More than 30 race teams and hundreds of fans gathered for the official start of the Cain’s Quest Snowmobile Race Sunday on Tanya Lake in Labrador City. 

Under blue sky and temperatures of minus-12, the race started at 10 a.m. with an enthusiastic crowd cheering on the teams of two, which will cover over 3,000 kilometres of wilderness and rugged terrain over the next week or so.

On Saturday, racers learned the route would be shortened slightly for safety reasons with melting ice on the south coast of Labrador. Organizer Chris Lacey said the new route will get racers to places like Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Nain sooner, but is still just over 3,100 kilometres long.

Weather forced the cancellation of last year’s race, but organizers say this year, despite conditions in some areas not being ideal, they’re committed to running the race to the finish line.