Race rules

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Distance: 100 miles (160 km)

NOTE: Running of race will be dependent on trail conditions.

Trail: Dawson City to Fortymile, and return. Skijorers should be prepared for bush trails, and sections of trail that are too narrow for effective skate skiing. Teams take a mandatory 8hr layover at Fortymile and return to Dawson the following day. A heated wall tent is available for skijorers to sleep in, however, competitors must be self-sufficient in other aspects of the layover. Straw is NOT provided at Fortymile.

*Please note, skijorers who reside in Eagle will have the opportunity to participate in the race by following the Percy trail from Eagle into Fortymile, and then continuing on to Dawson the following day.

Start: Time and location TBA

Registration Deadline: Mushers must register with payment by February 15, 2023. 

RULES: Percy Skijor

1. Mandatory Pre-Race Vet Check:

To be held the day before the race. Appointments will be assigned to each skijourer by race veterinarians.

2. Mandatory Skijorers/Handlers Meeting:

Refer to race overview page for time and place. Door is locked at the beginning of the meeting. $50 fine for late arrivals, payable before the end of the meeting. It is strongly recommended that all handlers attend.

3. Race Start:

The Percy Skijor race will be a mass start event. Skijorers will start after the Percy Junior mushers. All teams will be timed from the time the start flag drops, regardless of the time they actually leave. Teams deemed by race officials to be unmanageable at the race start may be penalized at the official's discretion.

4. Handler: 

Handlers will be allowed to assist during start. No outside assistance is allowed during the race, unless an emergency is declared and judged so by the Race Marshall. Incidental help at the race start is permitted.

5. Number of Dogs:

2 dogs minimum, 4 dogs maximum. No loose leaders. No dogs may be added to a team after the start of the race. Dogs must be in skijorer's control at all times. No switching of dogs between skijorers is permitted. All dogs must finish the race.

6. Treatment of Dogs:

There shall be no cruel or inhumane treatment of dogs (as determined by the Race Officials.) Only competitors may assist one another during the race. Teams will be assessed by Race Vet and Race Official as necessary. Teams may not be allowed to proceed until cleared by Race Official. Any pre-existing dog health issues must be identified to the vets during the pre-race vet check. If an issue is not declared before the race and is then noticed during the race, they will be deemed to have occurred during the race.

7. Mandatory Gear

  • RACE BIB must be worn at race START and FINISH, and must be returned in good condition
  • A pulk capable of safely carrying all mandatory gear and one dog
  • Cold weather sleeping bag
  • Outdoor winter outerwear
  • Cold weather outer mitts and one pair of winter boots
  • Working headlight
  • Axe or saw with minimum 8" blade
  • Fire lighting materials
  • Stake line or equivalent to secure dogs during the camping at 40mile
  • Proof of current Parvovirus and Distemper vaccinations and Rabies certificates for each dog running the race
  • Promotional material

8. Mandatory Supplies:

The following items must be in the Musher's possession at the start of the race and in Fortymile.

  1. Adequate amount of dog food per dog for the duration of the race (3 days worth is recommended)
  2. Eight booties for each dog (must have 4 for each dog when leaving Fortymile)

All dog food, gear and other supplies to be used must be carried from the start.

9. Skis:

Skijorers will be permitted to carry a set of replacement skis. Metal edged skis are permitted.

10. Hauling Dogs:

Dogs must be hauled in a safe and secure manner. Skijorers must be equipped to remain stopped on the trail for an extended period of time if outside assistance is required. Skijorers are responsible for the hauling and caring of themselves and their dogs. Outside assistance may be delayed, and may result in withdrawal from the race.

11. Clearing Trail and Passing:

Slower teams must yield to faster/overtaking teams and provide the overtaking team sufficient time to untangle if necessary before following. Skijorers being passed are responsible for controlling their dogs to allow for a clean pass. The team being passed cannot pass the overtaking team for a minimum of 5 minutes.

12. Littering:

Absolutely no littering anywhere along the trail or at checkpoint.

13. Sportsmanship:

All mushers/skijorers must conduct themselves in a civil and sportsmanlike manner for the duration of the event, from the Musher's Meeting until the end of the Awards Banquet.

14. Finish:

An official finish shall be determined by the skijorer crossing the finish line. Finish line is on Front Street across from the parking lot beside the Visitor Information Center. Gear will be checked and dogs must be cleared by a race official before entering any vehicle.

15. Penalties:

Failure to adhere to all any rules will result in a penalty. Race officials will determine suitable penalties. Musher may request a penalty review by the Race Marshal.

16. Appeal:

A further appeal can be made to the Appeal Committee. The decision of the Appeal Committee is final. Any appeal has to be made to the committee prior to the start of the banquet.

17. Censure:

The Committee may reject any entries submitted for any reason of past conduct.

18. Protest:

Any infraction of these rules observed may be protested verbally to the next officials on the trail. A written report will also be required within a time frame, as indicated b the race official.

19. Vehicles:

If skijorers have vehicles they must be in the finish line vicinity as indicated at the musher's meeting.

20. Fortymile Checkpoint

Fortymile is a co-managed site between the Tr’ondek Hwech’in and the Yukon Government. As a sign of respect, consumption of alcohol and/or drugs will not be tolerated. 

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