Yes, that's me. Luckily Race Directors get to have some of the fun, too. But they also get to go into a nice warm place again when they feel like it.

Until the end of 2002 in my regular job I worked for TUI AG which is one of the world's leading companies in the tourism industry. I had to handle a variety of different projects, e.g. implementation of the new Masterbrand in the retail organisation, Sponsorship and Innovation Management.

After having been running marathons for a couple of years, I got into adventure racing. I have enjoyed this so much thatI have decided to use the knowledge which I have acquired through my job and combine it with my love for adventure and sports. This way the GREAT OUTDOORS was born. Since January 2003 I am able to work on the GREAT OUTDOORS full time. In doing so, I am fulfilling myself a dream. And it is my goal to help you do the same thing. Just in a slightly different way, I guess. I want you to be able to participate in the world's coldest and toughest human-powered winter ultra, the YUKON ARCTIC ULTRA.

People will think that you are absolutely crazy if you decide to do this. The way I look at it, people who have never faced such a challenge are a lot crazier. Those of you who have done similar races previously know what I am talking about. The feeling of finishing such a race won't be that new to you any more. However, for you it will be a new and exciting challenge and an event you won't want to miss.

See you in the Yukon.

Diane is a UK registered Paramedic with 15 years pre-hospital and wilderness medical experience. She holds ALS and PHTLS qualifications and is a member of the Wilderness Medical Society. Diane has been involved with the race since 2005 and is responsible for recruiting and coordinating the race medics and checkpoint volunteers. Back in the UK she teaches student Paramedics as well as a range of wilderness responder courses but escapes overseas as much as possible to put her skills to use.

I am an airline pilot based in Mallorca, Spain. I have always loved sports and the outdoors. Although I now live on a Mediterranean island I am most at home in the cold and have happily climbed up and down mountains all over the world. Having completed many ironman races I looked for new challenges in the form of long distance running events including the Spine race and 4 Deserts Gobi and Patagonia races. I first came to the Yukon in 2013 to see the Northern Lights and cuddle huskies and I fell in love with the place. This was where I first heard about the MYAU and the seed was planted. I successfully completed the MDS, my first ultra race in 2014, which gave me the confidence (if not the climate training) to enter the MYAU. I completed the 430 miles in 2015, the 300 miles in 2016 and volunteered in 2017 and again in 2018. I find it hard to sit still indoors so you will probably catch me out walking the trails in between volunteer duties.

I have been involved in the MYAU since 2012 when I first came across to the Yukon on a reconnaissance mission and as a volunteer for the race. In 2013 I brought my then boyfriend Stewart Stirling and we attempted the 100 mile distance on skis but I was stopped in my tracks by an infected blister (pay heed racers!) but I have been back as a volunteer ever since and love both the Yukon and the race. No stranger to cold places I have skied across Greenland with sled dogs and lived in Norway. My job is to run the race headquarters from Scuttlebutt Lodge at Braeburn Lake and man the phone, monitor the SPOT, coordinate stuff, update the website and keep everyone at home informed about how the race is going. I get to sit in a cosy cabin doing all this while all you crazies are out there suffering in the cold. Where would I rather be though …?

Since retiring from the Police Service after my 30 year stint I have been involved almost exclusively with the outdoor industry. As a result I have been lucky enough to lead expeditions to Nepal, Borneo, Thailand and Laos. As well as the “hot stuff” I’m keen on colder climates as well and have spent time x country skiing in Norway and winter climbing in Scotland. I have been involved in long expeditions and mountain challenge events in the UK and I have also diversified into cycle guiding, leading groups on London to Paris, London to Brussels and across the Alps on Milan to Monaco rides. One of my highlights was leading a group of 24 up Kilimanjaro. Who knows what 2017 will bring. I’m really pleased to be assisting with the set up and running of Dog Grave Lake again. I know only too well what a welcome sight a checkpoint can be when out on the trail.

Medical Team

I am a 43 Year old from Gosport in England. Married with an 18 year old daughter.

My background is in Military Emergency & Pre-Hospital Care, but I now work in a GP Surgery on the south coast.

Having volunteered and suffered on the race in previous years, I appreciate how important a good support team can be. I hope my experience can help ensure a safe and enjoyable race for all competitors (well as much as you can enjoy -20c).

I'm a Coastguard in the UK and this will be my third time working as a volunteer on the MYAU. It's always a great adventure involving amazing people both athletes and support team. I'm looking forward to seeing old and new faces in 2017.

Currently serving in the British Army, I started off as a Combat Medic in 2009 before deploying to Afghanistan in 2012. After coming home, I qualified as a Paramedic with an FdSc in Paramedic Practice in 2016. Before joining the Forces, for 6 years I lived, worked and played north of Vancouver along the Sea to Sky as a ski instructor for Whistler Blackcomb and called Canada home. When I wasn't working, you would find me in the middle of nowhere climbing, hiking and camping out with friends. Now days, home is where ever the army sends me. During my summers, I used to defrost below the waves as a PADI Divemaster and Commercial Diver. So the adventure continues ...