As Lance Mackey continues to break trail for rival Jeff King, the returning champ grows frustrated. He realizes that if this continues he won't be able to outrun King to the finish in Nome. Mackey will have to dig deep into his bag of tricks in order to escape King's game. Rookie musher Rick Holt tries to stay in the race despite a slew of beginner's mistakes. Reaching his hometown of Unalakleet, Holt must decide whether he will carry on or succumb to the treacherous nature of the Iditarod Trail.