipated.

RECORD FIELD IN 2019 – A record 117 teams started the 21st annual YRQ at noon on Wednesday, June 26, and 86 teams finished by 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 30.  A total of 31 teams (26.5%) scratched during the race (an additional team withdrew just before the start). Most of the scratches were in Carmacks, as several teams were fatigued and/or unable to make the cutoff time there on the evening of June 27. Only 3 teams scratched past Carmacks. Thirteen countries were represented: Canada, USA, New Zealand, Australia, Netherlands, Norway (new), United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Papua New Guinea (new), France, Austria, and Ireland. Pull up 2019 Results and replay the race on our RACE TRACKER page, courtesy of Yukon 1000 Software, and see photos in our GALLERY and posted on our YRQ FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM pages. Read our AWARDS PRESS RELEASE.   

THANK YOU  VOLUNTEERS – LIFEBLOOD OF THE YRQ:   More than 200 of you made our race shine under the Midnight Sun!  A Volunteer Appreciation Party was held in Whitehorse  on Sept. 13 at Mt. MacIntyre and we gave out lots of Air North tickets and other door prizes. Thanks to those who donated! Also see our big THANK YOU AD from the Whitehorse Star published on Friday, July 26, 2019,  Want to get involved for the 2020 race? Sign in on our new VOLUNTEER page and then view the different jobs available. It’s never to early to volunteer, and it’s fun!

RACERS & SUPPORT CREWS INFO: Racers please go through the RULES & PREPARATION part of our site to view our 2019 Rules, Racers Briefing, and see what you are required to carry on this journey, including a new First Aid Kit.  Check out the FAQs to learn more about navigation, insurance requirements, support at Carmacks, how to get back from Dawson, and more. Support crews should check out the SUPPORT link above to view a separate Support Briefing and learn more about what you need to do to help your team get to the finish line!  

 THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS – SUPPORT THE YRQ:  We have a lot of great sponsors who help us immensely in making this a great race. Please view our SPONSOR PAGE for a list of everyone big and small, including this year’s BIB SPONSORS!  We have several sponsorship levels to show your support for the race. Our popular bib program is a great way for small businesses to both help the race and support a team. Click here for a Bib Sponsorship Form (due June 15th).   

BECOME A MEMBER OF YRMPA: Join the Yukon River Marathon Paddlers Association for just $20 a year (adults), $10 a year (juniors 18 & under), or $100 for lifetime. Email the race office for details or attend our December AGM and consider joining the YRMPA Board to help us plan the race. Meetings are monthly most of the year, and more frequent the two months before the race. See list of officers and board members and read our Vision, Values and Mission statements on our ABOUT US page. 

YRMPA BOARD NEWS:  Upcoming meetings: YRMPA Board Friday Oct. 25 at 5:30 pm at Sport Yukon; NEW EARLIER AGM: Wednesday October 30, 2019 at 5:30 pm at Sport Yukon.