Burros in the Pines

• Camping: $20 per night per camp space, dry camping.
• Stall: $14 per stall per night, paid at camp to the Camp Host.

If you stay in town but need to house your donkeys in camp, you must pay the stall fee.

Fort Tuthill is open until October. You may stay as long as you like, but check out by noon to avoid an overnight fee.

Provided:

• Potable water
• Portable toilets
• Hand wash stations
• Manure pick up
• Stalls for your burros. The park does not allow portable pens.

Listed times may change.

Thursday, June 24, 2027

• Travelers start to arrive and get settled in
• 12:00 pm Race Director arrives on site

Friday, June 25, 2027

• 3:00 pm Obstacle course set up, free to use at your leisure for a donation to benefit Forever Home Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary (stays up through Sunday morning)
• 3:00 to 7:30 pm Meet and greet your leased burro
• 6:00 to 7:30 pm Registration: sign waivers, pick up bibs and swag bags
• 9:00 pm (or after dark) Treasure Hunt with burro, $10 per person to participate

Saturday, June 26, 2027: Race day

• 6:00 am Race burro preparations and meet-and-greet your leased burro
• 7:00 am Mandatory race meeting at the grandstands by the race track
• 8:30 am RACE STARTS, all distances, at the race track
• 9:00 am Finish line festivities at the race track. The finish chute runs until every racer is in.
• 2:00 pm Awards ceremony
• 6:00 pm Musical Chairs with Burros, $20 per person with burro, winner takes all

Sunday, June 27, 2027

• 9:00 am Mad Ass Dash, 350 yards, $10 per person with burro, winners take cash
• 2027 Burros in the Pines concluded

An inaugural weekend. Times and details may shift slightly as race weekend firms up.

We are gearing up for the inaugural Burros in the Pines and would love your help. Volunteers are the heart of this event, cheering runners, supporting burros and handlers, helping with check-in, aid stations, course cleanup, photography, road and trail crossings, the awards table, Master of Ceremonies, and keeping the course running smoothly.

Your support makes a huge difference, and we truly appreciate it.

A team consists of 1 human runner and 1 burro. The runner and burro starting the race must remain a team throughout. The runner may push, pull, apply pressure release, or carry their burro across the finish line, but no riding is allowed.

No assistants may accompany any team. Spectators or anyone outside the race may not assist the forward progress of any team. Swapping burros with another runner during the race will disqualify both teams.

To win, the runner and burro must cross the finish line as a unit. The runner may lead or follow the burro, but the burro's nose crossing the line first determines the winner. In a tie, the prize money is divided equally between the teams involved.

• Racers must secure a burro before registering. Rental burros may be available for an additional fee, separate from race entry.
• No solo runners: each team is 1 human runner and 1 burro.
• Only donkeys and burros are allowed. No horses, mules, hinnies, zedonks or other hybrids, no exceptions.
• No riding. This is an in-hand trail race.
• Donkeys must be sound, healthy and fit to race. Do not sign up if you or your burro are not fit enough to complete the race.
• No mistreatment of burros.

• 3 mile Fun Run: pack saddle optional.
• 6 mile Short Course: pack saddle optional.
• 9 mile Long Course: to qualify for prizes, the burro must carry a pack saddle with a pick, gold pan, and shovel. Pick/shovel combo tools are permitted. There is no minimum weight requirement for the saddle and equipment. If any item is missing or lost on the trail, the team is disqualified (DQ). Hoof boots are recommended for this course.

• The donkey must wear a halter, either strap or rope, that fits properly and does not interfere with the burro's eye.
• The lead rope may be no longer than 15 ft, measured from the end of the rope to the tip of the snap, and may only be connected to the halter.
• The lead must be held in the runner's hands. It may not be tied to the runner or to a harness or belt worn by the runner.
• Jack or stud chains may be used with a pressure-release technique, either over the muzzle or under the chin. A racer finishing with injuries on their burro caused by the chain may be disqualified.
• No needles, electric prods, clubs, whips or other tools besides the halter, lead rope and stud or jack chain may be used during the race.

All runners must keep their burro under control, stay on the designated trails, and not divert off course or cut switchbacks. On single-track trail, teams may pass near the trail's edge if slower teams are blocking the course or obstructing another team.

If a team interferes with another team, the offending team may receive a warning or be disqualified. If the runner loses control of the burro and drops the lead rope, the team must return to the point where the lead rope was dropped to stay in the race and avoid a DQ.

If you get off course, return to the point where you left the designated course and continue on the correct course. Racers are encouraged to take their burro back if they lose them, correct course navigation, and not give up on their burro's race, so they can earn an honorable finish.

Allow front runners to pass easily. Do not impede faster teams or block the trail. Move over and cheer them on.

The following infractions may result in a disqualification (DQ):

• Mistreatment of burro
• Losing the required pack saddle or equipment on the course
• Burro injuries due to stud chains
• Use of any tool other than a halter, lead rope or stud chain
• Interference with another team
• Leaving the designated trail course and not making trail navigation corrections
• Losing your burro and not going back to where you dropped the lead rope

A runner disqualified by a race official may continue the race and appeal to the race director. The race director's decision is final.

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, injury or death to a runner or burro. Each runner must sign a waiver and/or release of responsibility before the race.

Arizona has enacted legislation to protect those in the equine industry from liability if a participant suffers an injury or death from an inherent risk of an equine-related activity. Under Arizona's Equine Limited Liability statute, an equine owner is not liable for injury or death if: (1) the participant took control of the equine prior to injury or death; (2) the participant, or the parent or legal guardian of a minor participant, signed a release before taking control of the equine; (3) the owner or agent properly installed suitable tack, or the participant personally tacked the equine with tack provided by the owner or agent; or (4) the owner or agent assigned a suitable equine based on a reasonable interpretation of the participant's representation of his or her skills, health and experience with and knowledge of equines. A.R.S. § 12-553(A).

All campers must check in with the Camp Host.

Designated spaces

Camp is set up RV park style with spaced rows and driving and fire lanes. Spaces are marked and designated, and all trucks, trailers and tents must stay within their assigned space. These spaces are close to the stalls.

Campfires

Campfires are permitted as long as Coconino National Forest has no fire restrictions during the event. Fires must be a designated distance from any trailer or vehicle.

Camp courtesy

• Leashed dogs are welcome.
• Clean up after your pets.
• Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. No generators after 10 p.m.
• Leave camp cleaner than you found it.

Day-of haul-ins

Racers living nearby are welcome to haul in the morning of the race. Arrive early, park in the designated trailer parking area, and check in with the Race Director.

All burro owners should consider a veterinary check before the race. Sick, injured or unsound burros will not be allowed to race.

Out-of-state donkeys must obtain a negative Coggins test and health certificate from their veterinarian before entering the State of Arizona, as required by state law. Burros residing within Arizona are not required to have a negative Coggins test or health certificate.

There is 1 check-in and aid station for the 6 mile short course and 2 for the 9 mile long course. All racers on the short or long course must check in at every checkpoint.

Volunteers at the aid and check-in stations will note your bib number and check your time to make sure you are on track to finish before the final race cut-off time of 1:00 p.m. Do not obstruct the view of your bib, and do not continue past a checkpoint until the aid station workers have noted your bib number.

All race teams must do a final check at the finish line so that all racers are accounted for. If you choose not to finish, make your way to the finish line to let race timers know you are off the course. These check-ins are part of the safety plan and help track any runner in need of emergency services.