Yukon Quest neck and neck between mushers Allen Moore, Brent Sass

Yukon Quest International Dog Sled Race mushers Allen Moore and Brent Sass continued their nail-biting pace Sunday as they raced through the early morning towards their last checkpoint before the finish line.

The mushers arrived at theCarmackscheckpoint on Saturday for a little rest. Moore, from Two Rivers, Alaska, arrived first but Sass, from Manley Hot Springs, Alaska, blew through the checkpoint,leaving Moore to play catch-up.

Its the first time Ive slept since Dawson, Moore said while resting inCarmacks.

Maybe Ill make a right decision this time. Its amazing when youre going on sled runners and you cant stay awake.

Moore has taken the lead. He arrived at Braeburn, 156 kilometres from the finish line, early Sunday morning while Sass remains sharp on his heels.

The Braeburn Lodge stop includesa mandated eight-hour layover.

Once they are refreshed and stocked with supplies,the musherswill speed towards the finish line at the Takhini Hot Springs, 30 kilometres north of Whitehorse.

Hugh Neff ofTok, Alaska, is in third place,approximately 10 kilometres behind Sass. In fourth place is Cody Strathe, who is resting at Pelly Crossing.

The 1,600-kilometre journey,which began Feb. 1 in in Fairbanks, Alaska,is predicted to come to an end Sunday night.