A sled dog racer has revealed planning for the Yukon Quest begins 12 months in advance – often during the previous year’s event.

David Dalton told the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner that although he mentally starts a checklist for the following year during the race, mistakes can still happen.

"There’s always something I think of and have to cut open the bag to put in," he said.

The news provider outlined how planning for the February 6th 2010 race is crucial, explaining that each competitor must make sure they take just enough food and provisions.

Packs must not weigh more than 40 pounds and cannot be topped up anywhere along the trail apart from Dawson City.

Mr Dalton revealed he makes sure he packs a fresh set of clothes for each checkpoint, adding that hand and toe warmers "make life a lot better".

The 1,000-mile race, which is held on the freezing wastes of Alaska, follows old Gold Rush and mail delivery routes from the turn of the 20th century.