Race details:
• Date: July 5, 2025
• Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
• Distance: 50 Miles or 50km, 2 Person Relay 50km
• Elevation Gain: 2500m (50 Mile)
• Registration: Sold out for 2025
Runners charge off the starting line at the Raven 50 Ultra in Whitehorse, Yukon – a race that greets the day under the midnight sun. The Raven 50 Mile Ultra & Relay is not your average trail race. It’s the only mountain ultra-distance trail running event in the Yukon, Canada, and it has quickly become one of the most anticipated endurance challenges of the summer [1]. With a course that’s gruling, challenging, and one-of-a-kind beautiful, the Raven 50 offers participants a taste of Yukon’s wild backcountry and a hearty dose of northern community spirit.
Where Wilderness Meets Endurance
Set in the vast subarctic playground around Whitehorse, the Raven 50 Ultra leads runners on a breathtaking journey across the traditional lands of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. This is truly a run on the wild side – think flowy singletrack trails, quad tracks, and alpine ridgelines that dish out over 2500 metres of elevation gain across three mountain ridges and two summits.
Along the 50-mile (80 km) route (with a 50 km option and a two-person relay available), racers ford icy creeks, tackle steep climbs (one ascent rockets from ~800 m to 1400+ m in just 5 km!), and cruise down fun switchbacks through boreal forest [3]. This rugged terrain isn’t just for show – it’s tough.
When a pre-race briefing includes an opening prayer and a bear safety meeting before runners head into the woods, you know you’re in for a true wilderness adventure.
And yet, every painful climb is rewarded with jaw-dropping vistas of Yukon peaks and valleys bathed in daylight that can last late into the evening. In early July, the sun barely sets, so competitors literally run under the legendary midnight sun, making the experience even more magical for those who relish long days on the trail.
But don’t be fooled by the stunning scenery – the Raven is a serious test of endurance. Race organizers caution that this should not be your first long-distance trail race [5]. The combination of technical trail sections, remote stretches, and rapidly changing mountain weather means runners need solid experience under their belts.
There are multiple aid stations (seven or more) spaced along the course to keep racers fueled and safe [3], but participants must be prepared for self-sufficiency in true backcountry style. If you ever find yourself feeling too spent to continue, dropping out isn’t as simple as catching a ride – you may have to hike to the nearest access point or hunker down until help arrives [5].
In short, the Raven 50 demands respect. It’s rugged, remote, and relentless – exactly what seasoned ultrarunners crave. Past editions have seen just over a hundred hardy souls line up at dawn, ready to tackle this beast, and many attest it’s one of the toughest (and most rewarding) 50-milers out there [1].
More Than a Race: Community and Culture at the Core
One thing that sets the Raven 50 Ultra apart is its big heart and deep community roots. This event is organized by Run for Life, a Yukon nonprofit that believes in “building stronger communities through sport” [3].
From day one, the Raven 50 has been about more than just clocking miles – it’s about coming together as a community, honoring the land, and inspiring new generations of runners. In fact, “Together We Fly” is the race’s motto, and you feel that uplifting camaraderie every step of the way.
A cornerstone of the Raven 50’s ethos is its partnership with local First Nations and commitment to reconciliation. In recent years, the race team (headed by Race Director Natalie Thivierge and crew) worked closely with Indigenous storytellers and elders to infuse the event with First Nations culture and respect [6]. The very name and sections of the course carry Indigenous language place names and legends, connecting runners to the rich heritage of the Yukon land they traverse.
The race obtained special permission to cross sensitive settlement lands, and every runner is encouraged to arrive not just fit, but “well-informed with knowledge of, and respect for, the land and her peoples.” [3]
It’s a powerful sentiment that transforms the ultra into a journey of understanding.
Moreover, Raven 50 puts its money where its mouth is when it comes to community impact. The organizers offer complimentary entries for Indigenous participants, actively welcoming First Nations runners to the start line. A portion of every registration fee (and all donations raised) goes right back into local youth outdoor programs – like Gary Bailie’s Kwanlin Koyotes, which encourages Yukon youth to run, hike, ski and connect with the land for wellness [1].
In 2024, Raven proceeds helped fund the Koyotes’ work, and in 2025 the race’s charitable focus shifted to the Fireweed Runners, a non-competitive girls’ running group in Whitehorse that supports mental health (founded by Thivierge herself).
Come race day, you’ll see the whole community out in force – from volunteers at every checkpoint (cheering and ready with tasty locally-catered food) to families and youth groups rallying around finish line festivities. This ultra truly embodies Yukon’s inclusive, vibrant spirit.
Race Buzz: Sold-Out Success and How to Experience It
It’s no surprise that the Raven 50 Ultra has exploded in popularity. Word is out that this race offers a unique blend of challenge, beauty, and community that you won’t find anywhere else. In fact, the upcoming 2025 edition (July 5, 2025) sold out almost as soon as registration opened – a testament to the huge demand for an ultra-marathon experience “up north.”
The event draws not only the Yukon’s hardiest runners but also ultra-distance enthusiasts from across Canada and beyond, all eager for a crack at those Yukon ridges under endless daylight.
If you managed to snag an entry, congratulations – you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime.
If you’re volunteering or supporting – it’s a front-row seat to the action, and you’ll get to soak in the inspiring stories as runners push through fatigue with smiles (or grimaces) on their faces. Spectators can also catch the start at the Mt. McIntyre Recreation Centre (soak in that electric 6:00 a.m. atmosphere when the gun goes off!), or stake out a viewpoint near an accessible aid station to witness runners emerging from the wilderness.
And for those following from afar, keep an eye on social media – the @ravenultra50miler Instagram and our Zone4 (@zone4timing) Instagram will likely share live updates, photos, and runner tales as they unfold.
Finally, if reading about the Raven 50 has lit a fire in you, why not start dreaming and training for next year? The Raven is poised to become an annual highlight on the ultra-running calendar, so it’s never too early to put it on your radar (and on your bucket list).
As the organizers like to say, together we fly – whether you’re racing, volunteering, or cheering, the Raven 50 Ultra’s spirit of adventure and community is infectious. In the Yukon’s wild and welcoming embrace, this race has found a home – and you just might find a piece of yourself out on those trails.
Sources
- https://www.travelyukon.com/en/see-and-do/events/raven-50-mile-ultra
- https://raven.runforlife.ca/race-info/course
- https://raven.runforlife.ca/about
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vIYKpBvL-4 (Race Briefing 2023)
- https://raven.runforlife.ca/race-info/register
- https://www.sportyukon.com/events/raven-50
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