YELLOWKNIFE - It's all systems go for the Rock and Ice Ultra international snowshoe and ski race now that the event's organizer and a Yellowknives Dene chief have agreed to an alternate route.

Rock and Ice Ultra race organizer Scott Smith and Yellowknives Dene Chief Fred Sangris were all smiles Tuesday after the pair managed to chart a new race route. - Jessica Klinkenberg/NNSL photo

The race, which promises to bring 60 competitors from nine countries and features races up to 300km-long, appeared in jeopardy two weeks ago after Ndilo chief Fred Sangris complained to Yellowknife-based organizer Scott Smith that he wasn't properly consulted.

After it was reported the event could be cancelled, Sangris said he called the media to, "Set the record straight as it was not as Yellowknifer portrayed it in the newspaper."

Yesterday, the pair held a joint news conference to announce that they've reached a compromise.

"The route we've designed is much better than the original," said Smith, adding the 300km Diamond race now ends in the city.

"Before (racers) were going to finish in the middle of nowhere."

The new route takes racers from Frame Lake east to Powder Point, then south to Jennejohn Lake, back to Yellowknife, then southwest to Trout Rock, back to Yellowknife Bay, and then wraps up with a 50km loop on Great Slave Lake. The old route would've seen most of the Diamond race following the shore of Great Slave Lake.

Sangris said he was never against the race but was concerned about the culturally sensitive areas, including burial grounds, the original race route could have crossed.

Smith said he should have consulted sooner with Sangris about the competition, as race routes are located on traditional Dene territory.

"It was my responsibility (to consult with the Yellowknives Dene)," said Scott. "It was my mistake not approaching Chief Sangris."

When Sangris was asked if any responsibility lay with the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board, which was aware of race plans, Sangris said, "The water board has to remember one thing, they have to consult with us."

Smith approached the water board more than a year ago for permits, but was told by letter that he didn't need any. Consequently, he didn't seek out any other authorities for approval.

Now that the dust has settled and the race is a go, Sangris and Smith used the opportunity to announce the contribution the Yellowknives Dene will make to the event, including a community feast March 19.

"I'm hoping I can start the race," said Sangris, who mused about taking part.

He reminisced about when he would run behind his own dog team for great distances.

"If this race was being done in 1975, I would be competing," said Sangris.