In the grip of disease . A thrilling race against death has started at Nenana , Alaska , where a dog sledge left for a 500 mile dash across the frozen wastes of Alaska to Nome . It is loaded with medicines with which to combat diphtheria , now epidemic amongst the natives . Ordinarily , 2 weeks are required for the journey but the present relay dog team hope to do it in 11 days . 31 January 1925