Into the Frozen Frontier: The Story of the Yukon Arctic Ultra 2025
On February 2, 2025, the world’s toughest ultramarathon once again tested the limits of human endurance. The Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra (MYAU) began in Teslin, Yukon, where a diverse group of athletes set off into the heart of the Yukon wilderness. This year, a new route brought fresh challenges, offering distances of 350 km and 600 km—routes that led racers through uncharted race terrain, demanding even greater resilience.
The Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra (MYAU) is often called the toughest ultramarathon in the world, pushing athletes to their absolute limits in one of the most extreme environments on the planet. Since its inception in 2003, the race has been held annually in the Yukon during the heart of winter, following parts of the historic Yukon Quest trail. Competitors must navigate vast, frozen landscapes while battling temperatures that can plummet below -40°C. Participants choose between distances ranging from 100 km to 600 km, traveling by foot, fatbike, or ski, all while carrying their own gear and supplies. The MYAU is not just a test of endurance but of survival—racers face frostbite, exhaustion, and complete isolation, with limited access to indoor shelter or outside assistance. Unlike traditional ultramarathons, where aid stations and support crews are common, MYAU athletes must be self-sufficient, making smart decisions about pace, nutrition, and cold-weather management. Over the years, the course has evolved, introducing new routes and challenges that continue to solidify its reputation as one of the most unforgiving endurance events in the world—where simply finishing is considered a victory.
A New Route, A New Challenge
The 2025 edition of the MYAU was unlike any before it. A shift in location meant that even veteran athletes were stepping into unfamiliar territory. Gone were the traditional distances of 100, 300, and 430 miles; instead, racers faced a grueling 350 km trek to Faro or an even more punishing 600 km route that extended up the remote North Canol Road.
Compounding the challenge, the race began in the late afternoon rather than the morning. This left competitors with only a few hours of daylight before being enveloped into an unforgiving Yukon night. To make matters worse, the first checkpoint was farther than usual, forcing racers into a test of endurance right from the start.
The Race Begins
At 3:25 PM, shortly after the Yukon Quest mushers departed Teslin, the MYAU racers set off under a crisp, and cold sunny sky. Athletes had gathered at the Teslin Motel and community rec center to make final preparations, eat, and hydrate—knowing that the warmth and comfort would soon be a memory.
As night fell, temperatures plummeted to -40°C. The first stretch the race following the horse of Telson lake to Brooks Brook CP1 quickly turned into a long cold march. Frostbite and exhaustion set in early, forcing some racers to scratch before they even reached the checkpoint. Others made the check point, desperate for warmth, only to be met with the cold truth—no extended indoor rest was available. This year, CP1 and the following three checkpoints would not allow for drying gear or prolonged shelter. Many racers were prepared for this in theory, but experiencing it firsthand was another matter entirely.
While some athletes never made it to Brooks Brook, requiring a snowmobile evacuation en route. Others continued on, but later withdrew at the entrance to the South Canol Road. This would be the last vehicle accessible location until reaching Ross River. Any racer scratching beyond this point would require a long snow machine ride out.
Frostbite & the Harsh Reality
Few races in the world test athletes the way the MYAU does. This race saw extended exposure to -40°C conditions. Without proper sweat management this almost guarantees cases of frostbite, no matter how experienced a racer might be. Prevention is drilled into the athletes through the mandatory training, but once on the trail, staying warm and dry becomes a relentless battle.
Medical crews worked tirelessly to assess and treat athletes at each checkpoint. Some athletes required immediate evacuation, with helicopters called in when ground transport could have worsened their injuries. The media often portrays these air rescues as dramatic, but in reality, they are simply the best way to ensure an athlete’s safety and recovery. Every competitor is insured for such situations, and while many would prefer to push forward, knowing when to stop can mean the difference between temporary and permanent injury.
For those who endured, the next leg of the journey only became more grueling.
The Journey Continues
The South Canol Road proved to be a relentless beast. Temperatures remained at -35°C or lower, forcing more competitors to withdraw at Quiet Lake and beyond. Some required EMS assistance, while others—suffering from trench foot, old injuries flaring up, or sheer exhaustion—had to accept that finishing wasn’t in the cards this year.
Yet, despite the brutal conditions, some athletes endured. Those continuing on the 600 km course faced an even greater test of endurance. After days of grinding through the South Canol Road, racers arrived in Ross River for their first chance at proper indoor rest, thanks to the Ross River Dena Council’s hospitality. The next stretch—an out-and-back along the legendary North Canol Road—was as remote and unforgiving as it gets.
Those who pressed on were rewarded with one of the most breathtaking backdrops in the Yukon, the North Canol Highway. The Northern Lights made frequent appearances, casting a glow over the frozen expanse. The course—already deemed one of the hardest in MYAU history—had lived up to its reputation.
The final stretch of the race from Ross River to Faro via the Dena Cho Trail added one last unexpected challenge. After days of slogging along snow-covered roads, athletes found themselves navigating a winding, hilly hiking trail. While the terrain was exhausting, the rewards were immense: spectacular views around every corner.
More Than a Race
The Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra 2025 was not just another edition of an already legendary race—it was an entirely new chapter. The new route, the extreme cold, and the relentless physical and mental demands made it one of the toughest MYAUs to date.
For some, it was about survival. For others, it was about pushing their limits. But for every racer who stood at the starting line, the MYAU was a journey into the wild. To come face to face with the elements and with themselves.
And for those who endured, it was proof that even in the heart of the cold Yukon winter, the human spirit can endure.
