It was a race against death. In 1925 a deadly disease threatened the children of Nome, Alaska. When all else failed, the town turned to 20 super “mushers” and 150 dogs to save them.

The town’s situation was desperate.

Several children had already died from diphtheria.  Townspeople feared the disease would sweep through Nome, Alaska.

To make matters worse, the only serum that could stop the outbreak was in Anchorage, nearly a thousand miles away!

The lone aircraft that could deliver the serum already had been dismantled for the winter. The only hope was to turn to sled dogs. And to the courageous “mushers” (sled drivers) who would risk their lives to take the life-saving serum to distant Nome.

The plan was audacious ... and fraught with peril. City officials would have the medicine sent by railroad from Anchorage to Nenana. From there, dogsleds would transport the serum the 674 intimidating miles to Nome.

The challenge was clear: If they failed, more children would die.