The 2021 Yukon Journey, originally monikered the Yukon Journey 450, will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Pelly Crossing.

Mushers will travel 255 miles to Whitehorse.

The race was slated to travel from Dawson City to Whitehorse; however, because of logistical reasons, it had to be shortened.

Still, the ethos of the Yukon Journey remains: to be a race that is good for dogs, enjoyable for mushers, and which everyone can feel good being a part of, including volunteers, sponsors, and communities.

The trail follows the Yukon Quest trail from Pelly to Whitehorse.

Distance estimations are 81 miles from Pelly to Carmacks; 74 miles from Carmacks to Braeburn, and 100 miles from Braeburn to Whitehorse.

The race format has 20 hours of mandatory rest to be served in two checkpoints and three time stations, of the mushers’ choosing, before arriving in Whitehorse. The caveat is that three hours’ minimum rest must be taken in Carmacks and Braeburn.

Time toward the mandatory 20 hours will be measured in half-hour increments. Times shorter than 30 minutes will not be applied against the mandatory rest.

The time stations are McCabe Creek, 34 miles down the trail from Pelly; Mandanna Lake; and Dawson Trail, 45 miles from the finish line.

The finish line is on Titanium Way in the Marwell industrial area.

There are 11 mushers signed up for the 2021 Yukon Journey.

In order of their time of registration, the mushers are: Jacob Heigers, Hans Gatt, Susie Rogan, Marcelle Fressineau, Kyla Boivin, Connor McMahon, Jason Biasetti, Martine Le Levier, Nathaniel Hamlyn, Paul Hamlyn, and Ed Hopkins.

It is an experienced field of mushers – seven of the entrants are Yukon Quest finishers.

They will depart Pelly in two-minute intervals, with a maximum of 12 dogs and a minimum of eight.

Six dogs must be running to finish the race. The time differential from the interval start will be served in Carmacks.

The race marshall will be Catherine Pinard, who has completed several mid and long-distance races.

The race purse is $8,000. For finishing the race, mushers will get their entry fee back – $300.