"[2] The protagonist of the film, Will Stoneman, depicts the story of the 26-year-old American racer, Fred Hartman, although a few elements of the character resemble the 22-year-old Albert Campbell, the Métis man who won the race and whose father had died shortly prior.

[3] The film is directed by Charles Haid, and stars Mackenzie Astin, Kevin Spacey, David Ogden Stiers, George Gerdes, Brian Cox, John Terry, Penelope Windust and August Schellenberg.

Despite numerous odds against him, including harsh weather, hostile competitors, and uncooperative dogs, he strives to continue forward; getting help from unlikely sources along the way, he is shocked to learn that not only he, but the whole country, is inspired and hopeful to see his own "iron will" come to fruition at the finish line.

In 1917, 17-year-old Will Stoneman (Mackenzie Astin) is a mail-runner for his small South Dakota town and an apprentice carpenter for his father Jack (John Terry), who creates furniture and runs the family farm.

After a month of rigorous training from Native Indian farm hand Ned Dodd (August Schellenberg), Will travels to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to enter the race.

American news reporter Harry Kingsley (Kevin Spacey) sees the youngster as his opportunity to win headlines and gives Will the money to pay the late fee.

Kingsley writes admiring articles gushing about Will's courage and competitive zeal (nicknaming him "Iron Will"), but his stories languish on back pages while the world focuses on the European War.

Will stands up against this attempted sabotage and realizes that Kingsley is using him as a pawn to justify embellished articles which the veteran reporter hopes will win him front-page status and a promotion from the cold North to his paper's headquarters.

"[7] The winner of the 1917 Red River-St. Paul Sports Carnival Derby was, in fact, not the American Fred Hartman, but Albert Campbell, a Métis man, who sledded with his brother.

[8] Similar to the film, Fred Hartman narrowly escaped collision with a passenger train with the assistance of two local men who helped him and his dogs off the track.

He was more fatigued toward the end of the race than the other participants, at one point needing to be assisted by local citizens to walk into a hotel to rest, and he was encouraged by his competitors to drop out.

He collapsed over the finish line snow blind, in "semi-conscious condition," having lost 32 pounds body weight since the start of the race but was still hailed a hero for his determination.