Running With Spirits, the 2008 All Alaska Sweepstakes

Before the Iditarod, before the Yukon Quest, the premiere sled dog race in Alaska and the world was the All Alaska Sweepstakes. Born in 1908 in the gold rush town of Nome, the sweepstakes brought excitement to a winter weary city. Mushers ran their own teams or dogs that belonged to others from Nome to Candle and back. They set many records in mushing history. Betting was heavy and fortunes could be won or lost. The race ran every year until World War I. Many of the mushers would go on to take part in the life saving Serum Run of 1925. In 1973, the 75th year anniversary race was run. It ignited the spirit of Nome to hold the race again for the centennial year of 2008. And so it was, a sled dog race to ignite the spirit, celebrate the north and to remember just how big a roll sled dogs have played in the history of Alaska. Original music by Kyf Brewer and Jim Parkinson of the band Barleyjuice will blow you away with their mushing sensitivity. Still photography by master photographer Jan DeNapoli captures the true essence of the race and enhances the video coverage. This video journal of the 2008 race will enchant your spirit. Come run with the Spirits.