Iditarod rookie Michael Williams Jr has said competing in the Last Great Race will realise a dream he has held since being a young boy.

His dad was also a competitor at the Alaskan event, meaning his participation next month will continue a tradition in his family.

Speaking to the event’s official Eye on the Trail blog, Mr Williams said one of his earliest memories of sled dog racing was training with his dad.

"I was no taller than the cross brace beneath the handlebars of the sled. I’ve always been interested in racing and running sled dogs, it is what I’ve dreamed about since I could remember," he remarked.

The blog also marked out some other mushers to watch in the race, which kicks off on March 6th 2010 in Anchorage.

Jamaican Newton Marshall, who recently became the first person from his country to complete the Yukon Quest, has been training with former champion Lance Mackey.

The column also highlighted Fairbanks’ Tamara Rose and Hank DeBruin, who will also be hoping for glory on the 1,000-mile course.

They will be going up against the likes of Hans Gatt, who walked away with this year’s Yukon Quest title in record time last week.