The Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race starts on Saturday morning from downtown Fairbanks. The race, 550 miles long, is roughly half the distance from what it was pre-pandemic. Gone is the international flavor of the race, with Alaska and The Yukon going their separate ways.

In addition to the 550, there will also be a 300 mile run and an 80 mile youth mush.

Only time will tell if the race can survive without the international aspect of the Whitehorse – Fairbanks cooperation.