The Yukon Quest's award winners represent up and coming mushers to living legends.

The awards were handed out at Saturday's Finish and Awards Banquet.

The first award to be given was the Dawson Award, one which has been known since Hans Gatt pulled into Dawson City first on Feb. 10.

The four-ounces of placer gold are handed out every year to the musher that is the first into the gold-rush city, and goes on to finish the race.

This year's awards was presented by race judge Thomas Tetz, who couldn't help but play a joke on Gatt as he went to receive the gold.

Instead of the shiny gold, Gatt opened the little bag to find a bunch of rocks, while Tetz kept the real prize hidden away.

After a laugh, Gatt was given his real prize.

The second award was the Challenge of the North, presented by Hans Oettli.

Jocelyne LeBlanc was honoured with the award, for her perseverance after Dawson City when she saw her team dwindle down to seven dogs.

LeBlanc received a stained glass panel of a sled dog for her win.

The rookie was also presented with the Red Lantern award, in recognition of the tradition to keep a light on for all mushers still out on the trail.

The Sportsmanship Award was presented by legendary musher Emmitt Peters, who told the crowd stories of his time as a musher.

The award was given to Sonny Lindner, in his return to the Yukon Quest.

"This year I feel like it was a total, whole field of sportsmans,” Lindner said.

Yukon Quest International Canada executive director Wendy Morrison said the award was given to Lindner for his contribution to other mushers.

Lindner gave any advice he could to his fellow racers, who picked him for the award.

Joshua Cadzow was a big winner on Saturday.

The rookie was presented the prestigious Veterinarian's Choice award by head vet Kathleen McGill for his excellent dog care.

"People were telling me that they could have kept going for another 1,000-miles,” Cadzow said.

Cadzow also took home the Rookie of the Year prize for being the top placing rookie, after finishing in seventh place overall.

"It took me halfway to become a veteran,” Cadzow said. "I plan on going a lot faster in the next few years.”

The fan-favourite is always the Golden Harnass Award, which is presented to the number one team's two lead dogs.

Gatt chose leads Kinvig and Stitch to accept the award, instead of Big Girl and Sonny due to their calmer nature.

The two dogs were treated to a feast of steak onstage to the delight of the audience.