The 2008 Iditarod race begins. Returning champion Lance Mackey already has a hitch in his plan. Iditarod icon DeeDee Jonrowe loses her dog team outside a checkpoint. The mushers prepare to face the dreaded Alaska Range.

Mackey makes up for lost time while King devises a new plan. Eskimo Nelson debates whether to withdraw from the race. Jonrowe is accosted by a drunken fan. The Busers separate to allow former champion, Martin, a chance to go for the gold.

With Nome less than 100 miles away, Mackey, King, and Martin Buser battle for the finish line. Icon Jonrowe battles to stay in the top 10, and for rookie Holt, just finishing Alaska's toughest race means winning.