And they're off! Cain's Quest 2024 kicks off in Labrador City

Racers of Cain's Quest set off from Tanya Lake in Labrador City on Sunday. (Alex Kennedy/CBC)

Cain's Quest 2024 is officially underway, kicking off in Labrador City under sunny skies.

Competitors of the Labrador snowmobile endurance race will travel more than 3,000 kilometres over the next week, covering much of the Big Land and parts of Quebec.

The race was also going to cover the south coast of Labrador, but the route was changed on Saturday to avoid poor racing conditions.

Andrew Milley of Wabush, who has won the race twice, said preparations have been hectic in the days leading up to the race. Now, he said, he's just ready to get out there.

"I'm happy that we are finally here and we just get to ride snowmobile," Milley told CBC News before reaching the starting line. "It has been absolute chaos with route changes and stuff…Now we just get to do the good part and just ride snowmobile."

The new route will send racers on a 650 km loop of Labrador West and into Schefferville, Que. on the opening day before returning to rest in Labrador City. As the race continues, Milley said, racers will leave Churchill Falls on the final leg and return to Schefferville before ending in Labrador City.

The change has led Milley's partner, three-time champion Rob Gardner, left unsure of what to expect heading into the race.

"I don't have any expectations other than that I want to finish," said Gardner, who travels to Labrador from Maine for the race. "I think Cain's Quest is committed to finish. I think we have to finish no matter what."

Andrew Milley, left and Rob Gardner make up Team 22. Both have won the race multiple times, and are excited to get back out into the Labrador wilderness. (Jeremy Eaton/CBC)

Racing in remembrance

Other teams in the race, like Team 72, are racing in remembrance.

The team, named Mark's Legacy, is racing in honour of Mark d'Eon. d'Eon died in 2021 after battling cancer, and 72 marks the year of his birth.

"He wanted to do this race, and he didn't get to do it. So we're doing it for him," said Shirley Mood, d'Eon's mother in law, at the starting line. "I think it's an honour and everybody is thrilled."

From left: Gen Layvers, Shirley Mood and Kenda d'Eon Amiro stand at the Cain's Quest starting line hold signs cheering on Team 72. The team is racing in honour of Mood's son-in-law, Mark d'Eon. (Alex Kennedy/CBC)

d'Eon's father in law, Almond Mood of Woods Harbour, N.S., said he and his partner are making sure that Mark gets to be part of the race — and knows he'll be watching over them.

"We have his ashes in our pockets...and his memories in our head," Mood said.

Max Penashue, racing in his third Cain's Quest, is also racing with his daughter close to his heart. She died of a drug overdose involving fentanyl, he said, and wants to highlight the need for leadership through decals on his snowmobile.

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