Plenty of interest in Yukon Arctic Ultra race despite last year's injuries

International headlines about frostbite and amputations haven't kept people away from the Yukon Arctic Ultra.

Last year's race saw frigid temperatures and one Italian athlete lost two feet and both hands to severe frostbite after wandering alone for hours.

A British man hadthree of his toes amputated, two months after they wereirreparably injured by severe frostbiteduring the race.

Founder and organizer Robert Pollhammer said candidates have been calling from across Canada as well as England, Germany, the U.S.andsome new nationsthis year like Slovenia and Romania.

This is not some joke or funny adventure. This is serious business.- Robert Pollhammer, founder of Yukon Arctic Ultra

Pollhammer said 85 peoplehave registered so far.

The turnout isn't a recordbut it doesn'tseem to have dipped after last year's misfortunes.

The Yukon Arctic Ultra is a long-distance race where athletes can choose to compete by mountain bike, cross-country ski or foot.

Routes can range between 160 kilometres to a gruelling 690 kilometres.

New screening measure in place this year

Pollhammer said candidates are being screened this year.

For the first time, each caller is now interviewed by phone.During thisprocess,Pollhammer said he discusses the risks.

"I amliterally tellingpeoplethey can die out there,"hesaid."This is not some joke or funny adventure. This is serious business when it gets that cold."

Pollhammer said the race organizers will make it as safe as possible but that "there is no 100per centsafety."

But he said he's confident the athleteswill sufficiently prepare.

Onesmall change this year is that the Yukon Arctic Ultra will provide batteries for GPS locators. Some runners had used the wrong type of batteries in the pastmaking tracking more difficult.

Pollhammer said it's too early to tell what conditions will be when the racekicks off on Feb. 3 on the same trail used by mushers in the Yukon Quest.

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