As of Monday, May 26, 907 bikers have signed up for the Kluane to Chilkat International Bike Relay after registration was extended from May 8 to May 15. The decision to extend registration came after the KCIBR board noticed an increase in registration numbers as the deadline approached. Race coordinator Monika Kozlerová thought that one factor for this was that Yukon residents were preoccupied with other things when registration opened,  like the Arctic Winter Games which ran March 8 to 15. Registration for the race opened on March 13.

Kozlerová said the current registration numbers are “very similar to what we had last year.” She continued, saying “we definitely feel the push of people not wanting to go to the states and to Alaska.” Historical registration numbers were around 1,200 according to Kozlerová.

Seeing how registration numbers have held steady at 900 the past two years, Kozlerová said the board has weighed a few ideas for the future of the race. One option is to make the race a bit smaller and maxing the number of riders to around 900.

“It might not be 1,200 but 900 people in one race on one day, is still pretty spectacular,” said Kozlerová. Having fewer racers would mean hiring less race officials and making checkpoints smaller to cover costs. The second option, which Kozlerová prefers more, would be to advertise more within the U.S. for the race.

“A lot of people from Alaska don’t even know this race exists,” Kozlerová said. She hopes to target bike shops within Alaska and Seattle to spread the word further across the country. 

For Kozlerová, the race is about “being on the bikes, being in nature, being there with friends.”ached. Race coordinator Monika Kozlerová thought that one factor for this was that Yukon residents were preoccupied with other things when registration opened,  like the Arctic Winter Games which were from March 8 to 15. Registration for the race opened on March 13.

Kozlerová said the current registration numbers are “very similar to what we had last year.” She continued saying “we definitely feel the push of people not wanting to go to the states and to Alaska.” Historical registration numbers were around 1,200 according to Kozlerová.

Seeing how registration numbers have held steady at 900 over the past two years, Kozlerová said the board has weighed a few ideas for the future of the race. One option is to make the race a bit smaller and maxing the number of riders to 900 or over 900.

“It might not be 1,200 but 900 people in one race on one day, is still pretty spectacular,” said Kozlerová. Having fewer racers would mean hiring less race officials and making checkpoints smaller to cover costs. The second option, which Kozlerová prefers more, would be to advertise more within the U.S. for the race.

“A lot of people from Alaska don’t even know this race exists,” Kozlerová said. She hopes to target bike shops within Alaska and Seattle to spread the word further across the country. 

For Kozlerová, the race is about “being on the bikes, being in nature, being there with friends.”