Place

505 Harrison Avenue, Leadville, CO 80461

Description:

Please join us on Sunday, August 9, 2026!

 

Burro rentals are always in high demand. Please check the Western Pack Burro Association website for information and potential contacts: https://www.packburroracing.org

CAMPING FOR RUNNERS AND DONKEYS

Camping on Saturday night: Overnight camping is reserved for racers at the Lake County Fairgrounds (West 6th & McWethy) for Saturday night.

2026 Leadville Boom Days Pack Burro Race Rules

ENTRY 

Each entrant will pay a registration entry fee. 

Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances and does not include the cost of renting a burro. 

EQUIPMENT 

Each burro is required to be equipped with a regulation pack saddle, a pick, shovel, and gold pan (all equipment must be functional (no toys permitted). These can either be attached to the pack saddle or carried in panniers. It is strongly recommended that all participants carry at least one quart of water, food (an energy bar), and weather appropriate clothing (such as a windbreaker). Loss of all or part of the pack and mining tools will disqualify the contestant. 

The burro will be led by the halter to which is attached a rope not to exceed 15 feet in length. 

Jack chains may be used only if used with a pressure-release technique. (A jack chain is a chain or strap which is used to apply pressure over the muzzle, under the chin, or through the mouth). Any racer coming across the finish line with nose and/or chin injuries on the animal resulting from the jack chain will be disqualified.  

BURRO  

Runners are responsible for securing their own burro for participation in the event. This burro can be one that the runner personally owns, one that they have borrowed from a friend or family member, or one that they have rented from a burro lessor of their choosing. 

Entry fees are separate from any burro rental fee a runner may incur from renting a burro. . 

It is the sole responsibility of the runner to secure a burro for the event. Race organizers, Boom Days Committee or the City of Leadville, are not a part of any agreement made between a runner and their burro owner.

The following is the definition of a burro and is to be used in selecting a burro: The word “burro” comes from the Spanish word meaning donkey. A donkey is defined as being an ass. They have chestnuts on the forelegs only, while other animals of the same species, such as mules or horses, have them on hind and forelegs. The tail has no hair, except on its lower part, which has a brush. 

For those participating in the “Long Course,” it is suggested that the team have completed at least 3 training runs together before racing, if possible.  The long course is very challenging with rugged terrain and over 4,000ft of climbing. Runners head through the historic East side mining district, climbing on old mining roads and trails toward Mosquito Pass, then turn around and descend back to town. It is a true test of endurance and partnership in the stunning high country of Leadville. 

This year’s short course is a 7ish mile course through the lower East Side Mining District of Leadville. This course offers stunning views and is great for all ages and ability of burro racers.

Burros must be sound and in good health. We will not permit the participation of a lame burro in the event. 

A registered veterinarian, or other race official, shall have the authority to disqualify any contestant and animal that does not match the above description, or whose animal is sick, doped, injured, or mistreated. The veterinarian and/or another qualified race official may check any animal before and after the race. 

Burros can be held in a designated area by the race committee for 30 minutes for checking by the veterinarian, director, or other qualified staff. While held in the designated area, only the runner is permitted to be with the burro. 

All runners must keep their burros under control. This is especially true for runners with jacks. Any burro (jacks particularly) that interferes with another runner or burro may be disqualified. 

After disqualification or completion of the event, all burros are to be returned to a corral or trailer within 30-minutes.

RACE OFFICIALS 

Defined as any person performing the duties of a race director, race committee member, race owner, Leadville Boom Days Committee member, The City of Leadville and its staff, or officially recognized race staff or registered volunteer. 

Burro racers, and burro owners are not race officials. It is imperative that individuals not present themselves as a race official, or behave in any manner that may confuse participants, landowners, other vendors, volunteers, actual race officials, or the public into believing that they are a race official. Should any individuals present themselves in this manner before, during, or after the event; all teams (see definition of ‘Team’ below) that include the individuals in violation of this rule may be disqualified. 

COURSE  

The race route must be followed exactly as it has been laid out. Race officials will make every attempt to mark the route with signs, surveyor’s tape, people and/or checkpoints. Runners are encouraged to review the course map prior to race day. 

Do not cut switchbacks or any other aspect of the route. Any burro leaving the course must be returned to the course at the exact location (or prior to) where the burro left the course. Failure to follow these rules will result in disqualification.  

CRUELTY 

Any contestant mistreating his/her animal may be disqualified. No needles, electric prods, narcotics,  clubs or whips, other than the halter rope, may be used. 

TEAM 

Runner and burro starting the race must remain a team throughout the contest. Should any runner hand their lead, rope, halter, etc. to any other person, this will signify that the team has quit the event and they will be officially disqualified. Any runner becoming separated from their burro (i.e. burro and runner are no longer racing as a connected team or unit) must return to the place they became separated before continuing the race.  

Burro owners are considered an extension of the runner, often referred to as “crew” or “team.” Owners are expected to follow the rules, policies and/or procedures of the event as outlined herein, just as the runners are. 

Spectators are allowed on the course, as are family and friends. They may offer water, food and encouragement but may not assist the runner with their burro or interfere with any other racers in doing so. No contestant shall interfere with other contestants by deliberate personal contact or receive help deliberately from others. 

NO RIDING 

The runner may lead, drive, push, pull, or carry the burro. The runner shall at no time progress except under his/her own power. The runner may not ride the burro or “drag” the burro. 

Ropes/leads should be held in the runner’s hands. We strongly suggest that no harnesses or other apparatuses be used to tie or anchor the runner to the donkey. 

FIREARMS  

The carrying and/or use of firearms will not be permitted.  

COURSE RULES 

No runner shall interfere with other runners by deliberate personal contact or receive help deliberately from others, nor shall they use anything other than the speed of travel to keep from being passed. They shall not scare or startle any opponent’s burro to keep from being passed. The lead rope and the runners’ voice from the team are the only permitted  way to motivate their burro. Using anything other than their lead rope and the runners voice to motivate their burro may result in disqualification. Any contestant judged by officials to be deliberately slowing the pace of the race shall be disqualified. This applies especially to the finish of the race. No one is authorized to run with a runner at any time while on the trail. The race director or designated  authorized person may stop a burro while on the trail to check out equipment, runner or burro. If the race director or designated authorized person feels that a violation has occurred, runner and burro may be disqualified.  

LIABILITY 

No city/town, private-property owners along the course, sponsoring businesses, governmental agencies, persons or organizations will be responsible in case of accident or injury to contestants. Each entrant must sign a waiver and/or release of responsibility.  

WINNING TEAM  

The winning combination consists of a runner and burro which 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. 

TIES 

In the event of a tie, the prize money involved, if any, will be equally divided by the contestants involved.  

APPEALS 

Should a runner be disqualified by a race official, they may continue the race and they may elect to appeal their disqualification to the race director. The decisions of the race director and The Leadville Boom Days Committee will be final. 

CODE OF ETHICS 

Each runner is required to always follow the race code of ethics, which states: You agree to abide by the following code of conduct before, during, and after this event. You will be respectful to all other runners, volunteers, and race staff and directors. Be nice! We are all here for the love of this wild and crazy sport, and, like you, we’re human. 

ENJOY THE RACE!

 

Please email- leadvilleburrorace@gmail.com. Looking forward to seeing you in August!

Shane Weigand, Race Director  and  Lisa Sandoval, Assistant Race Director