Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
During the unforgiving depths of an Alaskan winter in late January 1925, a desperate race against time unfolded. Teams of sled dogs and their mushers braved relentless winds, blinding snow, and sub-zero temperatures to deliver a life-saving diphtheria antitoxin to the remote town of Nome. With an epidemic looming, 20 mushers and about 150 sled dogs relayed the precious cargo across 674 miles (1,085 km) of treacherous terrain in just five and a half days—a legendary feat that became known as the Serum Run or the Great Race of Mercy. At about 5:30am on February 2, 1925, the final musher, Gunnar Kaasen, and his lead dog, Balto, arrived in Nome to deliver the antitoxin, saving countless lives.
This program commemorating the event, "Serum Race to Nome" is narrated by Larry Beck. It was produced circa 1976 by the Alaska Bicentennial Review within the KUAC Television video production facilities at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks (Color/Sound/Videotape).
Please note: This program contains language and terminology that reflect the time period in which it was created. Some terms may now be considered outdated or inappropriate. We share this content as part of the historical record, with respect for the communities represented.
This program is AAF-11809 held by the Alaska Film Archives, a unit of the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives Department in the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The Alaska Film Archives appreciates your support. Your donation in any amount will help us continue important preservation work. Please visit the “About” section of our YouTube channel to learn how you can help today. Thank you! For more information please contact the Alaska Film Archives.
During the unforgiving depths of an Alaskan winter in late January 1925, a desperate race against time unfolded. Teams of sled dogs and their mushers braved relentless winds, blinding snow, and sub-zero temperatures to deliver a life-saving diphtheria antitoxin to the remote town of Nome. With an epidemic looming, 20 mushers and about 150 sled dogs relayed the precious cargo across 674 miles (1,085 km) of treacherous terrain in just five and a half days—a legendary feat that became known as the Serum Run or the Great Race of Mercy. At about 5:30am on February 2, 1925, the final musher, Gunnar Kaasen, and his lead dog, Balto, arrived in Nome to deliver the antitoxin, saving countless lives.
This program commemorating the event, "Serum Race to Nome" is narrated by Larry Beck. It was produced circa 1976 by the Alaska Bicentennial Review within the KUAC Television video production facilities at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks (Color/Sound/Videotape).
Please note: This program contains language and terminology that reflect the time period in which it was created. Some terms may now be considered outdated or inappropriate. We share this content as part of the historical record, with respect for the communities represented.
This program is AAF-11809 held by the Alaska Film Archives, a unit of the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives Department in the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The Alaska Film Archives appreciates your support. Your donation in any amount will help us continue important preservation work. Please visit the “About” section of our YouTube channel to learn how you can help today. Thank you! For more information please contact the Alaska Film Archives.
