The 2008 Alaska Sweepstakes marked the centennial run of the first sled dog race in Alaska. Before the Iditarod, before the Yukon Quest,before any of the mid distance races, there was the All Alaska Sweepstakes. Born in the frontier town of Nome, Alaska in 1908, the race allowed a town full of mushers, gold miners and gamblers a way to amuse themselves thru the long, cold, dark winter. The race from to Nome to Candle and back covers some of the most desolate but beautiful country Alaska has to offer. Fortunes were won and lost in the early days of this race. The 2008 race was marked by an unprecedented 100 thousand dollar winner take all purse. Some of the sport's best drivers entered, along with a few hardy Nome souls, to run the trails and relive the adventures. They all felt some connection to history and the spirits of the race.

Husky Productions presents a video journal of that week. From behind the scenes, to the start, finish, checkpoints, interviews and of course, the awards banquet viewers will get a real feel of what it was like to be in Nome during this incredible time. Supplemented by photographs from master photographer, Jan DeNapoli and original music by Kyf Brewer and Jim Parkinson, we're sure this  feature length movie will enchant your spirit.

Come run with the spirits!

Hi Donna,
You nailed it!!
Congratulations on an excellent production.
Lou Goldberg

I just finished watching Donna's DVD of "Running With Spirits." I agree. It's awesome. Lots and lots of footage. I couldn't even watch all of it in one evening. I love the way you included so many little tidbits that we don't often see: the volunteers, all the behind the scenes incidents, and of course the banquet. I felt like I was right there, experiencing it (well, minus the cold, I guess). The humor was great. I laughed out loud several times. And the original music. What fun, especially that last song, "Dogs, Dogs, Dogs."
Marcia Claesson

I loved the Nome history and the All Alaska Sweepstakes race history.
I loved Kyf's music.
The Nome scenery-cool. I got to see places I've heard of but never seen. I got to see people I've heard of but never met.
I loved the added graphics:
- the musher photo/comments in lower left with their name, bib#, and the running dog graphic
- the page turning graphic between mushers.
Jan's stills are unbelievable!  And the audio over the stills - the sound of sled runners passing close by my toes made me pull my feet back under my chair!
If I had to pick a favorite part, it would be the doggy faces at the Start!  Is there any species on earth so eager to go?  so eager to please?
The couch sled story is hilarious!  If I ever get to Nome, I will pay for a ride on the couch sled!
It's a good portrayal of the people- hard working, fun loving, self sustaining and resourceful.
Of course the bits on vet/dog care are always technically informative and fun to watch. The dog at my side on the couch always gets extra hugs and kisses during these parts.
I liked seeing the comradery and sportmanship of the mushers at the banquet.
And I sang the DOGS, DOGS, DOGS music long after the video had ended.
An awesome video!  CONGRATULATIONS! !!!!!!!!
Jeanne S. from Maryland