An Iditarod competitor has said a recent rookie meeting in Anchorage, Alaska offered plenty of sled dog care tips.

Scotsman Wattie McDonald told the Stonehaven Leader that the event gave him a taster of what to expect from the gruelling 1,000-mile race.

He said: "It brings it all home regarding the extreme weather that we will encounter during the race, namely the gale force winds and minus-60 degree temperatures that we will face on the bearing sea coast in the last third of the race."

Mr McDonald recently held a fund-raising rally in Mineralwell Park in his hometown, which included sled dog rides and face painting.

He is set to join the likes of Newton Marshall and Jeff King on the starting line at the race on March 6th 2010.

Meanwhile, three-time winner Lance Mackey is set to have a tilt at winning his fourth straight title at the event, which usually lasts between ten and 17 days.