Two English athletes finished the 100-mile category of the Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra Tuesday in first place at the same time.

Peter Thorton and David Hartley crossed the 100-mile finish line at Braeburn at 2:10 p.m., recording a total time on the trail from Whitehorse of 51 hours and 40 minutes.

Fellow countrymen Alistar Cole and Tristen Brown finished together in second three hours and five minutes later, followed last night by Scott Carey and Robert Jeffery, also of England, who crossed the line together at 11 p.m.

Of the eight registered in the category, two scratched, including Brady Kyle of Canada.

The bitter temperatures along the trail are taking their toll, with 24 scratches among the 88 participants who took part in the mass start at Shipyards Park Sunday morning.

The greatest number of scratches – 14 – has been recorded among the 40 participants registered in the 430-mile race to Dawson City.

Serbian runner Jovica Spajic who had a substantial lead among the 430-milers was forced to scratch at Braeburn because frostbite on his nose and two finger tips, Arctic Ultra officials explained in their online race updates.

Whitehorse runner Brendan Morphet won the marathon category when he crossed the finish line at Rivendell Farm in three hours and 43 minutes, just three minutes ahead of second place.

The ultra marathon record of 3:14 is held by Yukon runner Denise McHale.

The Arctic Ultra follows the trail of the Yukon Quest.