Even though winter has not yet hit the territory, it is never too early to start planning for the sunny weather of summer. On Nov. 1, registration opens for the 22nd annual Yukon River Quest.

The online entry forms are available starting at 6 p.m. PT on Nov.1 via the link under the "Register" tab on the race website www.yukonriverquest.com.

Entry fees for the 22nd race will be unchanged: $525 Cdn. per solo team; $950 per tandem team; and $300 per paddler in a C4 or voyageur canoe.

In the past two years, well more than 100 teams have registered, prompting race officials to adjust the team registration limit to 125 teams. A limit of 125 teams will again be in place for the 2020 race, with the voyageur limit set at 15 teams, and a limit of 50 for solo teams.

In 2019, a record of 117 teams were at the start line and 86 of them finished.

Peter Coates, president of the Yukon River Marathon Paddlers Association, said in a press release that team captains need to be ready to sign up early when the registration opens.

"We are getting prepared for the rush of teams registering for next year's race,” Coates said. “Last year, registration went very fast. We had 43 teams sign up in the first 20 minutes, 116 on the first day, and the race was full shortly after that. We do not expect it to be any less of a rush this year.”

Solo paddlers who have not completed a Yukon River Quest must provide a satisfactory paddling résumé prior to registration to demonstrate that they have sufficient marathon racing or wilderness paddling experience.

“Prospective paddlers thinking about entering need to be aware that this is a race that is tough mentally and physically,” Coates said. “Be prepared to be cold and sore, mentally and physically exhausted, out in the middle of nowhere. A very beautiful but unforgiving nowhere. Do not enter on a whim, but only if you are up to the challenge."

Paddling résumés should be emailed to the race office at info@yukonriverquest.com.

The past three years have seen record numbers of teams with the addition of Stand Up Paddleboards (SUP) and four-person C4 canoes. Recently, the YRQ added five new C4s to its rental fleet. These canoes, along with two voyageur and seven C2 canoes, may be rented by registered teams on the website.

Total possible prize money remains at $42,830, based on 100 teams registered by June 1. The purse is adjusted upward or downward by a percentage point based on the final number of teams registered above or below 100.

There was a new prize money structure enacted in 2019 and it awards the top three male, female and mixed teams per class as long as they beat another team in its class and finish within 25 per cent of the top team in the class.

Many enter the race for the personal satisfaction of staking their claim to a coveted YRQ Finisher Pin once they reach Dawson City.

Paddlers who have finished multiple YRQ also now covet entrance into the "Great River Club" which was introduced for the 20th anniversary. Racers who have logged 5,000 and 10,000 kilometres are members of the club and receive special pins.

Coates said there are no large changes planned for 2020.

“There are no major changes planned for the race this year,” Coates said. “Not that that means the race will be the same. Last year was a low water year with an unfriendly lake. There are early indications that it might be a higher water year next year, if you choose to believe that, and who knows what the weather will bring? Whatever it is, the race will be prepared for it.”

The race is all about endurance. Aside from two mandatory layovers at Carmacks (seven hours) and Coffee Creek (three hours), teams paddle non-stop to reach Dawson City.

The course record still belongs to Canadian voyageur canoe Team Kisseynew who finished the race in 39 hours, 32 minutes, 43 seconds in 2008.

The 2019 overall winning time was 44:59:10 by Saskatchewan's Mike Vincent and Ivan English C2 team #wepaddletogether.

Last year, 13 countries were represented. The race typically draws an international field.

The 715-kilometre paddle from Whitehorse to Dawson will be held from June 24-28.

The "Race to the Midnight Sun" is the world's longest annual paddling race.