Place
86 Co Rd 15
South Fork, CO US 81154
Description
Please join us for the second annual South Fork Alder Ass Race hosted by the South Fork Friends Foundation on Saturday, September 2, 2023!
A brief history of the donkeys that now run Pack Burro Races
Donkeys first arrived on US soil in 1784 as a royal gift from King Charles III of Spain to George Washington. The donkeys first worked the plantations, but by the 1800s, were helping to build the American West. They were used by miners during the Gold Rush era, but by the turn of the century, many of these hearty little donkeys were abandoned. The donkeys found ways to survive the most unforgiving, yet extreme terrains around the American West. Resilient, they can feed on desert vegetation. While herds of wild burros now face the same threats today as wild horses, they are also being rounded up and domesticated. After being gentled and trained, many who run their donkeys find that the running activities are quite therapeutic and offer a great outlet for rehabilitating once wild and/or feral donkeys.
“Burro” is the Spanish word for small donkey. However, many different sized donkeys from mini to mammoth can race in a Pack Burro Race and are interchangeably called “burro.” They only have chestnuts on the forelegs, while animals of the same equine family, such as mules (a hybrid cross between a donkey and horse) or horses, have these chestnuts on the hind and forelegs. The tail of a donkey has shorter hair, except on its lower part, which has a brush. Only a burro/donkey is allowed to run in a Pack Burro Race as we do nothing half-assed.
The Rules:
Pack Saddle & Paraphernalia Requirements
Each burro must be equipped with a pack saddle carrying prospector's paraphernalia, including a pick, gold pan, and shovel (no toys permitted). There is no minimum weight requirement for the paraphernalia. If any of these items are missing or get lost on the trail, the runner/burro team will be disqualified (DQ).
Lead Rope
The burro must be outfitted with a lead rope for handling that is attached to a halter (a flat-nosed halter is preferred for safer racing over rope halters which tend to get loose and shift on the burro’s face, yet rope halters are a better tool for groundwork training). The runner may only be attached to the burro with a single lead rope that does not exceed 15 feet in length (measured from the end of the rope to the tip of the snap). The lead rope may only be connected to the halter.
Control of Burro
Burros are controlled by way of the runner handling a lead rope that is attached to the halter of the burro. All runners must keep their burro under control on the course, and not cut switchbacks (except for a single-track trail, runner/burro teams can pass as long as they remain near the course edge if slower teams are blocking the course or obstructing the advancement of another team). If the runner/burro interferes with another runner/burro team, the out-of-control team may be disqualified or given a warning. If the runner loses control of their burro, by way of dropping the lead rope, the team must return to the point where the lead rope was dropped to stay in the race in order to not obtain a DQ. We encourage you to take your burro back and not give up on your burro’s race to get an honorable finish.
Jack/Stud Chains
Jack/Stud chains may be used with a pressure-release technique, to safely control a higher-spirited burro. (A jack/stud chain is a chain or strap which is used to apply pressure over the muzzle or under the chin.) Any racer coming across the finish line with any injuries on the burro resulting from the jack/stud chain may be disqualified.
Team = 1 Runner & 1 Burro
The runner and burro starting this race must remain a team throughout the race. No assistants will be allowed to accompany any team. Spectators or anyone outside of the race are not allowed to assist the forward progress of any team. No swapping burros with another runner or both teams will be disqualified (“You gotta dance with the one that brung ya.” ~ Curtis Imrie). The winning combination consists of a runner and burro, who must cross the finish line as a unit. The runner may be leading or following the burro, but the burro's nose crossing the finish line first, constitutes the winner. In the event of a tie, the prize money involved, if any, will be equally divided between the teams involved. However, this is ultimately up to the race director’s discretion.
The runner may push, pull, apply pressure release, or carry their burro across the finish line, but no riding is allowed!
Veterinary Checks
Burro owners may consider getting a veterinary check on their burro before every race. Sick or injured burros should not race. Out-of-state burros will be required to obtain a negative Coggins test and health certificate before entering the state as required by state law.
Disqualifications
Any runner mistreating their burro will be disqualified. No needles, electric prods, drugging, clubs, or whips, other than the lead rope, may be used.
Should a runner be disqualified by a race official, he/she may continue the race and appeal his/her grievance to the race director. The decisions of the race director will be final.
No Firearms
Carrying and use of firearms while running is not permitted.
Participant Waivers/Release of Liability
No town, county, or private property owners along the course, sponsoring businesses, governmental agencies, persons, volunteers, race officials, or organizations will be liable in case of accident or injury to the runner or burro. Each runner must sign a waiver and/or release of responsibility before the race.
Colorado Equine Act
"Colorado - WARNING - Under Colorado Law, an equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in equine activities resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities, pursuant to section 13-21-119, Colorado Revised Statutes."
Rules revised Feb 2023
Course
There are 2 distances.
The "mini" course is 3 miles. Pack saddles, gold pan, pick, and shovel are optional for this distance. The majority of this course is on pavement and a small portion is on forest service road for an out and back route. Elevation gain- 75 ft. Max elevation 8250.
The "standard" course is 11 miles. Boots or alternative hoof protection is recommended, but not mandatory. The majority of this course is on forest service roads. May have one water crossing depending on weather. Elevation gain- 1100 ft. Max elevation 9350.
Aid Stations:
Aid Station 1- mile 1.5
Aid Station 2- mile 5.5
Awards
Trophies for top three female and male finishers in the 3 mile.
Prize money will be awarded to top seven female and male finishers in the 11 mile course.
1st- $500
2nd- $250
3rd- $125
4th- $75
5th- $50
6th- $50
7th- $50
WITHDRAWAL POLICY
ALL ENTRIES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE.
Camping
Free camping at the start/finish. Stay and play in South Fork by the Rio Grande River at Brown Memorial Park. 86 Co Rd 15, South Fork, CO.
BYOP- Bring Your Own Panels. Water is available on site.
Photo Credit: Ashlee Bratton with Ashography http://ashography.com
U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service
This special event is being held in accordance with a permit from the United States Forest Service- Divide Ranger District.
The United States Forest Service-Divide Ranger District is requiring that burros be fed certified weed feed forage 24 hours prior to the race.
https://www.adventuresignup.com/Race/CO/SouthFork/SouthForkAlderAssRace