Offical Race Rules

General Rules

RACERS MUST SECURE A BURRO PRIOR TO REGISTERING! If you don’t own a burro, rental burros may be available.  Burro rentals are an additional fee and separate from the race entry.  Visit the race website for a list of burro rental companies and individuals renting burros.  

No solo runners allowed!  Pack burro racing is a team sport, 1 human runner & 1 burro.

Only donkeys/burros (Spanish for donkey) are allowed!  No other equines are permitted to race, no horses, no hybrids (mules, hinneys, zedonks, etc.) no exceptions.

No riding! This is an in-hand trail race.

Donkeys must be sound, healthy and fit to race.  Do not sign up for a race that you or your burro are not fit enough to complete.  

No mistreatment of burros! 

Race Teams

A pack burro racing team consists of 1 human runner & 1 burro.  The runner and burro starting the race must remain a team throughout the race. The runner may push, pull, apply pressure release, or carry their burro across the finish line, but no riding is allowed!  No assistants will be allowed to accompany any team.  Spectators or anyone outside of the race are not allowed to assist the forward progress of any team. No swapping burros with another runner during the race or both teams will be disqualified.  To win, the runner and burro team must cross the finish line as a unit. The runner may be leading or following the burro, but the burro's nose crossing the finish line first, determines the winning team. In the event of a tie, the prize money will be equally divided between the teams involved. 

Pack Saddle & Gear

3 mile Fun Run - pack saddle optional

6 mile Short Course - pack saddle optional

17 mile Long Course - To qualify for prizes, the burro must be equipped with a pack saddle carrying a pick, gold pan, and shovel. There is no minimum weight requirement for the saddle and equipment. If any of these items are missing or get lost on the trail, the runner/burro team will be disqualified (DQ). Hoof boots are recommended for this course.  

Halter, Lead Rope & Jack Chains

The donkey must have a halter and lead rope. The halter can be a strap halter or rope halter and should fit the donkey properly so as not interfere with the burro’s eye.  The lead rope can be no longer than 15 ft, measured from the end of the rope to the tip of the snap. The lead rope may only be connected to the halter.  The lead must be held in the runner's hands and cannot be tied to the runner or a harness/belt worn by the runner.  Jack/Stud chains may be used with a pressure-release technique, either over the muzzle or under the chin.  Any racer coming across the finish line with injuries on their burro, resulting from the jack/stud chain may be disqualified.  No needles, electric prods, clubs, whips or other tools besides the halter, lead rope and stud/jack chain may be used during the race.  

Control of Burro 

All runners must keep their burro under control, stay on the designated trails, not divert off course or cut switchbacks. On single-track trail, runner/burro teams can pass as long as they remain near the trail's edge if slower teams are blocking the course or obstructing the advancement of another team.  If a runner/burro team interferes with another team, the offending team may be given a warning or disqualified.  If the runner loses control of their burro and drops the lead rope, the team must return to the point where the lead rope was dropped to stay in the race and not receive a DQ.  If you get off course, you must return to the point where you left the designated course and continue on the correct course.  We encourage all  racers to take your burro back if you lose them, make course navigation corrections, not give up on your burro’s race and receive an honorable finish. 

Out and Back Trail Courtesy

All 3 race courses are out and back.  Please allow the front runners to easily pass.  Do not impede faster teams or block the trail if you are still on the “out” and they are already headed “back” to the finish line.  Don’t be an ass, let them pass!   Move over and cheer them on!  

Veterinary Checks - Coggins - Health Certificate

All burro owners should consider getting their burro a veterinary check before the race.  Sick, injured or unsound burros will not be allowed to race. Out-of-state donkeys must obtain a negative Coggins test and health certificate from their veterinarian before entering the State of Arizona, as required by state law.  Burros residing within the State of Arizona are NOT required to have a negative coggins or health certificate.  

Course Check-points

There will be 1 check-in/aid station for the 6 mile short course and 4 check-in/aid stations for the 17 mile long course.  All racers choosing the short or long courses MUST check in at EVERY check point.  Volunteers manning the aid/check-in stations will note your bib number and check your time to make sure you are on track to finish before the final race cut-off time (3:00 p.m.)   Please do not obstruct the view of your bib or continue past a check point until you hear the aid station workers indicate that they have noted your bib number.  ALL RACE TEAMS must do a final check in at the finish line.  We need to know that all racers are accounted for.  If you choose not to finish the race, please make your way to the finish line to let race timers know that you are off the course.  These check-ins are part of the mandatory safety plan dictated by the Town of Superior and will help track any runner in need of emergency services.  We recommend the use of a SEND or PLB device for 17 mile, long-course racers.  

Cut Off Times

Due to limited emergency resources in the Town of Superior, we will be enforcing strict cut-off times for the 17 mile, long course.  Long course racers must maintain a 21 minute mile in order to finish the race before the final cut off.  If you and your burro cannot maintain a 21 minute mile, please do not sign up for this course, choose the 6 mile short course.  The first cut off time for the long course will be at the Picket Post checkpoint (10 miles).  Any racing teams not arriving at the Picket Post checkpoint by 12:30 p.m. will be swept, and trailered back to the finish line or burro camp.  The final cut off time is at the race finish on Main Street.  All racers must complete their courses and cross the finish line by 3:00 p.m. to qualify for awards.  If you do not make the Picket Post or race finish cut off times you will receive a, Did Not Finish (DNF), on official race results.   

Disqualifications - DQ’s

The following infractions may result in a disqualification (DQ):

• Mistreatment of burros

• Losing required pack saddle or equipment on the course

• Burro injuries due to stud chains

• Use of any tool other than a halter, lead rope or stud chain

• Interference with another team

• Leaving the designated trail course and not making trail navigation corrections

• Losing your burro and not going back to where you dropped the lead rope 

Should a runner be disqualified by a race official, he/she may continue the race and appeal his/her grievance to the race director. The decisions of the race director will be final.

Did Not Finish - DNF’s

The following infractions will lead to a final race result of Did Not Finish (DNF):

• Missing the cut off time at the Picket Post checkpoint (12:30 p.m.)

• Missing the final cut off time at the finish line  (3:00 p.m.)

Participant Waivers/Release of Liability

No town, county, or private property owners along the course, sponsoring businesses, governmental agencies, persons, volunteers, race officials, or organizations will be liable in case of accident, injury or death to a runner or burro. Each runner must sign a waiver and/or release of responsibility before the race.

Arizona Equine Limited Liability Statute

Arizona has enacted legislation to protect those in the equine industry from liability if a participant suffers an injury or death from an inherent risk of an equine-related activity. Arizona’s Equine Limited Liability statute provides an equine owner is not liable for injury or death if: (1) the participant took control of the equine prior to injury or death; (2) if the participant or the parent or legal guardian of a minor participant signed a release before taking control of the equine; (3) if the owner or agent has properly installed suitable tack or the participant personally tacked the equine with tack provided by the owner or agent of the equine; or (4) the owner or agent assigns a suitable equine based on a reasonable interpretation of the participant’s representation of his or her skills, health and experience with and knowledge of equines. A.R.S. § 12-553(A).