Charlie Angnatuk and partner Zachariah Saunders, both from Tasiujaq, won the 2025 Ivakkak dogsled race with a totalrace time of 26 hours and 23 minutes. The race covered 328 kilometres, beginning in Kangiqsualujjuaq on February 26 and ending in the winners’ hometown on March 6.
Angnatuk’s team finished just 14 minutes ahead of fellow Tasiujaq racers Willie Cain Jr. and Tamisa Saunders. Although Cain Jr.’s team arrived first on the final day, Angnatuk and Saunders had a faster overall time. Jean-Marie Beaulne and Jackusi Amamatuak of Puvirnituq placed third, finishing in 27 hours and 45 minutes.
The race was originally scheduled to begin on February 24 but was delayed two days due to poor weather. “The original date was supposed to be February 24. But because of the weather conditions, we delayed it to February 26,” said Lynn Moorhouse, Socio-Economic Development Manager at Makivvik and lead organizer for the Ivakkak race.
Conditions throughout the race were difficult. Teams faced temperatures around –30°C, whiteout conditions, and challenging terrain between George River and Kuujjuaq. “One of the days where they were just getting ready to start the race, they said we had white out conditions, kind of like a blizzard. So, they had to unpack everything again,” said Moorhouse.
Trail grooming was required this year, something not always necessary, she said noting that in 2024 they only had to evaluate ice conditions and did not need to take additional measures.
The 2025 Ivakkak crew members were hired from six communities: Quaqtaq, Tasiujaq, Aupaluk, Kuujjuaq, Kangiqsualujjuaq and Kangiqsujuaq. The race veterinarian also flew in from Quebec City. The route between Kangiqsualujjuaq and Kuujjuaq includes steep climbs and forested sections. “Because of the trail conditions, and the mountain, the climbing of the mountains, we had to hire extra crew to carry equipment,” Moorhouse said.
Teams travelled in pairs again this year, a decision made by the mushers. “This year it was good that they were in teams because of the trail, the trees, and ups and downs,” said Moorhouse.
Eleven teams participated, although 16 originally registered. Some teams decided that they were not ready and some teams encountered challenges with their dogs.
Each community along the route welcomed the teams with a feast, including a two-day stop in Kuujjuaq to allow dogs to rest. “They’re always excited for the teams to arrive. They get hyped up,” said Moorhouse.
This was Angnatuk’s first time winning the Ivakkak race. “It was his first year winning and it was his hometown that he arrived to. I just got goosebumps,” said Moorhouse.
This year’s prize pool saw more than $187,000 distributed to participants, in addition to airline tickets donated by Air Inuit and Canadian North, as well as other monies and airline tickets awarded to Rookie of the Year (Kyle Aitchison), Sportsmanship Award (Itsaja Angnatuk), and the Traditional Showcase Award (Kului Tukalak). FCNQ also donated generous gift certificates to this year’s winning team.
Final planning for the 2026 Ivakkak race will begin after Makivvik’s board of directors meet in the fall.
Anyone interested in participating as a musher or support staff is encouraged to contact Lynn Moorhouse directly lmoorhouse@ makivvik.ca or Nancy White at nwhite@makivvik.ca.
