The race is approximately 4-6 miles long and is great for beginners.The race will begin at Citizens Park on Miner Street in Idaho Springs. Weigh-in’s begin at 10:30 am and the race begins around Noon. Awards ceremonies will be around 2 pm. The public is welcome to come and watch for FREE!

Pack Burro Racing is the only sport indigenous to the state of Colorado. It has its roots in the state’s mining heritage. In the early days of the mining industry, miners would take burros, which is the Spanish word for donkey, through the mountains of Colorado in their search for gold. Because the burros were carrying supplies, the miners could not ride the animal and so they would walk, leading the donkey. The burro races commemorate these men and their burros.

Format:
In a typical burro race, a runner and a burro race complete a prescribed course together, with the runner leading the burro on a rope. Riding the burro is not allowed. In fact, the human may carry the burro, but the burro may not carry the human. The burro must be on a lead rope, which is limited to 15 feet. Runners must maintain control of their animals at all times. Burros must also carry a pack saddle with 33 pounds of traditional mining gear, including a pick, gold pan, and a shovel. Runners may also include other gear in their saddles, such as windbreakers, water, food, etc, but the surplus gear cannot be counted in the 33 pounds. Cruelty to the burro is prohibited and racing officials have the right to hold any burro for 30 minutes following the race for an inspection by a veterinarian.

Lore:
There are two legends concerning the beginning of these burro races. The first states that the races began when two miners found gold and had to race back to the claims office. Because they could not ride the burros the miners were forced to run, leading the burros. The second legend is somewhat vague but concerns a few drunken miners at a bar in Leadville, Colorado.

For more information or to register for the event please contact Bill Lee at 720-234-8200,  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by visiting www.laughingvalleyranch.com