The Percy DeWolfe Memorial Mail Race celebrated its 50th anniversary from March 5 to March 8, 2026, in Dawson City, Yukon, as local police helped continue a historical northern tradition. The event honors the legacy of Percy DeWolfe, who delivered mail by dog team, horse, and boat for nearly 40 years.
Officers from the RCMP Dawson City Detachment took part in the opening ceremonies by overseeing the official handover of the mailbags. This ceremonial role mirrors the real-life partnership from the 1930s when mail carriers like DeWolfe would meet with police officers at remote checkpoints to exchange mail sacks.
This year, 14 teams participated in the event organized by the Dawson City Dog Powered Sports Association. The competition included four different categories, ranging from a 68-kilometre open race to the main 297-kilometre challenge.
Michael Burntick took first place in the 297-kilometre race, finishing with a time of 23 hours and 49 minutes. Sean de Wolsk won the 160-kilometre junior race, while Melissa Anthony finished first in the skijor event and Jonathan Lucas won the open race.
The race remains a tribute to DeWolfe, who was known as the Iron Man of the North for his dedication to his route between Dawson City and Eagle, Alaska. Although this year’s route stayed within the border, the race continues to celebrate the unique history of mail delivery in the Yukon.
