CERRILLOS, N.M. (AP) — Off-road runners are taking on the physical and emotional challenge of competing alongside pack burros that do not always keep up with their speed.
Donkey races celebrate the legacy of the Old West and rely on a fine balance between the runner and their load-bearing companion. These creatures, referred to as burros—a term derived from Spanish encompassing both domesticated donkeys and their feral relatives—must bear a saddle along with essential tools like a pick, pan, and shovel, symbolizing an earlier time when miners raced against each other to stake claims using these animals as carriers.
About 70 teams put their abilities to the test on Saturday in a competition snaking through the historically turquoise-rich town of Cerrillos in northern New Mexico. Participants guided their burros with ropes over two routes: a 6-mile (10-kilometer) stretch and a shorter 3-mile (5-kilometer) path, both traversed via uneven dirt paths and narrow desert tracks.
More ambitious
burro races in Colorado
can stretch for almost 30 miles (48 kilometers).
Racers often buy or inherit burros from owners who run out of money, time or patience. Others adopt burros that were corralled by the federal government to prevent overpopulation. Novices easily can rent an ass to try it out for kicks.
Quick start to the race
The race held in Cerrillos, serving as the tough background setting in the 1980s Western
“Young Guns,”
began with a wild dash as rival groups raced ahead, while other burros naturally tried to stay alongside.
Runners aren’t allowed to ride the burro but can guide, tug, and nudge the animal provided they do not mistreat it. Certain participants on the course swing a rope overhead similar to how one would use a lasso for motivation. Meanwhile, some competitors shout “Hup, hup!” along the route.
Joe Polonsky from Monument, Colorado, started participating in burro races in 2018. Although he considers himself an average ultramarathoner, in the world of burro racing, he stands out as a leading competitor.
I feel lucky since Jake enjoys being upfront right from the starting line,” Polonsky stated regarding his four-legged companion. “Therefore, I’ll allow him to lead.
Donkeys wear a halter, which is more lenient compared to a horse’s bridle and bit, connected to a 15-foot (4.5-meter) lead line held by the rider. Some competitors attach the rope around their waist and use the donkey for drafting purposes.
Marvin Sandoval from Leadville, Colorado, along with his miniature burro named Buttercup, secured the top position on Saturday after finishing the extended route in slightly more than 49 minutes. The streets were filled with hundreds of enthusiastic supporters who came to cheer them on, leaving their closest rivals far behind.
Sandoval attributed Buttercup’s racing triumphs to her exceptional qualities, comparing her to a unicorn: “She always aims to lead from the start and excels at climbing.”
Donkeys are careful, not obstinate.
A donkey race might turn into a battle of determination when the creatures become stubborn and refuse to move.
However, seasoned jockeys explain that this does not imply the donkeys are obstinate. Instead, these creatures are intelligent and inherently inquisitive. Whenever they detect potential threats, unease, or unfamiliar situations, they tend to remain stationary rather than moving away, contrasting with horses which often react by bolting promptly.
“If someone feels scared and anxious, they’ll simply halt and evaluate the circumstances,” Polonsky stated.
Healthy donkeys generally have lifespans of over 40 years and come in various sizes ranging from small “minis” that can stand at about waist height and weigh around 300 pounds (approximately 135 kilograms), to larger “mammoths.” These animals made their appearance in the area roughly 400 years ago, brought northward from Mexico City by Spanish colonizers and accompanying Catholic friars.
For individuals renting or borrowing a burro for the race, organizers recommend arriving early—or even the previous evening—to familiarize themselves with their animal companion, much like preparing for a first date, explained Lisa Kazmar, a massage therapist based in Edgewood, New Mexico. She personally owns four burros named after characters from the Harry Potter book series.
“You don’t know what the new donkey is going to do. It can be very scary,” Kazmar said.
Modern race circuit
Mule racing came into existence shortly after World War II in the sparsely populated former mining communities of Colorado. It has since evolved into an officially recognized state-heritage sport featuring prominent races in cities like Leadville, Buena Vista, and Fairplay. These events combine the festive atmosphere of a county fair with athletic competition.
The playful Tennessee-based Western Pack Burro Ass-ociation oversees a contemporary racing series stretching from the Tombstone Donkey Dash in Arizona all the way to the Weekend at Burney event in Cassel, California, along with a fresh “burro stampede” scheduled for this year in New Mexico’s Magdalena Mountains. Five years back, Tennessee joined the fray with an annual race taking place every April.
The race and team sponsorships encompass veterinary clinics along with companies that sell sneakers, sports drinks, and beef jerky.
In Cerrillos, the competing teams vied for Western-themed belt-buckles as prizes, with an additional “last place” accolade bestowed upon the team that finished last.
According to Shane Weigand from Edgewood, New Mexico—a construction manager, burro race organizer, and provider of both burro-pack trips and ‘tequila-burro’ wedding services—success in racing does not come easily.
“You need to dedicate significant time walking alongside your burro on the trail to build that bond and trust,” he explained.
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The narrative has been revised to correct the spelling of Marvin Sandoval’s first name.
Morgan Lee, The Canadian Press
