Yukon Quest rolls on: More finishers in the race from Fairbanks to Tok

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Yukon Quest Alaska has a winner for its 2025 race — Jeff Deeter crossed the finish line of the 550-mile race on Thursday at 2:46 p.m.

Just under five hours later, Josi Shelley rolled into Tok with 10 dogs still on her team. It took Shelley 10 hours and 43 minutes to run from Chicken to Tok — the fastest of all mushers who have completed the race this year.

In an interview with race manager Caitlin Alexander on Facebook, Shelley described some of the race challenges and what she appreciated the most.

“There were a lot of challenges as far as the [Yukon] river, some of the wind and jumble ice and stuff,” Shelley expressed.

“So obviously that’s tough, but at the same time, it’s a highlight to me because of the dogs — them learning and just, my leader Ferdinand, he barks going up Eagle Summit, just encouraging the team when we get into wind or any tough situation.”

“Same thing, he starts barking and getting jazzed, that’s a highlight,” Shelley said.

Third and fourth place were locked down by Lauro Eklund and Jonah Bacon, respectively.

Bacon told Alexander that he enjoyed Eklund’s company. Eklund said the beauty on the trail enamored him.

Two mushers remain on the trail as of this publication — Joey Sabin and Keaton Loebrich are running close together on the trail from Chicken to Tok.

For up-to-the-minute standings and results, visit the Yukon Quest Alaska webpage.

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