If you pay a visit to Schwatka Lake or even just take a stroll along the River down the Millennium Trail you may very well see Yukon River quest rookie and Whitehorse resident Mirjam Fleming training for the race.

The River Quest is 750 kilometres from Whitehorse to Dawson City and Fleming is having her first go at the race in a solo kayak. She is team number 116, at the time of writing but that could possibly change, and her team name is Team Number Onesie.

The Star caught up with Fleming on the banks of Schwatka Lake after she just finished the Icebreaker Race on June 1. She said then the race was a good training opportunity against other strong paddlers.

It was at the water’s edge of Schwatka Lake that she explained her reasoning for entering the race.

“I think it is a personal challenge,” said Fleming. “I heard it is a great race. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it, people love it and I want to be a part of it and experience it for myself.”

She is experienced on the water but admits that this is her first year, in some time, doing solo kayaking.

“Usually I am paddling a canoe or whitewater rafting,” said Fleming. “This is my first season kayaking, I guess in five years.”

Registering for the solo kayaking category she said is a bit intimidating but views it as a personal challenge.

“A lot of people do it in a team first, their first year,” said Fleming. “I just do it as a personal challenge and just do it for myself.

“Also I am a bit of an introvert so I actually appreciate the time on my own. I like to train on my own. I like to be on my own schedule.

“Just to do this totally by myself as a personal challenge to see how far I can push myself. See how I deal with myself, with the pain and being out there for so long by myself.”

She is not doing the race to be competitive with the other paddlers but she said she will be competitive with herself.

“I think it is the most important thing to finish with a smile on my face,” said Fleming. “I want to be safe and I’m not doing it competitive - the first year.

“I think there will be a lot of pushing myself to keep going. Self-motivation.”

As the race gets nearer she said she is starting to feel more nervous especially with the logistical side of things, like packing her food and that she has been talking to race veterans to soak up as much information as possible.

“It’s a big part of it, learn from other people,” said Fleming. “I hope they have given me some good advice.”

She hopes that this first year in the River Quest can be the start of a continuing journey on the water.

“I hope so, who knows,” said Fleming. “I heard it is really addictive.”

The Yukon River Quest will begin on Wednesday June 26.

The race will begin at 12 p.m. at Rotary Park. Before the race begins the paddlers will give speeches in front of the SS Klondike. At noon a horn will sound and it will be a mass start as the racers run to their boat.