Balto's Race to Nome, Alaska Celebrates 100th Anniversary: also Known as the Great Race of Mercy

Balto with Gunnar Kaasen, Photo AKC

Balto image, Wikipedia

In 1925 diphtheria was spreading in Alaska. The Serum Run, also known as the Great Race of Mercy took place on February 1, 1925 to transport diphtheria antitoxin by dog sled. The race consisted of about 20 mushers, 150 sled dogs that traveled over 674 miles for 5 1/2 days in temperatures that were as low as 50 below zero.

Balto was the lead sled dog on the final stretch to Nome with his team ran 55 miles. Balto is considered a hero with two statutes of him; one in Central Park in New York City and the other in downtown Anchorage, Alaska. This race should not be confused with the Iditarod Sled Dog Race since that was created in 1973 as an event to test the best sled dogs and mushers traveling 938 miles for Anchorage to Nome, Alaska.