On January 30 at Shipyards Park, more than 60 athletes from 16 nations will converge on Whitehorse to begin the Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra, one of the coldest, toughest, ultramarathons in the world.

Since 2003, the Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra (MYAU) has been held every February along the Yukon Quest Trail – the route of the 1,000-mile sled dog race.

A cumulative total of nearly 900 hardy souls have toed the start line in Whitehorse next to the Yukon River to cover their choice of four distances along this brutally cold and challenging trail, with a marathon, 100 and 300 mile races.

Every second year there is also a 430 distance, which is the case again in 2021. In 2020 an expected 65 athletes from 16 countries will compete, with more than half signed up for the 300-mile race.

The 300-mile race sees athletes travel to Pelly Farm, there they will leave the river to turn around and go to Pelly Crossing on the farm road.

“Once again we have an amazing race roster with great athletes from all over the world,” said Robert Pollhammer, MYAU race director. “It’s a perfect mixture between veterans, newcomers and athletes returning to finish unfinished business. As always, I keep my fingers crossed that they all reach their respective goals.”

Athletes can complete their chosen distance either on foot, fat bike, or cross country skis.

Shelley Gellatly is a local racer and is a 300-mile finisher. This year, she will attempt the trek to Pelly Crossing again, this time on skis.

Gellatly has been involved in the race since it’s inauguration and was inspired to try it as a way to see the Yukon Quest trail.

“I did it the first time in ‘03 because I wanted to see the trail,” said Gellatly. “I originally thought I would try and mush the trail but realized I didn’t have the cash or the knowledge and thought this would be a great chance to see it.

“I’ve been involved every year. It’s really fun and interesting.”

During the race, competitors are expected to be self-sufficient, towing food and shelter behind them in heavily laden sleds called ‘pulks’ and melting snow to provide water.

Night temperatures can reach as low as -50 C, which when coupled with windchill and sheer physical exhaustion can be not just challenging, but extremely dangerous. Situations which under normal circumstances would be inconsequential can become life-threatening.

For newcomers, there are training courses available immediately before the race. Gellatly leads one of these courses called “MYAU Pre-Race Workshop”. She gets support from Jessie Thomson-Gladish and other race veterans.

“There has always been a workshop,” said Gellatly. “After the incident with the Italian, if you don’t have winter experience you have to do a workshop.

“The workshop I help organize focuses on what you need to do to finish successfully. Its helps with problem-solving.

People are coming with less self-management in the bush and are reliant on GPS.

“You learn every year it’s never the same. You have to be able to problem-solve.”

The other course is called “Survive to Race” organized by Stewart Stirling. It is a four-day course and includes a full night spent on part of the trail used in the MYAU.

Gellatly said the Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra is more for the experience than it is to race.

“I’m not going out to race,” said Gellatly. “It’s not very often people race. Most people are here for the experience.”

Dr. Russell Reinbolt from California attempted the MYAU 300-mile last year but had to drop out of the race at mile 86 due to impending frostbite, confusion, and near hypothermia.

He is back to conquer the trail.

“I left Whitehorse a broken man,” said Reinbolt. “I pulled out seven miles outside of Braeburn. I wasn’t eating or drinking and my spirit was broken.

“I still had a wonderful time. It was peaceful and serene and I made great friendships. I’ve put the pieces back together and have unfinished business.”

Reinbolt said he is back for another year as a way to challenge himself.

“It’s so hard,” said Reinbolt. “It allows me to challenge myself both physically and mentally. It’s the toughest race to challenge myself that’s reasonable. It checks all the boxes in terms of testing my limits and testing my mind.

“It’s odd but the race is 90 per cent physical and 90 per cent mental. The body won’t do what the mind won’t allow it.”

To be successful, Reinbolt said he has learned from the previous year’s mistakes.

“I didn’t sleep enough,” said Reinbolt. “I pushed too hard when I should have slowed down. You have to be patient and persistent and I was too persistent.

“I was racing instead of pacing it. By moving, by keeping going you are succeeding.”

Reinbolt spoke about the fear he had when things started to look bleak.

“It was scary when I became altered,” said Reinbolt. “Trees started to wave. I saw a star on the horizon and I thought it was a car. What really concerned me was when I couldn’t do math anymore.

“My mind was still working enough to call for help. I promised my wife and kids that I wouldn’t get into trouble.”

Despite his close encounter with frostbite and hypothermia, Reinbolt said he is trying to push the fear out of his head.

“There is still some fear,” said Reinbolt. “But, I’m taking the mindset that I am invincible and nothing will break me but I still know there are tons of threats.”

Coming back to the race, Reinbolt hopes to motivate people and show them that they can accomplish great things.

“I’m doing it to inspire people,” said Reinbolt. “We all have so much potential and people can realize that potential if they challenge themselves.”

As well as looking to inspire others, Reinbolt is racing for local charity Little Footprints Big Steps, the non-profit organization that works to protect vulnerable children in Haiti.

MYAU quick hits:

This year is the 17th edition of the race. Gellatly said when it was founded it was not expected to run this long.

The 100-mile racers follow the Yukon Quest trail and go to Braeburn. Marathon participants go to Muktuk Adventures.

There have been 891 participants, including 2019 so far. Forty-one nations have been represented. In order of most representation are Canada, UK, Germany, Italy, United States and Denmark.

It is a non-stop race and the lowest cold temperature recorded during a race has been -60 C. MYAU has one of the coldest marathons ever run, temperatures at the start were -40 C, however, the marathon distance is not certified.