Racing with Donkeys
Did you know there is a sport in Colorado that involves racing donkeys? It’s called pack burro racing, and it’s a unique activity.
While Pack Burro Racing is the “Official Summer Heritage Sport” of Colorado, the awareness of this activity among your average state resident is relatively low.
Most races take place in small mountain towns and serve to simultaneously celebrate the history of human/burro partnership and increase tourism during the summer months.
Idaho Springs single-track; photo by Scott Lutz
History of the Sport
Colorado has a rich history around mining, which includes donkeys. Also known as burros, these animals were used to carry mining equipment.
Two legends exist surrounding the sport’s origins.
The first claims that two miners struck gold at the same time. They had to race back to town, with their burros, to be the first to stake claim to the location.
The second legend is a bit vaguer, involving a few drunken miners in a Leadville, Colorado saloon, betting who had the faster burro.
Races are held across the state of Colorado, commemorating the history of humans and donkeys working together. While the sport began back in the 1940’s, Pack Burro Racing was recognized as the official summer heritage sport of Colorado in 2012.
One goal of the sport?
To bring traffic to small mining towns that are otherwise dwindling.
Similar to horse racing, donkey racing also has a Triple Crown.
Hosted by the Western Pack Burro Ass-ociation, the Triple Crown includes races in Fairplay, Buena Vista, and Leadville in July and August.
Rules of the Road
So, what are the rules of pack burro racing?
Teams of 1 human + 1 burro race along a designated course. Races start and end in mountain towns, but are mostly on dirt roads or trails. Courses vary, but generally include single-track trail over tough terrain.
The burro carries a packsaddle with prospector’s gear (a pick, shovel, and gold pan).
The handler runs with the burro—there’s no riding here! (That said, technically, the handler could carry the donkey across the finish line).
Singletrack racing in Georgetown, Colorado
The winner is determined by the first donkey/human team to cross the finish line together, with the donkey’s nose being the deciding factor.
Races generally range from 5 to 30 miles in length.
As if running with a donkey, at elevation, wasn’t hard enough…these races also include some considerable elevation gain over the courses. For example, the Fairplay course starts at 9,953 feet and climbs to a peak elevation of 13,185 feet!
Because of all these variables, finish times can vary quite a bit.
For example, check out some stats from the 2021 race season:
- Georgetown (8 miles): Winner finished in 1 hour 12 minutes, final participant crossed the finish line at 3 hours 20 minutes.
- Leadville -Long Course (22 miles): Winner finished in 3 hours 33 minutes, final participant crossed the finish line in 8 hours 38 minutes.
- Victor (6.6 miles): Winner finished in 1 hour 4 minutes, final participant crossed the finish line in 2 hours 54 minutes.
Where to Watch
Where can you go watch a race?
Race teams waiting for the start of the Buena Vista pack burro race
Races are held across the state of Colorado. The sport has been growing in popularity, expanding to New Mexico, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, and even France (yes, the country!) in recent years.
Some pack burro races are held in conjunction with mining-themed festivals. For example, burro races are just one feature of the Leadville Boom Days festival, typically held the first weekend of August.
Fairplay hosts Burro Days, with the motto “Get Yer Ass up the Pass.” Weekend activities feature burro, llama, dog, and outhouse races as well as a parade, arts & crafts, food vendors, and live music.
Victor holds a pack burro race during their Gold Rush Days celebration.
Mural on building in Victor, Colorado
Frederick hosts Miners Day, which features a pack burro race, parade, food trucks, vendors, and live music, ending with a concert & fireworks display.
Creede hosts a challenging pack burro race in mid-June.
Idaho Springs has one of the more beginner-friendly courses, at (only!) 5 miles in length. This race is held Memorial Day weekend.
How to Watch
So…you want to watch a race?
Spectators waiting for the Fairplay burro race to begin.
To start, thank you for coming and cheering us on! It’s always fun to see a crowd that is excited to watch the burros and learn more about the sport.
Be burro aware!
Donkeys are animals, and they can be unpredictable. Some of us are even training wild burros for this sport, so you can expect to see different levels of training and behavior across the field.
Always give the donkeys some space! They can kick. You don’t want to be between two donkeys if they decide they don’t get along.
Please consider leaving your dogs at home—donkeys tend to think dogs are coyotes, a natural predator, and may act aggressively towards them. If you do choose to bring them, keep your dog well away from the donkeys.
Start of the Creede, CO pack burro race
While the burro races are definitely a family-friendly event, be sure to keep kids close and educate them to be careful. Always ask before petting! Please don’t try to feed the donkeys treats.
The race teams are made up of people that own their own donkeys, and those who rent them. (Yes! You can rent a donkey and test out this incredibly unique sport!)
There will be a wide variety of experience levels among racing teams. Some people are brand-new to the sport, and some donkeys are brand-new to this experience. It’s best to ask before getting too close, and always get permission before petting.
Most everyone is happy to be an ambassador for the sport and will be more than willing to let you snap a selfie with their burro buddy.
However, some animals may be skittish around strangers, or high-strung in a new situation, and may need some extra space.
Pre-race start in Georgetown, Colorado
It’s not a bad idea to wear close-toed shoes if you plan on getting close. You don’t want to get stepped on!
You can expect to see mammoth donkeys, standard donkeys, and mini donkeys–they truly come in all sizes (but even the mini varieties could still hurt your toes).
And our last tip? There will be poop.
Ready To Run?
If you’re interested in doing more than just spectating, you can absolutely try out this exciting sport first-hand! Renting a donkey to race is a great option to try out the sport before you commit to donkey ownership.
Rented burro Einstein getting post-race carrots. Photo Cred: Bottomless Backpacks
Most renters of burros will require some training time with your designated donkey. Donkeys are very smart! Learning their “buttons,” developing a bond, and understanding key race-day strategies will set you up for a more fun & successful experience.
We suggest reaching out to “donkey matchmaker” Amber Wann of ReDONKulous Ranch Sanctuary & Rescue. She and her husband, Brad, offer training runs and rental burros for racing. This article provides a detailed view into a training run with the Wann’s.
Want to learn more? Check out this incredible video:
P.S. Enjoy this article? Trot on over to:
- 8 Steller Beverage Burro Companies
- Burro Bonded Pairs: Fact & Fiction
- How to Adopt a Wild Donkey: A Helpful Beginner’s Guide
- Equine Preventative Care: How to Head Off Issues, Early
- Hammocks and HeeHaws: How to Camp with your Donkey
- 5 Simple Steps to Halter Training Your Wild Donkey
Sources:
Smithsonian Magazine: For 75 Years, Runners have Raced in Colorado Tethered to Donkeys
Pack Burro Racing: Quest for a Third Triple Crown
48 Years Hoofing It Around Buena Vista
Post-race in Idaho Springs, Colorado
