On a new course that proved a real challenge for even experienced racers, the Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra is nearing its end with six finishers among a field of nearly 50.
This year’s race started in Teslin on Feb. 2 with a finish line set for Faro for both the 600 and 350 kilometre distances. All racers were set to use the South Canol Road and Dena Cho trail on their journeys with those on the longer distance also going out and back on the North Canol Road.
First among the finishers was Harm Feringa who reached Faro on his fat-tire bike on Feb. 8, a little over six days after leaving Teslin. Feringa was followed by Mathieu Blanchard and Guillaume Grima who reached Faro on foot in eight days, three hours and two minutes and eight days six hours and 52 minutes respectively.
Yukoner Jessie Gladish biked to a fourth-place finish about nine days, eight hours after starting.
Joaquin Cancel crossed the line in Faro on his bike about seven hours after Gladish putting him in the elite club of only three athletes to have completed the race’s longest distance by ski, bike and on foot. Erico Ghidoni and Gladish are the only others to have done this.
Kasper Vanherpe was the last official finisher, reaching Faro in the early morning hours of Feb. 12.
“This course pushed even the most seasoned veterans to their limits, proving to be one of the toughest iterations of the race we’ve ever seen. But Kasper endured. Through the cold, the fatigue, the endless miles, Kasper remained calm, consistent, and meticulous - a true testament to preparation, resilience, and the spirit of ultra-endurance,” a Feb. 12 post by Callum Joliffe to the race’s Facebook group reads.
Daniel Benhammou also reached Faro but wasn’t marked as a finisher as he diverted from the 600-km route he had signed up for to follow the 350-km course eager to make sure he didn’t miss a walk on the Dena Cho Trail.
None of those who took off on the 350-kilometre race would finish.
Updates posted to Facebook by race organizers illustrate an extremely challenging race with frostbite and other injuries leading to scratches from the race and medical evacuations, including some by helicopter.
Contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com
