Pack burro race

Posted byrkrontheroadPosted inColorado, Georgetown, North America, Photography, Travel, United StatesTags:, , , ,

Run your ass off! Get your ass over the pass! This annual event is too good not to share again; it’s been a couple of years since my original post about the race. I’ve included some of the photos from that post and added a few from this year.

Pack burro racing has been called the official summer heritage sport in Colorado. In the early days of mining in the Rocky Mountain west, miners used burros to carry their supplies. They couldn’t ride since the animals would be laden down with goods, so they would walk, leading their donkeys, climbing steep hillsides.

In Georgetown, my little mountain town, dubbed The Silver Queen of the Rockies because silver mining was booming back in its formative years, the race has been a Memorial Day weekend tradition. Starting in historic downtown Georgetown, about fifty runners cover about eight to nine miles to the neighboring town of Empire and back. Once out of town, the path is unpaved and runs up over Empire Pass.  There are prizes for the winners, a prize for the one who picks up the most trash, and lots of spectators. The runners line up and finish in front of the beautifully restored, elegant Hotel de Paris, now a museum.

For the past five years, the Clear Creek Rotary Club has staged a Burro Poop Drop. The starting area of the street is taped off in a grid. Try your luck with the “Call to Dooty” bets to guess which square has the most burro poop. Part of the proceeds go to a prize, the rest to scholarships for local youth.

Gathering before the race

Glad to see more women runners this year (the humans, not sure which burros are female)

And they’re off! It’s great fun to watch them head out, hoofing it down Sixth Street, the main drag in town, some pulling their reluctant beasts, some jogging to keep up. You can hear the gold pans clanging and the runners shouting encouragements.

Pushing…
And pulling…

and back again for the finish

Some looked a bit tired, but they made it!

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Published by rkrontheroad

Writer, photographer, traveler

36 thoughts on “Pack burro race”

  3. This is some thing you don’t find anywhere any time at most times! Really different! I was a little worried about the burros but it looks like they have a good time also. Thanks for sharing. I love to learn about places where I’ve never been.

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  9. This is such a fun event and just look at those hardy little animals! Is burro actually just another way to say donkey, Ruth? Cheers, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx

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  12. That looks like fun to watch, although I’m not convinced all the burros are having fun – some seem a bit heavy-laden and their reluctance to run is understandable. However I do like the idea of a prize for the one who picks up the most trash!

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    1. I hear what you’re saying… I’m hesitant to support events that involve animals, especially horse racing. This race has a history that is celebrated, and the burros are well cared for. Those that train are coached by owners and trainers.

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  15. Hey! I remember walking down that street with you!
    We’ve never seen a burro race in action, but we’ve been on the main drag in Leadville when a race has just finished and all the burros and their people are gathered. Fun stuff. That’s an “only in Colorado” type of experience. 🙂

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