Day 5 of Ivakkak starts at 9 am under blue skies, and a temperature of -30 degrees Celsius with winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour. Aupaluk to Nuluartalik takes everyone from 3hours to about 7 hours to Ivakkak and the racers feel the push!

The trail is 24 miles long and is fairly smooth all the way to Nuluartalik (means the place that has nets) between Aupaluk and Kangirsuk. Junior May arrives in 3 hours and 10 minutes as Charlie Watt Jr. makes it in 3 hours and 21 minutes. They remain at first and second while Taamusie comes in at 3 hours 38 minutes remaining at third as Willie follows by fourteen minutes at 3 hours 52 minutes but still in fifth position overall. Bobby remains in fourth position overall though he arrives fifth today at 4 hours 41 minutes at the same time as Charlie Inukpuk.

Simionie, who has been trailing behind everyone, realizes his young dogs cannot go on anymore. So challenging has the daily run been for them that they have tired out and are no longer Ivakkaking and Simionie decides to pull out of the race. They are towed to Kangirsuk. Simionie decides he will bring his team all the way to the end at Quartaq, by snowmobile, and how disappointing it must be but he will see the end of the race with his dogs! Next year perhaps, his dogs will be stronger and more experienced.

Here are today’s results in the order of their positions and their total accumulated time.

Junior May 3h10, accumulating 17h5

Charlie Watt Jr. 3h21, 17h29

Taamusie Sivuaraapik 3h38, 19h49

Bobby Novalinga 4h41, 21h39

Willie Kullulaaq 3h52, 22h5

Charlie Inukpuk 4h41, 23h47

Massiu Nassaq 5h40, 29h12

Adamie Inukpuk 7h20, 32h45

George Annanack 7h20, 57h28

Harry Okpik 7h7, 57h55

Simionie Elijasiapik leaves the race

The last leg of the race is from Kangirsuk to Quartaq, and some of the teams are very close to one another. It will be a tight race toward the end!