Black Canyon Donkey Derby 2025

🎉 Event Announcement:

• Attention: Please note, we have reached 100 racers! We are so excited! For any late registrations (over 100 racers) you are still welcome to join: however, please understand that you will not receive a SAWG bag or a finish line medal.
• Shirts: We will have some shirts available at check-in, but we cannot guarantee your size.
• Understanding: Thank you for understanding! We do our best to guess how many participants we will have, but without early registrations, we just never know.
• Excitement: We are looking forward to a great weekend! Please reach out if you have any questions!

🏇 Race Details:

• Date: March 8th, 2025
• Location: Deep Canyon Ranch, 18181 E Deep Canyon Trail, Black Canyon City, AZ
• Activities: On Saturday, we will have a variety of vendors, food trucks, a petting zoo, face painting, and many more activities for the whole family!
• Community Event: Please come be a spectator and enjoy this fun-filled community event! Clean porta-potties and hand-washing stations will be available.

🐴 What is Burro Racing?

• Definition: “Burro” is the Spanish word for donkey.
• Origin: Pack burro racing is a sport that is rooted in mining histories across several western states.
• Historical Legend: Legend holds that the races trace back to an incident in which two miners raced each other to the claims office when they found gold simultaneously.
• Race Format: Runners lead their burros on a prescribed course, with options for 3-mile, 6-mile, or 9-mile routes.

📜 The Rules:

• Lead Ropes: All burros must be fitted with a halter and lead rope no longer than 15 feet at all times.
• Control: Participants must maintain control of their burro and keep to the designated trail.
• Team Requirement: A team consists of one handler with one burro and must stay a team for the entire race.
• Veterinary Checks: Sick or injured burros may not participate: out-of-state burros need a negative Coggins test.

🛑 Disqualifications:

• Mistreatment: Any handler mistreating their burro will be disqualified.
• Tools: No tools other than a lead rope will be allowed for use.
• Appeals: If a runner is disqualified, they can still finish and appeal their penalty to the race director.
• Liability: All participants must sign a waiver and/or release of responsibility before they race.

🏕️ Additional Information:

• Renting a Burro: You must have prior arrangements for a donkey to participate. Reach out to rescues for rental options.
• What to Wear: Comfortable running clothes, good trail shoes, gloves, and enough water.
• Handling Suggestions: Know the course, be mindful of other runners, and handle your burro with care.
• Safety: Always yell “LOOSE BURRO!” if you lose your burro to ensure safety for all participants.

📅 Camping & Schedule of Events:

• Camping: Dry camping available, no reservations needed. Pay upon arrival with Jacie, the ranch manager.
• Schedule Friday, March 7th: Check-in and a homemade dinner for campers.
• Schedule Saturday, March 8th: Race check-in starts at 8:00 am with various activities and the race starting at 10:00 am.
• Sunday Events: Includes obstacles, halter class, and the Mad Ass Dash competition.

For more details, visit the official race page: Black Canyon Donkey Derby 2025.