Yukon Quest mushers will compete in 2013 for at least $100,000 to be split among the top 15 mushers finishing the race.

Quest officials announced Friday a minimum purse of $100,000 US, down $50,000 from the 2012 purse of $150,000.

The announcement came just a day before the first day of signing up for the 2013 sled dog race running from Whitehorse to Fairbanks, Alaska. Fifteen mushers have signed up for the event.

"We were hopeful that we could announce a larger minimum purse, but it is important to the organization that we are transparent and upfront with mushers and stakeholders,” said Becky Alexander, president of the Quest board in Alaska.

"This is an amazing race, but costs increase each year, and last year we did not meet our sponsorship and fund-raising targets.

"It is also expensive for mushers to run the race, and we have committed each year to letting them know by sign-up day the minimum purse.

"Ensuring all expenses from last year are paid and covering the purse are our priorities. If we see an increase in corporate sponsorship and fund-raising, we will certainly revisit the purse amount.”

The purse will be divided among the top mushers, beginning with 18.93 per cent for the top racer, 13.52 for second place and 10.81 per cent for third and so on, with 15th position earning 2.16 per cent of the purse.

If the purse remains at $100,000, that means first place will take $18,930 with second taking home $13,520 and third place $10,810. Finally, the musher to place 15th will be awarded the smallest amount, at $2,160.

While the board can only guarantee $100,000 for the purse, it is reassessing all its costs and revenues.

Grants largely make up the funds needed to operate, but most expenses must be raised through corporate sponsorship and fund-raising.

"This race and its purse rely on support of the business community and the many individuals who give time and money to the race,” said Joost Van Der Putten, president of the Yukon board.

"The economic impact that the event creates in remote communities on both sides of the border as well as in Whitehorse and Fairbanks in winter is significant. I really want to encourage more corporations to support this iconic event.”

Among the 15 to sign up over the weekend are two Yukoners: Whitehorse musher Normand Casavant and Dawson City musher Brian Wilmhurst are both veterans of the 1,600-kilometre race.

Another four mushers – all rookies – will come from across Canada, including Dyan Bergan from Yellowknife, Rob Cooke from Saint Jacques, N.B., and Christina Traverse and Randy McKenzie, both from Fort McMurray, Alta.

The remaining nine mushers all hail from Alaska, with eight being veterans to the race.

Cody Strathe from Fairbanks is the only Alaskan rookie to sign up for the 2013 Quest, with the other eight mushers from the northern state to include Lance Mackey, the four-time Quest champion (consecutively from 2005 to 2009), of Fairbanks.

He will be joined by fellow veterans Abbie West and Allan Moore from Two Rivers, Dan Kaduce of Chatanika, Dave Dalton of Healy, Misha Pedersen of Willow, Gus Guenther of Clam Gulch and Kelley Griffin of Wasilla.

Six Whitehorse mushers have signed up for the smaller Yukon Quest 300, which runs from Whitehorse to Pelly Crossing and serves as a qualifier for both the Quest and Iditarod.

They are Susie Rogan, Steve Gibbons, Jacob Heigers, Tamra Reynolds, Gaetan Pierrard and Gerry Mobey.

Only two other mushers signed up for the race on Saturday: Fairbanks musher Mike Bowman and Australian John King.