The Yukon River Quest will get some added publicity on Saturday with a six to eight minute segment on NBC.

This will mark the first time the annual canoe and kayak race is mentioned on a large American network. In the past, the race has been featured on the CBC and BBC.

"This will really broaden the whole perspective of the race," said Jeff Brady, media coordinator for the Yukon River Quest. "So we are looking forward to seeing it."

The segment is being shown on NBC-TV's Jeep World of Adventure Sports program. It's can be viewed on the WDIV network sometime between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Brady said it is expected anywhere from one to two million viewers will tune in.

The Yukon River Quest is the longest annual canoe and kayak race in the world. Except for two mandatory rest stops totaling 10 hours, paddlers race non-stop over approximately 740 kilometers (460 miles) to Dawson City.

Held annually during the last week of June (around the summer solstice), it is a true "Race to the Midnight Sun". The YRQ is widely recognized now as one of the toughest ultra marathon paddling events on the planet, where the world's best paddlers gather to compete.

The final race roster is set for the 11th annual Yukon River Quest, which will begin on June 24 in Whitehorse. This year's field will feature 82 teams with 179 paddlers from all over the world - including several past champions.