1925 Serum Run
Edit ArticleIn 1925, the small town of Nome, Alaska, faced a looming epidemic of diphtheria. The only hope lay in a perilous 674-mile dog sled relay to transport life-saving diphtheria antitoxin across the harsh Alaskan terrain. The journey unfolded in the brutal winter, with mushers and their teams navigating treacherous conditions.
Nome, positioned near the Arctic Circle, was icebound and isolated from November to July, accessible only by the Iditarod Trail during winter. In 1925, the town faced a dire situation when the entire batch of diphtheria antitoxin at the local hospital expired. Dr. Curtis Welch, the town's sole doctor, urgently needed a replenishment, but the port was closed for the winter.
The outbreak unfolded rapidly, with over 20 confirmed cases by January's end, and a quarantine in place. Dr. Welch realized the imminent threat and called for help. A relay involving two fast teams was proposed, spanning 674 miles. The serum, initially located in West Coast hospitals, was transported to Nenana, Alaska. The relay's centerpiece was Leonhard Seppala, a Norwegian musher, and his remarkable lead dog, Togo.
Despite the option of air transport, the relay chose the dog sled route. Seppala's decision proved crucial as Alaska's harsh winter weather made planes unreliable. The serum, wrapped in glass vials and quilts, started its journey. The relay covered the grueling route through subzero temperatures, blizzards, and hurricane-force winds. The mushers, including "Wild Bill" Shannon, Edgar Kalland, and Gunnar Kaasen, faced extreme challenges. The serum finally arrived in Nome, with Balto's team completing the last leg.
The serum run's success had far-reaching consequences. It spurred the Kelly Act, allowing private aviation companies to bid on mail delivery contracts, leading to the establishment of air mail routes in Alaska. The relay participants received commendations, and each musher during the first relay received a gold medal. While Balto gained widespread fame, the contribution of Togo and his team was equally significant. Seppala continued mushing, with Togo contributing to the Seppala Siberian Sleddog line. Togo's legacy is preserved through his descendants, and he remains on display at the Iditarod museum in Wasilla, Alaska. The serum run is commemorated in various forms, from literature like Seymour Reit's "Race Against Death" to films such as the 2019 production "The Great Alaskan Race" and Disney's "Togo" in 2019. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, inspired by the serum run, remains a vital tradition honoring the resilience and heroism of both the mushers and their sled dogs.
