The Yukon River Quest (YRQ) 2016 filmed by Rich Harpham Canoe Trail working with The Canoe Show

The YRQ or Yukon River Quest is one of the toughest canoe races and endurance events on the planet covering the 440 miles from Whitehorse to Dawson City in a little over 60 hours. The 2016 race was the first time that SUP's (Stand Up Paddle Boards) had been allowed to race and I have to say they smashed it, big shout out to the local Canadian SUP'ers who showed many others how to do it!!
The Race has two mandatory check points, one of 7 hours at Carmacks Camp Ground and one at Coffee Creek for 3 Hours meaning you are on the go and racing / plus two check points for circa 75-80 hours. Sleep deprivation, hallucinations and general fatigue are common place. It is like combining the skills of Mo Farah with survival expert Ray Mears in terms of racing.
The Yukon River Quest is the world's longest annual canoe and kayak race. The Yukon River Quest's stated mission is, "To challenge paddlers in a world class wilderness event - a race to the midnight sun." Richard was invited to race in 2016 as a journalist recording the racer for different magazines and media including BBC radio, Bushcraft and Survival Skills Magazine, Paddler to name a few.
Huge thanks to Rob Campbell my ninja team mate who is no stranger to racing having won the British 125 long Devizes to Westminster Race on 3 occasions and raced it over 10 times. Rob and Rich part of Canoe Trail's coaching team are no strangers to the Yukon having led the Yukon Canoe expedition run by Canoe Trail on numerous occasions. Rich as also led expeditions to the Yukon prior to this exploring the river, Chilkoot Trail from Juneau to Whitehorse and also exploring the Mackensie Mountains by ski in temperatures as low as minus 70 on the Ski to the Edge Expedition.
The Canoe Show is filmed by Maximus Media in partnership with British Canoeing. Canoe Trail has worked with Maximus and The Canoe Show on numerous occasions helping to provide content and material for the show.
If you are interested in joining one of our Yukon Canoe Expeditions or using our coaching and expedition knowledge then drop us a line to [e-mail] or www.canoetrail.co.uk
The Yukon is one of the last great wilderness areas of our planet. Exploring it is a deeply spiritual journey that can change your life and mindset.