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 exhilarating day of adventure at the World Championship Pack Burro Race, taking place on Sunday, July 27, 2025, in the stunning town of Fairplay, Park. This iconic event, which began in 1949 with just 21 contestants, has blossomed into a thrilling competition featuring nearly 100 burro racers tackling two challenging courses. Participants can choose between a shorter 12.3-mile route that offers steep ascents and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, or the grueling long course, which spans over 29 miles with a staggering elevation change of 3,232 feet as they race to the top of Mosquito Pass at 13,185 feet!
Join in the excitement as racers embark on their journey at an impressive altitude of 9,953 feet, navigating scenic wooded dirt roads and taking in the serene beauty of a high alpine pond along the way. Whether you're a competitor or a spectator, the World Championship Pack Burro Race promises an unforgettable day filled with camaraderie, breathtaking scenery, and the incredible spirit of adventure. Don’t miss out on this unique celebration of endurance and teamwork!
Join in the excitement as racers embark on their journey at an impressive altitude of 9,953 feet, navigating scenic wooded dirt roads and taking in the serene beauty of a high alpine pond along the way. Whether you're a competitor or a spectator, the World Championship Pack Burro Race promises an unforgettable day filled with camaraderie, breathtaking scenery, and the incredible spirit of adventure. Don’t miss out on this unique celebration of endurance and teamwork!
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/2025/07/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/2025/07/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
CLOSEDEach 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
CLOSEDEach 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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