Yukoners made the most of Saturday’s five hours of sunlight.

Runners and cyclists took to Grey Mountain at sunrise just after 10 a.m. for their annual Winter Solstice events.

Fifty-three cyclists hit the trails with the Contagious Mountain Bike Club (CMBC) for the fifth annual 5+ Hours of Light fat bike festival.

The event began at sunrise (10:08 a.m.) and ended at sunset (3:46 p.m.).

In-between, riders spent the day riding a course measuring just less than nine kilometres.

The day included solo and team categories with race headquarters based out of Biathlon Yukon. 

The overall winner on the day was solo male Ian Parker, who completed nine laps – exactly 80 kms. Aaron Foos, Rob Horne, Tony Painter and Dan Shier each rode seven laps.

Virginia Sarrazin pedalled five laps to take the solo female category, while three others – Sky Hodgson, Laura Sly and Shannon Stotyn each completed four loops.

The Flat Nolans – a co-ed squad of three – completed seven laps to claim the team division title.

The event – a sister race to the club’s 24 Hours of Light bike relay held on Summer Solstice – is rapidly growing in popularity, said CMBC spokesperson Jenn Roberts.

Some riders tried out fat bikes for the first time, while others showed up unannounced to participate, including one man from Saskatchewan.

By 11 a.m., the sun was out in its full glory, spreading warm light across the mountain.

The fat bike festival isn’t the only Yukon celebration on the shortest day of the year.

Fifty brave runners and walkers also met at the upper parking lot on Grey Mountain Road at 10 a.m. for the Winter Solstice Run, a 12-km run up to the towers and return.

The three front-runners were, as usual, Logan Roots, Lindsay Carson and David Eikelboom.

The untimed event included two Aussie women who flew up from Vancouver to take part in the event.

Many made a donation to the food bank, said runner Tom Ullyett.

Next on the running calendar is the No Excuses New Years Resolution Run, Jan. 1, which athletes can run, walk, bike, snowshoe or ski.

The casual event is untimed and helps locals make the most of their New Years resolutions.

The event begins at Vanier Catholic Secondary School at noon.