Creede's Burro Race: The Donkey Dash

The Creede Donkey Dash starts and finishes on Main Street adjacent to Basham Park. Teams consist of a burro and runner. The Main course covers about 10 miles through Creede’s Historic Mining District. Competitors will pass by the Creede Underground Mining Museum, then turn right crossing Willow Creek and heading into East Willow Canyon.  As they wind their way through the canyon, past the Phoenix PArk Trailhead, up and over the steep, grueling switchbacks, the course meets the Bachelor Loop once again where the course turns left.  Runners make their way through the Weaver Town Site before passing the iconic and towering Commodore Mine Ore House as they begin the final mile of the race with a gradual downhill that ends on a cheering Main Street! Several mines can be seen along the racecourse, including the remnants of the Kentucky Belle, gripping the cliffs hundreds of feet above the road.

The Short Course follows all the same standard rules of pack burro racing and is approximately 3 miles long, starting with the Main Race on Main St in front of Basham Park. Runners and their burros will head north into the canyon, but will diverge from the others racers by turning right onto the East Willow Canyon. They will follow the road for about 3/4 mile through North Creede to the turn around point, following the route back to the START/FINISH line in front of Basham Park. While we've added the Short Course to include more participants, it should be noted that any race involving trail running AND burros should not be taken lightly!!!

Note: The courses are subject to change due to FS Road Conditions. Our Alternate course loops in front of the Court House from Main Street to Loma Avenue up towards Capital Avenue and picks up Forest Road 504/Bachelor Loop Road. Runners will turn around and follow the course back to the Start Finish Line.