World Championship Pack Burro Race
- Date Sun 27th July 2025
- Time 10:15AM MDT
- Location Fairplay, Colorado
- Price $69.90
- Races 2 races
- Distances Ultra
Event summary
Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the World Championship Pack Burro Race on Sunday, July 27, 2025, in the stunning town of Fairplay, Park! This exciting event celebrates a rich tradition that dates back to 1949, when only 21 brave entrants took on the challenge, with just 8 finishing. Today, nearly 100 racers and their trusty burros will compete in this historic race, offering two thrilling distance options.
Participants can choose the scenic short course, approximately 12.3 miles, which features a more challenging route with steep ascents and descents, or tackle the grueling long course of over 29 miles that includes a breathtaking climb to Mosquito Pass, reaching an elevation of 13,185 feet! Starting at an altitude of 9,953 feet, racers will navigate through beautiful wooded dirt roads and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains, along with a serene high alpine pond at the halfway point. Don’t miss the chance to witness this unique and exhilarating event that combines athleticism and camaraderie in the breathtaking Rocky Mountains!
Participants can choose the scenic short course, approximately 12.3 miles, which features a more challenging route with steep ascents and descents, or tackle the grueling long course of over 29 miles that includes a breathtaking climb to Mosquito Pass, reaching an elevation of 13,185 feet! Starting at an altitude of 9,953 feet, racers will navigate through beautiful wooded dirt roads and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains, along with a serene high alpine pond at the halfway point. Don’t miss the chance to witness this unique and exhilarating event that combines athleticism and camaraderie in the breathtaking Rocky Mountains!
Organiser's Description
The first year of the World Championship Pack Burro Race in 1949 saw 21 entrants with only 8 finishing the race. These days there are nearly 100 racers and burros that take on this historic challenge. Some choose the lower altitude short course of approximately 12.3 miles while others take on the long course and attempt the grueling climb to the top of Mosquito Pass and back, 29+ miles and an elevation change of 3,232'! The racers start at 9,953 feet in Fairplay with long course runners hitting their halfway point at the top of Mosquito Pass, elevation 13,185'!
Short Course Map [https://burrodays.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Short-Course-Reroute-Map.pdf]
Long Course Map [https://burrodays.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Race-map-with-Checkpoints.pdf]
***DISCLAIMER 3/21/25: JACK CHAINS ARE NO LONGER PROHIBITED. JACK CHAINS MAY BE USED ONLY IF USED WITH A PRESSURE-RELEASE TECHNIQUE. (A JACK CHAIN IS A CHAIN OR STRAP WHICH IS USED TO APPLY PRESSURE OVER THE MUZZLE, UNDER THE CHIN, OR THROUGH THE MOUTH).
***THE SHORT COURSE ROUTE HAS BEEN UPDATED. WHILE THE NEW COURSE IS SHORTER (12.3 MILES APPROX.) THAN THE TRADITIONAL COURSE (15 MILES), RACERS WILL FIND A MORE CHALLENGING EXPERIENCE WITH SEVERAL STEEP ASCENTS AND DESCENTS AFTER DIVERGING FROM THE ORIGINAL OUTBOUND PATH. RACERS WILL NAVIGATE WOODED DIRT ROADS, GIVING ACCESS TO BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OF THE SURROUNDING MOUNTAINS AND WILL BE GREETED BY A TRANQUIL HIGH ALPINE POND AS THEY PASS THE HALFWAY POINT. UPON COMPLETING THE LOOP, BURRO TEAMS WILL FINISH THE RACE ALONG THE TRADITIONAL INBOUND TRAIL.
Free race photos provided by Pack Burro Racing Photographers at PBRphotos.org [https://pbrphotos.org/]
Short Course Map [https://burrodays.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Short-Course-Reroute-Map.pdf]
Long Course Map [https://burrodays.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Race-map-with-Checkpoints.pdf]
***DISCLAIMER 3/21/25: JACK CHAINS ARE NO LONGER PROHIBITED. JACK CHAINS MAY BE USED ONLY IF USED WITH A PRESSURE-RELEASE TECHNIQUE. (A JACK CHAIN IS A CHAIN OR STRAP WHICH IS USED TO APPLY PRESSURE OVER THE MUZZLE, UNDER THE CHIN, OR THROUGH THE MOUTH).
***THE SHORT COURSE ROUTE HAS BEEN UPDATED. WHILE THE NEW COURSE IS SHORTER (12.3 MILES APPROX.) THAN THE TRADITIONAL COURSE (15 MILES), RACERS WILL FIND A MORE CHALLENGING EXPERIENCE WITH SEVERAL STEEP ASCENTS AND DESCENTS AFTER DIVERGING FROM THE ORIGINAL OUTBOUND PATH. RACERS WILL NAVIGATE WOODED DIRT ROADS, GIVING ACCESS TO BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OF THE SURROUNDING MOUNTAINS AND WILL BE GREETED BY A TRANQUIL HIGH ALPINE POND AS THEY PASS THE HALFWAY POINT. UPON COMPLETING THE LOOP, BURRO TEAMS WILL FINISH THE RACE ALONG THE TRADITIONAL INBOUND TRAIL.
Free race photos provided by Pack Burro Racing Photographers at PBRphotos.org [https://pbrphotos.org/]
Races
-
Long Course, 29+ Miles
Incl. $4.90 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 27th July 2025 (10:15AM MDT)
$69.90
Each runner must be accompanied by a Burro! It is the responsibility of the runner to acquire their own burro. They may use their own animal or borrow/rent someone else's. Each burro will be required to be equipped with a regulation pack saddle, packed with a pick, shovel, and gold pan. It is strongly recommended that all participants carry at least one - two quarts of water, food, and clothing for all types of weather. Loss of all or part of the pack and paraphernalia will eliminate the contestant. See more detailed equipment information on our website. ***Disclaimer 3/21/25: Jack chains are no longer prohibited. Jack chains may be used only if used with a pressure-release technique. (A jack chain is a chain or strap which is used to apply pressure over the muzzle, under the chin, or through the mouth). -
Short Course, Approximately 12.3 Miles
Incl. $4.90 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 27th July 2025 (10:30AM MDT)
$69.90
Each runner must be accompanied by a Burro! It is the responsibility of the runner to acquire their own burro. They may use their own animal or borrow/rent someone else's. Each burro will be required to be equipped with a regulation pack saddle, packed with a pick, shovel, and gold pan. It is strongly recommended that all participants carry at least one - two quarts of water, food, and clothing for all types of weather. Loss of all or part of the pack and paraphernalia will eliminate the contestant. See more detailed equipment information on our website. ***Disclaimer 3/21/25: Jack chains are no longer prohibited. Jack chains may be used only if used with a pressure-release technique. (A jack chain is a chain or strap which is used to apply pressure over the muzzle, under the chin, or through the mouth). ***The Short Course route has been updated. While the new course is shorter (12.3 miles approx.) than the traditional course (15 miles), racers will find a more challenging experience with several steep ascents and descents after diverging from the original outbound path. Racers will navigate wooded dirt roads, giving access to beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and will be greeted by a tranquil high alpine pond as they pass the halfway point. Upon completing the loop, burro teams will finish the race along the traditional inbound trail.
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