Skip to content

Klondike Road Relay overcomes delays and delivers 41st race

The Klondike Road Relay (KRR) began four hours later than planned due to last-minute changes caused by a motor vehicle accident on the South Klondike Highway on Sept. 6.

The 2024 Klondike Road Relay (KRR) overcame an unexpected route change and delay to deliver on its usual blend of athleticism, friendly competition and wild costumes. 

The race began four hours later than planned due to last-minute changes caused by a motor vehicle accident on the South Klondike Highway on Sept. 6.

Organizers decided to scrap the first three legs of the race because of safety concerns and checkpoint delays. They moved the starting line to the Fraser Border Crossing, setting back start times by four hours.

Organizers received word from the RCMP that around five to six kilometres of backed-up traffic was on the road when the highway reopened at 6:20 p.m. Racers, organizers and volunteers had originally planned to kick off the race at 7:30 p.m.

“People would have had to rush to the start line. That meant going through customs, but more importantly, navigating a very foggy summit drive. There was rain and fog up there. So, we decided there was absolutely no way we wanted people driving quickly and rushing to get to a start line,” said Sport Yukon executive director, Tracey Bilsky.

Runners scheduled to tackle legs one to three were permitted to shadow later runners to be part of the experience but did not clock in race times, according to organizers.

The first group of racers reached the finish line at Rotary Park in Whitehorse around 12 p.m. on Sept. 7. Throughout the afternoon, thousands of people attended the “Party in the Park” event, cheering on the racers as they crossed the finish line, according to Bilsky.

“We aim to create a festival-like atmosphere,” Bilsky said.

“TNP – Old and Frail” clocked in the fastest overall time for the full stint of the race, beating second place’s “Super SHEroes” by one hour and 15 minutes. In an oxymoronic twist, “TNP – Old and Frail” failed to live up to its name when it finished in eight hours, 48 minutes and 29 seconds.

“Florida Fleet Feet” completed the shorter Carcross to Whitehorse stint with the fastest time of five hours, 56 minutes and eight seconds.

“Smokin’ Ole Geezers” were the fastest full-length runners in the 40-plus masters division, clocking in a total run time of 10 hours, 56 minutes and 11 seconds.

Organizers are now surveying all runners and volunteers to collect feedback and prepare for next year’s 42nd edition of the Klondike Relay Race.

“We’d love for people to take the time and give us their opinions because we always want to improve this race. It is one of the most epic races I’ve ever been involved in, and in its 41st year, it’s just a Yukon treasure,” said Bilsky.

Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com