Would you sign up to the toughest ultra race in the world?
The Yukon Arctic Ultra is an event that places athletes from around the globe into some of Canada most extreme natural hazards. A bit removed from the average Brits choice of winter activities to be sure but with 23 English competitors in the 2006 race the UK had by far the largest contingent in the event. Jonathan Lucas even managed to take home the top prize in the 100 mile skijoring competition in which a dog pulls a skier, who, depending on the terrain, either skis along or brakes.Proclaimed the toughest ultra race in the world this competition sees athletes attempt non-stop 100, 300 and 460 mile legs of a race traversing the length of one of Canada’s northern most regions...in the dead of winter. Those competitors brave enough to sign on also choose their mode of discipline, which can be either mountain bike, cross country skis, foot or skijoring.
Hot on the heels of The Yukon Quest, a 1000 mile international dog sled race that pushes the limits of man and man’s best friend, the Yukon seems a natural locale for testing mental and physical mettle in an Ultra Race. -30 degree Celsius temperatures, unpredictable terrain and freezing river crossing are just a few of the many challenges outlined in the Extreme Hazards section of the website. A final attempt to convey the risks comes in the form of a foreboding warning that “situations which under normal circumstances don’t cause any problems can become absolutely life threatening in the dead of winter in the Yukon” immediately preceding the link to the waiver form.
What would motivate someone to put themselves in certain physical strain not to mention danger? If you were to ask the individuals who went to Canada’s far north for such an extreme challenge the answers would be unique and varied since the absence of a cash prize means they participated for far more intriguing reasons. Fancy a go?
The Yukon Arctic Ultra takes place February 11-24th, 2007. Additional information can be found at arcticultra.de.