Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race rookies attend a special school for first-timers at the Lakefront Anchorage on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. (Dave Goldman/KTVA) - Anchorage, Alaska 
Iditarod newcomers get trail tips at rookie school
With three months to go before the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race makes its way to Nome in 2019, those running the Iditarod for the first time took a big step Saturday at the rookie mushers' meeting.
The mandatory event for first-time mushers in The Last Great Race, held at the Lakefront Anchorage, is designed to familiarize the 10 rookies with the challenges they'll face on the trail.
"There's a lot of enthusiasm and they're also the future," said Dr. Stuart Nelson, the race's chief veterinarian. "It's also really the first official event following last year's race so yeah, it's a big day."
In addition to advice from Nelson, 2018 champion Joar Leifseth Ulsom also addressed the group stressing patience and a calm approach.
One of the 2019 rookies, 21-year old Martin Apayaug, has a mushing pedigree. His dad Ketil is a seven-time finisher, and Martin himself has been mushing dogs since he was 4 years old. Despite his experience, he still picked up some valuable information Saturday.
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