News

2/14/26

Newsbreak: Team Deeter's Exit and Severe Weather Alters Course

Defending champion Jeff Deeter has scratched from the race at the Yukon River Bridge checkpoint, citing concerns for his team’s long-term health and trail conditions. Deeter, who was running in second place behind leader Josi Shelley, made the decision Friday after his team struggled with a stomach bug and what he described as a severe lack of trail markers on the river. With the Iditarod looming next month, the Fairbanks musher opted to prioritize the recovery of his nine-dog team rather than risk further strain on the remaining 300 miles of the course.

Compounding the dramatic exit, race officials have announced a significant route change due to deteriorating weather and rough trail conditions. The race will no longer travel to the community of Tanana as originally planned; instead, mushers will bypass the village entirely. The revised course will now direct teams from the Rampart area directly to Manley Hot Springs, cutting out the treacherous stretch along the Yukon River that has been hammered by recent storms. The alteration aims to ensure the safety of the remaining competitors as they navigate the final legs of the 750-mile loop back to Fairbanks.

2/10/26

Keaton Loebrich Puts Dog Team Safety First at Mile 101

Musher Keaton Loebrich is receiving praise for his dedication to his team after making the tough call to withdraw from the race at the Mile 101 checkpoint. Throughout the journey, Loebrich demonstrated exceptional care for his dogs, repeatedly scouting ahead on foot and even crawling through deep snow to ensure his team had a safe path forward.

The challenges peaked near Eagle Summit, where extreme winds and a buried trail created a stressful environment for the dogs. When a scuffle broke out between two teammates, Loebrich acted quickly to separate them and immediately returned to the checkpoint for a veterinary evaluation. Even though the dogs were cleared with only minor scratches, Loebrich chose to drop them from the team to prioritize their comfort and recovery.

In a second attempt to reach the summit, Loebrich faced even harsher conditions. When two dogs became loose in the storm, he successfully recovered them and made the compassionate decision to scratch. He noted that while the dogs were physically capable, he wanted to protect their spirit and mental well-being.

Loebrich stated that his greatest joy is ensuring his dogs run for the love of the sport. By choosing to end the race early, he ensured his team finished their adventure on a positive note, healthy and ready for their next journey together.

2/9/26

Trail Update: Scratch at Mile 101

February 8, 2026 – 23:52

Keaton Loebrich (Bib #2) has made the difficult decision to scratch at the Mile 101 checkpoint. According to Race Marshal John Schandelmeier, Loebrich chose to withdraw in the best interest of his team.

While it is always a tough decision to step off the trail, the Yukon Quest Alaska commends Keaton for putting the health and safety of his dogs first. We sincerely appreciate his entry in our inaugural 750-mile race and wish him and his team a safe journey home and all the best in their future runs!

2/8/26

We Have an 80 Mile Fun Run Winner 

Keira Irish pulled in ahead of the pack. Her tracker through Trackleaders.com records a time of 14hrs 7min!
Next comes Sonja Truffer, Katrina Handler, followed by Nelson Wappett, Jennifer Nelson,Torlief Bentzen, Anna Westfall, and Joe LaManga.

Great race teams! Steak and tail wags to you!

2/6/26

Yukon Quest Alaska Update: 850-Mile Route and Start Order Confirmed

At yesterday's pre-race meeting, Yukon Quest Alaska officials announced that the 2026 course has been officially mapped at 850 miles. While initial estimates placed the new circular route at 750 miles, final GPS tracking and trail scouting confirmed the longer distance.

The race begins and ends in Fairbanks, taking teams through remote Interior checkpoints including Nenana, Tanana, and Fort Yukon.

Official Start Order

Jason Mackey will lead the field out of the starting chute, followed by a competitive group of veterans and rising stars.

The Top 6 Starters:

1. Jason Mackey

2. Keaton Loebrich

3. Patrick Mackey

4. Jeff Deeter

5. Jonah Bacon

6. Josi Shelley

Meet the Mushers: Thank YOU Elks Lodge

Fans and mushers gathered at the Fairbanks Elks Lodge on Thursday for the annual Meet the Mushers event. The evening served as the official kickoff for race week, allowing the community to connect with teams before they head out on the trail.

The main event was the official bib draw, where mushers pulled their starting positions for the upcoming Yukon Quest Alaska.

Keaton Loebrich Reacts to the Draw

Keaton Loebrich of Star Gazers Racing walked away as one of the night's biggest winners, drawing Bib #2. 

Loebrich, who finished 17th in last year's Iditarod, was clearly energized by the result:

"Awesome! Guaranteed top 6 finish!" — Keaton Loebrich, on drawing the #2 bib.

While the field of competitors is small this year, it remains highly competitive as mushers vie for a piece of the $35,000 prize purse!

Whose going to win? It's anyone's guess!

2/3/26

Race Week is Here: 2026 Yukon Quest Alaska

The countdown is on at Race Headquarters. We are officially gearing up for a big week in Fairbanks as we kick off the new 750-Mile Interior Race and the 80-Mile Fun Run.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the trail, we’d love to see you at these two upcoming events:

Thursday, Feb 5: Meet the Mushers

Get an inside look at the race before the teams head out. This is your chance to hear stories from the trail and watch the start draw to see who will lead the pack.

• Where: Elks Lodge No. 1551 (Antler Room), 1003 Pioneer Road

• When: Doors open at 5:00 PM | Drawing at 7:30 PM

• Featuring: Local vendors, food, and photo opportunities with the mushers.

Saturday, Feb 7: The Main Event

Join us downtown to cheer on the teams as they start their journey through the Alaska Interior. The new 750-mile route is a true test of endurance, and the energy at the start line is always a highlight of the season.

• Where: Morris Thompson Cultural Center

• When: Saturday at 11:00 AM

• The Route: From Fairbanks to Fort Yukon, Tanana, and back—this year’s map covers some incredible territory.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We are grateful to the partners who help keep the Quest moving: Kinross Fort Knox | Alyeska Pipeline Service Company | Good Cafe | (and many others!)

Stay Updated: Check out our Facebook Page for breaking news once the race begins, and keep an eye out for news regarding our 2027 season. See you at the start line!