The final race roster is set for the 10th annual Yukon River Quest, which will begin June 25 in Whitehorse.

This year's field will feature a record 90 teams with nearly 240 paddlers from all over the world.

The Yukon River Quest is the longest annual canoe and kayak race in the world. Except for two mandatory rest stops totalling 10 hours, paddlers race non-stop over the 742 kilometers (460 miles) to Dawson City.

Held annually in the north during the last week of June (around the summer solstice), it is a true "Race to the Midnight Sun" and recognized as one of the toughest adventure marathon events in the world.

Teams will compete for a record $31,000 in prize money in various categories, but many do the race for the personal satisfaction of staking their claim to a coveted finisher pin.

The YRQ has grown in popularity since its Gold Rush centennial beginnings a decade ago, and race organizers are celebrating their accomplishments with some anniversary mementos this year.

At one point in the spring, the YRQ field was "full" with 100 teams, but some teams withdrew before a June 1 deadline. Still, it's a record field this year featuring paddlers from a dozen countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Japan, Latvia, South Africa, and the United States.

There are plenty of fast teams in other categories that could challenge race records, including the course record of 40 hours, 37 minutes.

The first teams should arrive at the finish line in Dawson on Friday afternoon, June 27. Teams will continue arriving until early Sunday morning.

Returning class champions include Steve Mooney and Ingrid Wilcox of Whitehorse in solo kayak, Norbert Wolverine and Lionel Campbell of Sask. and Pat McKenna and Elizabeth Bosely of Whitehorse in tandem canoe.

Several new and returning teams should make the mixed canoe and all tandem kayak classes competitive this year.

Included among the canoe field are two men who have been in all 10 races, Tony Arcand of Whitehorse, and Larry Seethaler of Anchorage, Alaska.