User Reviews

The documentary follows a few competitors on a 1,000 mile race on the historic reputed Iditarod Trail.

It is a unique and long race (taking about 2-5 weeks), and, day and night, participants confront beautiful nature, hostile weather conditions, solitude, and camaraderie in their extreme forms. The race seems ridiculously tough and fulfilling at the same time. Often times, they have to slog their way through the trail overnight, as no one can be sure of the next day's weather condition. They sleep in shelters, and sometimes in the wilderness where the temperature drops to minus 20 Celsius. About 80 people started the race in the year (options of doing it on fat bike or on foot), but passing several milestones, only a handful of people reached the final destination. The finalists include a man in his 60s who already had completed several 1,000 mile races on foot, but wanted to do it on bike; another Dutch man who, despite his mildly frostbitten fingers, decided to push forward; and two men who ended up racing together.

The film does an excellent job in intercutting the competitors' journeys with personal interviews that delve into participants' different views and stories. I feel like I am in the race with them! : ) Just as documentaries about mountaineers/climbing do, this documentary has made me ask why they decide to participate in such an extreme race, repeatedly.

In short, I highly recommend it.