For the 39th running of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, the board of directors has decided that the race will be split in two, since it is still unclear if the Canadian government will open its border.
The first race will start in Fairbanks on Feb. 5, and the other will start in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory on Feb. 19. That way if the border does open, long-distance mushers will be able to run both races, Covid-19 regulations permitting, with rested teams. Usually, the 1,000-mile race is run in even-numbered years from Fairbanks to Whitehorse, and reversed in odd-numbered years.
The announcement came months earlier than last year’s announcement in September, when the cancellation of the 2021 race was announced due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which was surging.