The 2022 Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra has ran it’s last mile, with the race wrapping up Friday morning about 8:00 with the arrival of the last walker, Philip Cowell of England, arriving at the finish line.

The race began Feb. 3 at approximately 10:40 a.m at Shipyards park in Whitehorse.

Racers chose from three disciplines, but most of them were on foot, save for a couple of people on fat bikes, with nobody on skis.

Jessie Gladish of Dawson City took first place overall in the 300 mile on her fat bike, coming in Wednesday at 4 a.m.

She was followed by Kevin Leahy of Ireland, on foot, at around 6 a.m.

Daniel Benhammou (U.S.) came in Wednesday night at approximately 9:45.

He was followed by Stephan Huss (Germany) Thursday morning around 4:15. Huss and Benhammou had been traveling together for most of the race, but Benhammou went on ahead with about five miles to go.

Aodh O Currain (Ireland) came in Thursday morning at about 8:10.

There were only three 100 mile finishers: Connor Murray (Coldwater, Ontario), Brian James (Calgary), and Nathan Quinn (Vancouver), who teamed up and all arrived in Braeburn at the same time on Feb. 6 at 3:16 a.m.

Six people on foot finished the marathon, all on Feb. 3: Keith Gayheart, of Los Angeles (in at 18:10), Sydney Flodstedt, Calgary (15:46), and Derek Cronmiller, (14:32), Sarah and Benjamin Hancock (17:00), and Lara-Rae Trotter (16:57), all of Whitehorse.

Race organizer Robert Pollhammer was pleased overall with the event.

“I’m happy that we did it, because everybody that was here gave us positive feedback ... athletes were thankful that we didn’t give up and didn’t just cancel. I had no negative feedback. I guess people that weren’t looking forward to doing an out and back race were the ones that cancelled. Everybody else mentally was prepared for it.

“It’s been a stressful event for the organizing team, for sure, because of all the changes and then some unexpected short-notice changes, so it’s not been a routine operation. We had to adapt, react to what mother nature threw at us.

“I’m happy, of course, that everybody’s safe. Yes, people sustained some sports injuries and also some mild frostbite, but it’s hard to get zero of that, especially in an event like this.”

The unusually warm conditions contributed to the amount of people that finished the race.

“We had less finishers in the 100 miles, percentage-wise, than we would normally have and I think that’s because of the snow, it was not because of the cold ... a lot of people would have finished if it had been a hard-packed trail, but it wasn’t and some had their struggles with it,” recalled Pollhammer.

There were some medical issues.

“The most serious one was possibly a twisted knee, somebody may have torn something that would eventually probably require surgery. Not entirely unusual in an ultra event. That can happen in any race ... in any activity,” said Pollhammer.

Alex de Said of the Netherlands suffered the knee injury.

“The frostbite cases, I am not 100 per cent sure, but nobody had to be hospitalized, so I’m hoping that they will all recover from it,” added Pollhammer.

At this point in time, 2023 looks like a full go.

“Planning starts fairly soon,” said Pollhammer.

“I usually talk to the Quest about their timing so we get it right ... so that’s the first step. And then next year, if we can, we’ll go all the way to Dawson City; we’ll have our 430 mile race. I know people are looking forward to it. Hopefully with even less or no pandemic restrictions. That would be nice, of course.”

Pollhammer added he was impressed with the help he had staging the event.

I”m also happy about all the efforts that went into preparing this race, making ti possible ... the local crew here, the people setting up remote checkpoints, Rangers breaking trail, on overflow. They didn’t give up, they just pushed hard and made it work, and that’s highly appreciated.

“And also my crew that’s in headquarters, and on the trail – everybody did a fantastic job to make sure it works, and everybody’s safe.”