A British Ultramarathon runner who donated his big toe to the Yukon's quirky Sourtoe Cocktail Club, completed the Dawson City challenge by downing a 'toe-quila' with his own mummified toe in the glass.

Nick Griffiths, 47, donated three toes he lost to frostbite to the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City, Canada, as he had to withdraw from the 300-mile long Yukon Arctic Race after suffering from severe frostbite last year.

During his stay in hospital, a nurse informed Mr Griffiths about the Sourtoe cocktail tradition, which involves downing a shot of whiskey or tequila with a mummified human toe in the glass. Since 1973 when the challenge started, the bar's official “Toe Master”, Terry Lee, estimates that nearly 100,000 people have completed it.

The original Sourtoe is said to have belonged to miner Louie Liken, who had his frostbitten toe removed in the 1920s but preserved it for over 50 years in alcohol in his cabin. Local Yukon Captain Dick Stevenson found it and randomly began challenging locals one evening.

Nick said: “I'm delighted to be back in the Yukon and reunited with my big toe! Doing the Sourtoe Cocktail with my own toe, is a memory I will take to my grave. I am happy to miss the snow this time though and see the beautiful Autumn colours in Dawson City instead”.

Adam Gerle, General Manager of Downtown Hotel in Dawson City, added: “We could not be more delighted to have Nick return to Dawson City. It's not every day a person can brag about doing the Sourtoe Cocktail with their own toe! After preserving it all summer, we have been waiting for Nick to be the first to down the new toe shot. We've been without a big toe for some time, so his generous Toe-Nation will help ensure the tradition continues.”

VIDEO: Yukon sourtoe cocktail

Take me to Dawson City:
Magnetic North Travel offer a three-night package to Dawson City from £545 pp. Price includes three-night stay in 3-star hotel in Dawson City, Northbound Klondike Highway journey from Whitehorse to Dawson City by minibus, a Dawson city and goldfields tour, Tombstone Provincial Park and Dempster Highway tour including picnic lunch, Top of the Midnight Dome scenic excursion and a flight from Dawson City to Whitehorse. Price based on two people sharing. To book, visit magneticnorthtravel.com

For further information on the Yukon, visit travelyukon.com