FABULOUS AT 40 A milestone Year For The Klondike Road Relay

It’s one of the most-epic logistical and athletic feats to be pulled off in the Yukon and Alaska. Over 300 volunteers are recruited. Approximately 1,800 runners make their way from Skagway to Whitehorse every year. Only the pandemic in 2020 could stop this much-anticipated annual event. And in 2023, the Klondike Road Relay (KRR) is turning 40.

The relay was started by the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon, to attract visitors in 1983. A few years later, it was taken over by Sport Yukon, who have been running it ever since. For four decades, teams of 10 people have covered the 175-kilometre course. Legs range in distance from 10 kilometres of steep uphill to White Pass Summit, a 25-kilometre leg through the wee hours into Carcross, and a 14-kilometre “princess leg” from Carcross to Emerald Lake.

There have been a few small adjustments in the relay over the years; for example, in checkpoint locations. Other more-significant changes have made the event accessible to a greater number of people. A scaled-back version of the relay was started for youth a few years ago. Beginning in 2022, the modified race became an option for adults as well. These races start from Carcross, and runners complete half-legs, which are “a little bit more achievable for some people than running the full legs,” KRR race director Liz Butler explained.

Teams of friends, co-workers and competitive athletes return, year after year. Individuals who have run all 10 legs (and there have been about 300 of them) have their names engraved on the Senators Cup. The award was established by former Yukon Senator Dan Lang as a way of recognizing people who’ve tackled the entire 175-kilometre course.

The fact that so many people run the relay, multiple times, makes it difficult to say how many runners in total have participated, Butler said. The majority of participants are Yukoners, with about one-third of them being from outside—mostly Alaskans, with a few folks from other parts of the U.S. and Canada.

For the fortieth running of the relay, participants can expect several anniversary-themed touches in the race. Event merchandise including T-shirts, toques, as well as the label on the KRR’s very own Yukon Brewing beer, will feature a design celebrating the milestone year. There may be decadethemed checkpoints, for example with volunteers dressed in 80sstyle clothing, or speakers playing 90s music.

“The KRR is a part of Yukon history, and our goal this year is to have our runners feel that they’re a part of that history,” Butler said. The celebratory event will also feature the “iconic” race announcer Steve Fleck, who will energize and elevate the crowd at the finish line.

“He’s probably the premier endurance-race announcer for the whole of Canada,” Butler said of Fleck.

“It makes a really big difference to the finish line, having someone there who can make it seem really exciting every time someone crosses the finish line, and really tying in the person who crosses the finish line with the crowd.”

Fleck will also be doing a workshop for Yukoners who would like to brush up on their announcing skills and learn “how to bring together all the parties at the finish line and how to make that fin-

What’s

ish line super exciting.”

The post-race festivities will include the Party in the Park on September 9 in Rotary Park. The party will serve up the awards ceremony, beer garden, food trucks, vendors and games. Every race participant will receive a “wooden nickel” worth five dollars towards anything at the party, such as merch or beer. Teams can register online until August 26. Butler says registration is already at around 60 per cent and she expects it to sell out. The relay is run over two days, September 8 and 9.

To register or volunteer, visit the KRR website: klondikeroadrelay.com ■

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Chicken & Bacon

Idiomatic Origins

The world should have more ducks, really, and according to a well-known idiom, they should be in a row. That’s right, Get your ducks in a row.

I was (pun intended) somewhat bowled over when I did a Google search and discovered that getting your ducks in a row had a bowling reference. Before the days of automatic reset at bowling alleys, “duck pins” had to be reset by hand before the next bowl.

That’s one popular reference. News to me.

The other one that comes to mind—probably to most of our minds—when we hear this idiom is that ducks really do waddle in a (semi) straight line. Of course, these adorable straight lines are composed largely of ducklings led by their devoted mother. However she does it, she definitely knows how to get those young’uns in a row. They know they better keep their eyes on mama if they want to keep their feathers intact (please don’t ask what that might mean; it’s a family friendly paper and I think you can guess).

And there is also an image that comes to mind of a “Duck Shoot” at a carnival, where ducks may be fair game but not easy targets.

But the most common way this idiom is used is not nearly as cute as a row of darling ducklings. If your boss tells you to get your ducks in a row, you know you better pay attention. If your significant other tells you that, there may indeed be trouble in paradise. If a teacher says it, well, they may just be looking out for your future or nudging you towards your full potential.

And many of us have said this to ourselves or about ourselves. Time to get my ducks in a row! A fitting idiom for me at this point in my life as I implement healthier life choices. A little course correction, evaluation, adjustment, encouragement, preparation—however you want to think of it—can be a good thing for all of us. Sometimes we just need to be re-routed so we truly can arrive at our next “destination.”

The idiom is a meaningful one but not a threatening one; after all, how threatening is a row of ducklings. Such an endearing thought. Perhaps a motivating one

So, get your ducks in a row!

To learn more about wetlands and ducks, check out ducks.ca. ■

Teen Camp

Age 12-14

PeeWee/Junior 1 Camp

Age 6-11

June 25-29 ($275) July 3-7 ($275)

PeeWee/Junior 2 Camp Junior/Teen Camp

Age 6-11 Age 9-14

July 10-13 ($250) July 16-20 ($275)

Come join us for a weeklong overnight camp on the shores of beautiful Braeburn Lake. You will enjoy canoeing, swimming, crafts, campfires, drama, good food, as well as an interdenominational Christian learning time focussing on friendship and compassion. For more information and forms, email us at: braeburncamp@gmail.com

24 juin

Klondike Institute of Art and Culture Dawson City, YT

SATURDAY ARTIST MARKETS

Saturdays, 11-3pm

FRONT STREET PICNIC SHELTER

IN THE ODD GALLERY: ANNIE CANTO & JASMINA MAJCENIC | MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRY

Lineup 2023

MAY 29 - JULY 7, 2023

Celebrating 27 Years

LIVE performances & visual art demonstrations

@LEPAGE PARK

SHOWTIMES:

MON-FRI 12-1PM & WED 7-8PM

KID FOCUSED

PERFORMANCES: WED 12-1PM

PLUS Music at the Market FIREWEED MARKET IN SHIPYARDS PARK THURS 5-6PM

Week 4

JUNE 19 - JUNE 23

MON JUNE 19

THE BIG BAND

TUE JUNE 20

SONGWRITERS’ CIRCLE WITH PEGGY HANNIFAN, KIM BEGGS, & BJ MACLEAN

WED JUNE 21 – TBA

WED JUNE 21

BRIA ROSE & THORNS WITH MOBB DIGGITY @ 7:00PM

THUR JUNE 22

KABN

FRI JUNE 23

DANIEL JANKE & JORDY WALKER

PLUS! CARVING & PAINTING WITH BLAKE SHAÁ’KOON LEPINE!

W: musicyukon.com/artsinthepark/

THE LITTLE MERMAID

& sun matinee

Marshall, 135 MINS

MAURH

& sun, daily Jatinder Mauhar, 130 MINS

FREE: YUKON ON SCREEN

VOICES ACROSS THE WATER thurs, 1:30 p m

Fritz Mueller, 84 MINS

FREE: YUKON ON SCREEN

POLARIS fri, 5:30 p.m.

KC Carthew, 89 MINS

JUNE

JUNE for more info! ……………………….. ü Feel free to attend with no obligation, any Toastmaster (TM) meeting. ü You can attend 3 meetings as a guest while deciding to join. ü You can just show up at a meeting before we begin (11:55am).

Do you have a fear of PUBLIC SPEAKING?

Would you like to improve your public speaking skills, build confidence and hone your listening skills?

Actually, great value for the benefit, private public speaking professionals charge hundreds of dollars for courses, TM is much more affordable.

WHEN: Thursdays noon to 1pm (meet at 11:50 to noon at door)

WHERE : Northwestel bldg, Lambert St & 3rd Ave (blue coloured door around back side)

QUESTIONS: herbeeking(at)hotmail.com

GUESTS WELCOME

En concert : Étienne Fletcher Beau Nectar

May 19 - June 22

Fletcher

Soir de Semaine

Entrée gratuite

Ouverture des portes à 19 h

Lieu historique national du S.S. Klondike

SOLSTICE ST. JEAN WITH NEW HERMITAGE & BEAU NECTAR

Friday, June 23, Doors open: 7:30 / Showtime: 8:00 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ASSOCIATION FRANCO-YUKONNAISE & JAZZ YUKON

Camions-restaurants

Camions-restaurants sur place solstice.afy.ca

Open House

July 28 at the Old Fire Hall

50 Years And Celebrating

Annie Avery and Keitha Clark entertaining

Door Prizes

EVERYONE WELCOME

YUKON FAMILY LITERACY CENTRE

DROP-IN PROGRAMS 2023

MORNING PROGRAMS 10-11am

Monday: Baby Sign 0-24 months

Tuesday: Power of Painting All Ages

Wednesday: Construction Zone All Ages

Thursday: Reserved for group use Closed to the public

Friday: Hooked on Stories All Ages

AFTERNOONS & SATURDAYS

Tel: (867) 993-5005

Email: kiac@kiac.ca

Website: www.kiac.ca

Youth Drop-In Centre

Recreational program for teen-years youth

When: Tuesday to Friday 3pm to 9 pm & Sat 1-9 pm

Ages: 12-18 years old

For more info: See Facebook page for schedule & activities, or email Oliver: obulpitt@bcgyukon.com

AllStars After School Program

An affordable, quality after school program

When: Monday to Friday 3-5:00 pm following the school calendar.

Ages: Ages 6-11 years old

Cost: Tuition fees as follows: $315/month allstars@bgcyukon.com for inquiries

Location: Downtown/Takhini Elementary

Learning Tree Early Years Centre An affordable, quality, licensed childcare program

When: Monday to Friday 7:30am-5:15pm

Ages: 18 months - 5 years of age

Cost: Tuition fees as follows:

Toddler: $160/month, Preschool: $150/month Emily Howard at 393-2824 ext 206 or eypd@bgcyukon.com

Location: Riverdale

Porcupine Squad

Family Free Play Drop-In: All Ages Enjoy crafts, play dough, painting, reading and more. FOR

Mon/Tues/Wed & Fri: 9am-12pm,12:30pm-3pm Thurs: 12:30pm-3pm Sat: 10am – 2pm The FLC will be closed Dec 24 – Jan 3.

A weekly, action-focused circle of fire + fellowship for those who identify as male. A safe + brave space for men to share their wins and challenges, dig deeper into what’s really holding you back, have honest conversations, set goals and be accountable.

Call/text Michael at 867-332-4722 or email: mjvernon@gmail.com arkabrotherhood.com