Race Overview

• Distance: 150 miles (240 km)
• Trail: The race follows the original Percy DeWolfe trail from Dawson City, Yukon to Forty Mile, with an added 40-mile loop on the Forty Mile river, and return to Dawson.
  Following the Yukon River, with some bush trails depending on ice conditions. The race follows most of Percy DeWolfe's original dogsled trail.
• Layover: Musher will take a mandatory  eight (8) hour layover in Forty Mile, taken as desired/ by hour increments (exemple: 2&6 or 4&4 or 6&2, etc). We will try our best to direct your team to the same rest post in Forty Mile. (Trail and space depending).
  
• Please bring stove, fuel and straw, if you want it. There is no water provided in Forty Mile. There will be 1 bale of straw per musher available at the Dawson Checkpoint.

Race Details

• Number of Dogs: Minimum six (6), maximum nine (9) dogs per team.
• Number of Teams: The race will be limited to twenty (20) teams, with a maximum of two (2) teams per kennel. Should the number of teams exceed twenty (20), a wait list will be maintained. A wait list has priority over late entries.
• Start Date: March 7, at 10:00 AM, at the corner of 3rd and King street with a staggered start timed at two (2) minute intervals. The first musher to leave the starting line carries a package of mail on their sled.

Registration & Fees

• Entry Fee: $250 (an additional $50 fee applies after February 15). Entry is confirmed once the entry form is completed and full payment is received.
• Guaranteed 2026 Entry: Mushers who register and participate in the 2025 race are guaranteed a spot in the 50th Anniversary Percy DeWolfe Memorial Mail Race in 2026. This does not include the 2026 entry fee.
• With the approval of the Race Marshall, mushers may be substituted  up to and including the start of the mushers' meeting.
• Withdrawal Policy: No refunds will be given to participants withdrawing after entry is confirmed.

Prizes

1st Place: $1,500

2nd Place: $1,000

3rd Place: $750

4th Place: $650

5th Place: $500

6th Place: $350

7th Place: $250

Race Rules

1. Mandatory Pre-Race Vet Check:
   • There will be no mandatory pre-race vet check. However, we will have a voluntary pre-race vet check, where mushers can bring their dogs to the vet team to have them looked at, if they have any concerns about their dogs.
   • Proof of current Parvovirus and Distemper vaccinations and Rabies certificates for each dog running the race needs to be shown to the vets.
2. Mandatory Mushers' Meeting:
   • The meeting will take place at 6:00 PM sharp at the Dawson Checkpoint, which is the Dawson City Visitor Center, located at the corner of Front Street and King Street. The door is locked at the beginning of the meeting, and there will be a $50 fine for late arrivals, payable before the end of the meeting.
     
3. Staging Area:
   • Location: Corner of Third Avenue and King Street, by the old Post Office.
   • All teams must be in their designated staging spot no later than 9:00 AM on race day.
   • Teams deemed unmanageable by Race Officials will start last but be timed from their designated start time.
4. Race Start:
   • The race will start with a timed interval every two (2) minutes.
   • The time differential will be calculated in Forty Mile.
   • Teams must leave the starting line within one (1) minute of their start time.
   • If unable to enter the chute at their designated time, the team will start last.
   • If a team is unable to start within 30 minutes of their designated time, they will be disqualified and forfeit their entry fee.
5. Handlers:
   • The handler will be allowed to ride and/or assist to the start.
6. Number of Dogs:
   • Minimum: 6 dogs, Maximum: 9 dogs per team.
   • No loose leaders are permitted.
   • No dogs may be added to a team after the start of the race.
   • Dogs must remain under the musher’s contrul at all times.
   • No dog switching between teams is allowed.
   • All dogs must finish the race, either in the team or in the sled.
7. Treatment of Dogs:
   • There shall be no cruel or inhumane treatment of dogs. (As determined by the Race Officials.).
   • All care and feeding of dogs will be done by the Musher only (except in the case of a temporary Dog Drop in Forty Mile).
   • Only mushers may assist one another during the race. No outside assistance is allowed during the race, including checkpoints, unless an emergency is declared and judged so by the Race Marshall.
   • Incidental help at checkpoints is permitted.
   • Any pre-existing dog health issues must be identified to the vets prior to the race start.
   • If an issue is not declared before the race and is then noticed during the race, it will be deemed to have occurred 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 Officials.
8. Mandatory Gear: Each musher must have the fullowing gear during the entire race:
   • RACE BIB – to be worn at the start and finish, must be returned in good condition.
   • Winter sleeping bag
   • Hand axe
   • One pair of snowshoes and bindings
   • Snow hook
   • Stove & fuel
   • First Aid Kit (excluding oral/systemic antibiotics or painkillers)
   • Flashlight or headlamp
   • 8 booties per dog when departing Dawson and Forty Mile
   • Sled bag large enough to secure 1-2 dogs and gear
   • Proof of current Parvovirus, Distemper, and Rabies vaccinations for each dog
   • Vet record tube (if required)
   • Sturdy mid-distance or long-distance sled (no sprint sleds allowed)
   • Tracking device as supplied provided by race organizers
   • Adequate amount of dog food (two (2) days' worth) per dog for the duration of the race.

   Penalty for Missing Gear: Each missing item will result in a 1-hour penalty added to the musher’s total race time. Teams missing essential gear will not be allowed to start until all required items are present. Gear will aslo be checked in Forty Mile.

9. Recommended Supplies:
   • Adequate amount of food for the musher
   • Secondary flashlight or headlamp
   • Extra straw, if needed
10. Trail Clearing and Passing:
    • Any musher setting up camp must clear the trail of their dogs and gear.
    • Slower teams must yield to faster, overtaking teams and provide the overtaking team sufficient time to untangle if necessary before following.
    • A musher being passed is responsible for controlling their dogs to allow for a clean pass.
    • The team being passed cannot pass the overtaking team for a minimum of five (5) minutes.
    • Teams still heading towards the Forty mile river must yield the trail to mushers heading back towards Forty Mile village.
11. Littering:
    • Absolutely no littering anywhere along the trail or at the checkpoint.
    • Handlers are required to clean up after teams in the staging area and dispose of waste in designated areas.
12. Forty Mile Checkpoint:
    • All mandatory gear will be checked in Forty Mile.
    • Mushers will notify the timer/checker immediately upon arrival, and have the checker note arrival and departure time.
    • The musher will also tell the checker their plan for their rest and are responsible to notify the Checker if they change their plans during their layover.
    • Every musher must personally sign in and out of Forty Mile.
    • All dogs, sled, gear and mushers must remain at the checkpoint area at all times during layover.
13. Mandatory Layovers:
    • Eight (8) hours of mandatory rest time is required by mushers. The hours can be split in whatever ratio the musher decides, but taken at Forty Mile checkpoint.
    • For example, a musher could take 2 hours upon arrival in Forty Mile, and 6 hours when they return to Forty Mile or do the opposite, or split it in 4 hours each way.
    • The rest time must be taken in hour increments (no hour and a half) and the musher is responsible to tell the checkpoint officials of their decision.
14. Dog Drop:
    • Mushers may leave sick or injured dogs at the Forty Mile Dog Drop to be picked up on the way back to Dawson.
    • A musher must have at least six (6) dogs remaining in their team to continue the rest of the way.
    • Mushers must supply a dog chain or covered steel cable at least four feet in length, one dish and 24 hours’ worth of food for each dropped dog.
    • Excess food left at the dog drop cannot be picked up on the return trip.
    • Mushers leaving a dog at Forty Mile must fill out an instruction sheet and sign the waiver.
    • Musher must pick up all dogs dropped when returning to Dawson.
    • Mushers are responsible to leave dog(s) in proper condition, ie. booties and harness, etc.
    • Considering the remote and difficult access to Forty Mile, no dog transport is offered by the Race.
15. Sports ethics:
    • All mushers must conduct themselves in a civil manner, adhering to the principles of sports ethics, for the duration of the event, from the Mushers' Meeting through to the end of the Awards brunch.
16. No Man's Land:
    • No man's land shall be considered the land between the Moosehide Village (approx. the last three (3) miles) and the finish line.
    • Within this area, trail does not have to be given at the request of the overtaking musher.
17. Finish:
    • An official finish shall be determined by the front of the sled crossing the finish line.
    • Gear will be checked and teams must be cleared by a race official before entering any vehicle.
18. Penalties:
    • Failure to adhere to any and all rules will result in a penalty.
    • Race officials will determine suitable penalties.
    • A musher may request a penalty review by the Race Marshal.
19. Appeals:
    • 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 Awards Brunch.
20. Censure:
    • The Committee may reject any entries submitted for any reason of past conduct.
21. Protests:
    • Any observed infraction of these rules may be protested verbally to the next official on the trail.
    • A written report will also be required within a time frame, as indicated by the Race Official.
22. Vehicles:
    • If mushers have vehicles, they must be in the finish line vicinity as indicated at the Mushers' Meeting.
23. Vet books:
    • Mushers with a vet book containing information about dogs must present it to Race Officials/Vets at checkpoints.
24. Mandatory Forty Mile Stop:
    • Mushers must stop in Forty Mile, and may be required to take extra rest at the discretion of Forty Mile Race Officials/Vets.
25. Vet Care:
    • Any pre-existing dog health issues must be identified to the vets prior to the race start at the Pre-race voluntary Vet Check.
    • If an issue is not declared before the race and is then noticed during the race, it will be deemed to have occurred during the race.
    • Teams will be assessed by Race Vets and Race Officials as necessary.
    • Teams may not be allowed to proceed until cleared by Race Officials.
    • Should any vet administered IV fluids or shots be deemed necessary and given at any time to a dog(s) during the race, the entire team will be disqualified.
    • Any bagged dogs due to vet inspection/instruction, must stay within the bag and cannot be run again.
    • Mushers with a vet book must present it to Race Officials/Vets at checkpoints.
26. Forty Mile Checkpoint :
    • Forty Mile 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.

On this note, have fun, be safe, care well for your dogs and enjoy the Yukon wilderness. Thank you for participating in the Percy DeWolfe Memorial Mail Race!

Race Overview

• Distance: 40 miles (64 km)
• Trail: Down to the Chandindu River and back to Dawson City
• Warm-up tent available at the turning point. 

  Water will be provided for skiers and dogs.

Race Details

• Number of Dogs: Maximum four (4), minimum two (2).
• Number of Teams: The race will be limited to a maximum of twenty (20) teams (maximum two (2) teams per kennel) based on sign-up order. Should the number of teams exceed twenty (20), a waitlist will be maintained. Waitlist teams have priority over late entries.
• Start: 1:00 am, with a staggered start timed at two (2) minute intervals. 

Registration and Entry Fee

• Entry Fee: $50. After February 15th, an extra $25.
• Entry will not be guaranteed until the entry form is complete and the entry fee has been paid in full.
• With the approval of the Race Marshall, mushers may be substituted up to and including the start of the mushers’ meeting.
• Withdrawal Policy: If a participant wishes to withdraw from the race after entry is confirmed and before the event, no refunds will be issued.

Prizes

Cash and/or sponsor prizes.

Race Rules

1. Mandatory Pre-Race Vet Check: There will be no mandatory pre-race vet check. However, we will have a voluntary pre-race vet check, where skijorers can bring their dogs to the vet team to have them looked at, if they have any concerns about their dogs.
   
   
2. Mandatory Mushers' Meeting:
   • The meeting will take place at 6:00 PM sharp at the Dawson Checkpoint, which is the Dawson City Visitor Center, located at the corner of Front Street and King Street. The door is locked at the beginning of the meeting, and there will be a $50 fine for late arrivals, payable before the end of the meeting.
3. Staging Area:
   • The staging area will be on the lower part of the Ice Bridge on the Yukon River.
   • If Race Officials deems a team unmanageable in the staging area when they need to be brought to the start chute will not be able to start at their designated time. In this case, the team will start last, but will be timed from their initial designated start time.
4. Race Start:
   • The Percy Skijor race has a timed start at two (2) minute intervals.
   • Teams must leave, within one (1) minute of their start time. If unable to enter the chute at their designated time, the team will start last. 
   • The team must leave within thirty (30) minutes of their designated start time or be disqualified and forfait the entry fee.
   • The time differential will be calculated at the finish line.
5. Handlers:
   • Handlers are allowed to assist at the start.
6. Number of Dogs:
   • All skijorers are allowed two (2) dog minimum and four (4) dogs maximum.
   • No loose leaders are permitted.
     
   • No dogs may be added to a team after the start of the race.
   • Dogs must be in the skijorer’s control at all times.
   • No dog switching is allowed between mushers/skijorers is permitted.
   • All dogs must finish the race.
7. Treatment of Dogs:
   • There shall be no cruel or inhumane treatment of dogs, as determined by Race Officials.
   • All care and feeding of dogs will be done by the Skijorer only.
   • Only skijorer may assist one another during the race.
   • No outside assistance is allowed during the race, including at the turn around point, unless an emergency is declared and judged so by the Race Marshall.
   • Incidental help at turn around point is permitted.
     
   • Any pre-existing dog health issues must be identified to the vets prior to the race start. If any issue is not declared before the race and is then noticed during the race, it will be deemed to have occured during the race.
   • Teams vill be assessed by Race Vet and Race Official as necessary.
   • Teams may not be allowed to proceed until cleared by Race Officials.
8. Mandatory Gear: Every Skijorer vill have in their possession during the entire race the following items :
   • RACE BIB must be worn at the start and finish and must be returned in good condition.
   • Light (Flashlight or headlamp)
   • At least eight (8) booties per dog when departing Dawson
   • Tracking device (provided by race organization)

   Penalty: One hour per missing item added to the Skijorer’s total running time. Teams missing any of these items at the start will not be allowed to leave until they are present.

9. Recommended Supplies :
   • Adequate amount of food for the skijorer and dogs. Secondary flashlight or headlamp. 
10. Clearing Trail and Passing
    
    • Any skijorer setting up for a rest must clear the trail of their dogs and gear. 
    • Slower teams must yield to faster ones, overtaking teams and provide the overtaking team sufficient tiem to untangle if necessary before following.
    • A skijorer being passed is responsible for controlling their dogs to allow for a clean pass. The team passsed cannot pass the overtaking team for a minimum of five (5) minutes.
    • Teams still heading towards the warm up tent must yield the trail to skijorers heading back towards Dawson.
11. Littering:
    • Absolutely nno littering anywhere along the trail or at the checkpoint.
    • Handlers are required to clean up after teams in the staging area and dispose of waste in designated areas.
12. Warm-up Tent:
    • A warm up tent will be set up at the mouth of the Chandidu River, where the turn around point will be.
    • Skijorers are responsible for their dogs at all times and the dogs must remain under their control.
    • Loose dogs will result in penalties.
    • There is no mandatory layover to be taken, but teals are allowed to take a rest at the tent for a few hours.
    • A race volunteer will be present until 8pm after which time water and firewood will not be provided.
13. Sportsmanship:
    • All Skijorers must conduct themselves with civil and sportspersonlike manner for the duration of the event, from the Musher's Meeting through to the end of the Awards Brunch.
14. No Man's Land:
    • No man's land shall be considered the land between the Moosehide Village (approx. the last three (3) miles) and the finish line.
    • Within the area, trail does not have to be given at the request of the overtaking skijorer.
15. Finish:
    • An official finish shall be determined by the front of the skis crossing the finish line.
    • Gear will be checked and teams must be cleared by a race official before entering any vehicle.
16. Penalties:
    • Failure to adhere to any and all the rules will result in penalty. 
    • Race officials will determine suitable penalties. A skijorer my request a penalty review by the Race Marshal.
17. Appeal:
    • A further appeal can be made to the Appeal Commitee. The decision of the Appeal Committee is final.
    • Any appeal has to be made to the commitee prior to the start of the Awards Brunch
18. Censure:
    • The Commitee may reject any entries submitted for any reason of past conduct.
19. Protest:
    • Any observed infraction of there rules may be protested verbally to the next official on the trail. A writter report will also be required within a time frame, as indicated by the Race Official.
20. Vehicles:
    • If skijorers have vehicles, they must be in the finish line vicinity as indicated at the Musher's Meeting.
21. Vet Care:
    • Any pre-existing dog health issues must be identified to the vet prior to the race start at the pre-race vet check.
    • If an issue is not declared before the race and is then noticed during the race, it will be deemed to have occured during the race.
    • Teams will be assessed by Race Vets and Race Officials as necessary.
    • Teams may not be allowed to proceed until cleared by Race Officials.
    • Should any vet administered IV fluids or shots be deemed necessary and given at any time to a dog(s) during the race the entire team will be disqualified.

 

On this note, have fun, be safe care well for your dogs and enjoy Yukon Wilderness.
Thank you for participating in the Percy DeWolfe Memorial Race.