UPDATE: The Yukon Quest Alaska (YQA) has officially kicked off the countdown to the thrilling 2026 race, with mushers eagerly signing up for the 750-mile and 80-mile events on November 8, 2023. This year marks a significant change, as the race has expanded its distance, becoming the longest since the race split from the original 1,000-mile format in 2022.
Among the first to register for the grueling 750-mile race was last year’s champion, Jeff Deter, alongside veteran musher Jason Mackey, his son Pactrick Mackey, rookie Shane Blumentritt, and veterans Josie Shelley and Jonah Bacon. The atmosphere at the YQA headquarters was electric, filled with excitement and camaraderie as mushers shared stories over coffee and discussed their beloved dogs.
Scheduled to commence on February 7, 2026, the race will take a new route that promises to challenge even the most seasoned participants. “When they mentioned it was gonna be a couple hundred miles longer and we’re gonna take a different trail that we haven’t seen before, it was like great,” said Deter. “Big bonus of racing is getting off our local trails and doing something different.”
Mackey, who has extensive experience racing various distances, expressed his enthusiasm for the new challenges the Yukon Quest presents, stating, “I can honestly say the Iditarod is nothing compared to this race.” For rookie Blumentritt, the longer distance is an exciting opportunity. “I think it’s a good way for people that are wanting to do a thousand-mile race to kind of get their toes wet,” he explained.
The entry fee for the race was set at $1,000 on registration day, with prices increasing to $1,250 until December 19, 2023, and late entries costing $1,500. All registrants were automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win $500 back.
The challenging route will follow the traditional trail to Circle, then head north and southwest to Fort Yukon, Beaver, and Stevens Village before navigating through Tanana and ultimately reaching Fairbanks. YQA Board Chair Lisa Mackey emphasized the decision to extend the race, saying, “The interior has some of the best terrain, the longest terrain, and the toughest terrain. We have the mileage, we just need to use it.”
In addition to the main event, the 80-mile “fun run” also saw registrations, aiming to attract a younger audience. Four mushers signed up for this shorter distance, hoping to inspire the next generation of racers.
Before the sign-up event, the YQA Board convened on October 30 to discuss a crucial rule change regarding the dog limit for the 750-mile race. The limit, traditionally set at 14 dogs, was temporarily modified to 12 dogs for a prior race, but the board swiftly voted to revert to the original limit.
Amidst rumors circulating on social media about the meeting’s agenda, which suggested it was to discuss Brent Sass, a four-time Quest champion disqualified from the 2024 Iditarod, Lisa Mackey clarified, “It was brought up but that was not discussed, it was not voted on, it was nothing.”
With the Yukon Quest 2026 gaining momentum, mushers are gearing up for what promises to be an unforgettable race that combines tradition with new challenges. Stay tuned for more updates as the excitement builds leading to this historic event.
