YQ: 977 Thank Yous

977 miles – 977 thank yous.

First of all, and most important of all, thanks go to Dutch, Spark, Amber, Five, Jefe, Bruno, Commando, Rodney, Scooby, Clyde, Chipper, Violet, Perky and Decaf. You are amazing.

A great handler crew can really enhance the race for a musher and we felt we had an unfair advantage with Bridgett and Aliy (ably supported by Padee on the AK side and Ingabritt and Stephen on the YK side). To be able to hand the team over in Dawson and know they are getting the best care imaginable is an amazing feeling. Thanks to Wendy and Karolyn for holding down the fort while they others were away playing. That is the unglamorous side of handling but so, so important. Thanks also to Lisa, the Bristols and Ryan for Alaska side support.

To all our competitors and friends out there on the trail. Congratulations on even just making the start line – sometimes that is the hardest part. We hope you achieved some of your own goals and had some successes.

Thanks to all the volunteers throughout the race – the checkpoint managers and their crews, the team updating the website and social media, anyone selling merchandise at events, those raking straw when the handler crew couldn’t be there (Eagle), the cooks who feed the mushers, those with the unenviable task of waking mushers up on time… you all make this race possible.

To Nina and her vet crew – thank you. Working in tandem with the crew is what makes this race special. Your obvious ‘dog first’ approach is so important and appreciated.

To Mike Reitz and his trail crew including his volunteers on the Alaska side and the Canadian Rangers on the Yukon side – thanks for your care and attention in putting in the trail.

The hospitality on the trail is legendary and thank you to all for feeding and caring for our mushers. Slaven’s Roadhouse, Trout Creek, Clinton Creek, Scroggie Creek, Stepping Stone and McCabe Creek

All the race officials were awesome. Cool, calm, sensible heads at the helm gives everyone confidence. Thanks to the logistics team who do more than most people could imagine. Thanks also to the Quest organisation. You work so hard all year round to stage this race, most of it unnoticed or under appreciated. Thank you. Race sponsors are so important to the staging of this race, thank you to all especially our bib sponsors Mushing Tech in Fairbanks and Lumel Studios in Whitehorse.

Thank you to Fort Wainwright, City of Fairbanks, North Star Borough, 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, City of Whitehorse, Dawson City, Kwanlin Dun First Nation, Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, Selkirk First Nation, Ta’an Kwach’an First Nation, Tr’ondek Hwech’in First Nation, Village of Carmacks, Village of Pelly Crossing for your partnership with the Quest to make this race possible.

Thanks to the visual content team keeping all the race fans and supporters up to date with great words, photos and live stream videos. You bring the Quest Family together even if they are thousands of miles away (like, in New Zealand for instance).

Thanks to all the Black Team members: Leanna Anderson, Joy Ayala, Lisa Barricella, The “Other Ruth”, Rita & Tom Beer, John & Karolyn Bristol, Marilyn Cozzens, Marilynn Davis, Joe D and Dorothy M McCain, Dorothy & Girlee, Ms. Eliason, Fergus & Hamish Emerson, Kathy Ferrell, Freeman Family, Marti Guarin, Carrie Hopkins, Chica Hopwood-Dean, Kate, Badger, Tracker & MooMoo, Stephanie Kuhns, Layman Crew, Lisa Locke, Peggy Long, Val Lycette, Lyn MacDougall, Vivian & Greg Martin, Lisa McDonald, Bob & Jane Nelson, Nessmuk & Shanti, Becky Pacas, Heidi Phillips, Angela & Bob Pressley, Louise Rathswohl, Debi Riley, David Robertson, Cindy Schaus, Jeanne Seward-Wallberg, Sherry Smith, Midnight Steiner, Toni Tadolini, Tammy, Sue, Willow & Palmer, Sue Thelen, Barbara Thompson, Margaret & Alfred Wirtenberg, Diana & Harry Workmon. Your support went directly into helping the Black Team throughout the race and we appreciate you.

To all our other kennel sponsors and supporters, VIPs, Champions, Dog Fan Club members – thank you. We have the best fans and supporters in the world!