During the
, labeled by the media of the day as the "Great Race of Mercy," 20 mushers and about 150 sled dogs relayed diphtheria antitoxin by dogsled 674 miles across the then-territory of Alaska in a record-breaking five and a half days, saving the small city of Nome and the surrounding communities from an incipient epidemic. Both the mushers and their dogs were portrayed as heroes in the newly popular medium of radio and received headline coverage in newspapers across the United States. The publicity helped spur an inoculation campaign in the U.S., which dramatically reduced the threat of the disease.
The Norman Vaughn '25 Serum Run is a long distance dog mushing expedition that commemorates the courageous effort and success of the original serum run teams. The event was founded by Col. Norman Vaughan, an American dogsled driver and explorer who participated in Admiral Byrd's first expedition to the South Pole. He also mushed in a professional capacity as part of a search and rescue unit in World War II, in sporting events like the Olympics and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, and in three presidential inauguration ceremonies.
Norman Vaughn's '25 Serum Run is a dog team journey with snowmachine support
of Alaska's frozen rivers, tundra and sea ice from Nenana to Nome. The mission of the biennial trip is to commemorate the brave men and their dog teams who relayed the crucial diphtheria serum to Nome, saving countless lives, but even more importantly, the expedition is made to widen the awareness throughout Alaska of the need for inoculations for every child and to stress important health issues.
Teams are comprised of mushers and their snowmachining partners, who retrace the route of the original serum run. Stopping at each village and school along the way, they rekindle the spirit of the 1925 serum run by bringing a message to school children and their parents regarding the need for inoculations and making healthy lifestyle choices. In addition, the dog mushers and snowmachiners speak to each village school along the way about the original feat accomplished by mostly Alaskan native mushers, and to inspire school children with Col. Norman Vaughn's personal motto, to "Dream Big and Dare to Fail."
The next Norman Vaughan Serum Run will be taking place in February 2011. Applications for the trip close April 15. The trip is limited to 15 mushers and 25 snowmachiners. Serum Run veterans are encouraged to apply, but future first-time Serum Runners will be given priority.
The Serum Run site offers detailed information, applications, maps, videos, and fun activities for children such as coloring pages, making your own dog booties or trail snacks for the dogs, and making your own sled dog sock puppet.
Helen Hegener is an author and a documentary filmmaker specializing in long distance sled dog races and the men, women and dogs who run them. Learn more at Northern Light Media.