Iqaluit (Mar 22/04) - It's not like any other race. This course is 360 km across the barren Arctic.

It's the annual Nunavut Snow Challenge. The competitors will start in Iqaluit and travel by snowmobile as fast as they can to Kimmirut, then they will turn around and head back to Iqaluit.

"Last year the winner completed the race in three hours and two minutes," said James Patterson, owner of Nunavut Productions and race organizer. "That time is still unbelievable."

Since 2002, when Patterson started organizing the race, he has been amazed at how fast it's grown. This year they are expecting 50 to 60 racers at the event. He said they have already received registrations from across the North, including Northern Quebec.

"I think this is very exciting," he said. "It's a chance to showcase Iqaluit and Nunavut to the rest of the world."

The race starts at 10 a.m. on March 27.

Televised event

Along with attracting racers to the North, the event will have nation-wide coverage.

Nunavut Productions and Athans Communication will be filming the race for the Outdoor Life Network and TSN. Patterson said OLN ran footage of last year's race and this year proves to be even bigger.

"We're constantly expanding," he said. "We have a helicopter following the entire race."

This year, the organizers have expanded the event to have something for everyone. The Northern Pikes will be performing in Iqaluit on March 26. Along with the musical entertainment, Ed the Sock from MuchMusic will be in Iqaluit interviewing local residents.

"We want to keep expanding this event," said Patterson. "We want this to be something everyone wants to be involved in."