The Yukon River Quest's entry numbers are down to 79 teams after some recent withdraws.

Despite this past week's loss, race organizers and supporters are thrilled about this year's entry total.

"It was a pleasant surprise that we were able to keep numbers close to where they were last year, given the economy," said Jeff Brady, board member on the Yukon River Marathon Paddling Association. "There was always some concern, but we had the same number of people contacting us in the fall as we normally would."

The 2008 Yukon River Quest included 89 teams, while this year's total was at one point in the low 90s. Earlier last week, the numbers were in the high 80s.

Brady said the race always loses a few teams this time of the year, adding injuries are usually the reason. Paddlers had until May 15 to pullout and still be entitled to a 75 per cent entry fee refund.

The 2009 race was limited to a maximum number of 100 teams. There were also a limit of 20 solo kayak and 10 solo canoe competitors.

Participating paddlers are coming from not just Canada and the U.S., but also Great Britain, Netherlands, Latvia, Austria, Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.

Brady said each year the race brings in around a quarter of a million dollars and is known around the world.

The race begins on June 24 at noon by the gazebo in Rotary Park.

"We are looking forward to it," Brady said. "It's a great event for the Yukon."

The course runs approximately 740-km along the Yukon River, beginning in Whitehorse and wrapping up in Dawson City.

There are nine official race checkpoints, including Early Lake Laberge, Mid-Lake Laberge, Goddard Point, Little Salmon, Carmacks, Fort Selkirk, Kirkman Creek, Sixty Mile and Dawson City.

Other Yukon River Quest categories, besides the solo canoe or solo kayak team events, include a tandem canoe or tandem kayak entry and a voyageur canoe team.

The tandem teams consist of two members travelling together in the same kayak or canoe.

A voyageur canoe is made up of six or more people.

More information about the Yukon River Quest can be found at www.yukonriverquest.com.