While the dog and musher Leonhard Seppala ran the longest and most dangerous leg (about 260 miles), Balto was the lead dog for the final 53-mile stretch into Nome.
Musher Gunnar Kaasen faced whiteout conditions so severe he could not see his own hands. He "gave Balto his head," trusting the dog's instincts to find the trail through the storm. While the dog and musher Leonhard Seppala ran
Anchorage, over 600 miles away. With the harbor frozen and planes grounded by sub-zero blizzards, officials organized a relay of 20 mushers and about 150 dogs to transport the medicine. Balto’s Heroic Final Leg Anchorage, over 600 miles away
Balto pulled the team into Nome at 5:30 AM on February 2, 1925. Kaasen was so exhausted he could only mutter, "Damn fine dog". The Great Serum Run and Balto's Enduring Legacy Kaasen was so exhausted he could only mutter,