I heard about this back home when I lived in Colorado. I thought it was amusing and intriguing. I love the idea of hiking with a burro. I also love running. If I lived out that way, I would definitely try one of the shorter races.
I have dreamed of doing this with my Jenny! She’s become a game hiking companion. I wish there were races this side of the Mississippi River!
It’s a heritage sport in Colorado. I think the little mini movie I saw said the races have been going on since 1949 as a way to attract more people to dying mountain towns. They said it either originated as a bet in a saloon or when two miners raced back into to town to stake a claim on a mine. Regardless, it’s origins are uniquely Colorado. It’s also a summer sport, so I think they are going on right now. They even have a Triple Crown of sorts, lol.
I would love to do it, but you have to live in the mountains to train properly with your burro.
