Event Description
Come BRAY with us at the beautiful, historic Empire Ranch! Nestled in the gorgeous rolling hills of the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area near Sonoita, AZ, this race weekend will be filled with unbeatable desert scenery, great trails, and lots of burro based fun. BRAY will be offering a short course (between 3 and 5 miles, TBD) and long course (between 7 and 9 miles, TBD) with first through third place prizes being offered for each. We will do our best to get accurate course distances, but with a trail run there is often some wiggle room. Be sure to bring your camp chairs and s'mores supplies, as the ranch offers some of the most amazing unimpeded stargazing around, and you'll want to hang out around the camp fire (moisture levels permitting) to take in all the beauty of the desert at night.
BRAY urges all prospective participants to carefully read all rules and requirements prior to registering for a race. Participants agree that by registering for this race that they have read and understood all of the rules, requirements, and obligations described within this section, any links within this section, and the release waiver. By registering for this race participants understand and agree that they are responsible for getting themselves, in person, to all mandatory meetings, vet-ins, and check-ins described within the schedule or they will not be permitted to run.
Vet-in and pre-race meeting will be held the morning of the run, March 5, 2022, prior to the start of the race. Teams must be present for both the pre-race meeting and vet-in in order to participate. The official schedule is TBD, but the vet-in and pre-race meeting will be held at some point between the hours of 8:30 am and 10:00am, depending on how many entrants we have. The official schedule will be released the week before the race, please plan on being present, with your burro partner, ready to participate in the vet-in at 8:30 am, March 5th.
Overnight dry camping and trailer parking is available on site. Pack saddles and/or paraphernalia not required to participate.
BRAY Burro (Donkey) Race Rules
Each entrant or their sponsor will pay a fee as determined by BRAY Club for each race. BRAY Club will have discretion as to how the entry fees will be used; entry fees are generally used for prizes and race expenses. The Entry fee must accompany the entry application and will not be refunded. Runners must be 14 years old or older on the day of the race to participate. Only registered participants will be permitted on the course at the time of the race.
Good sportsmanship is encouraged and will be rewarded. Please be kind, considerate and have a great time enjoying our wonderful animals and our open spaces. That is what the burro/donkey community is all about.
No city, 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.
The following is the definition of a burro and is to be used in selecting such. The word burro comes from the Spanish word meaning donkey. A donkey is defined as being an ass, of the species ‘Equus asinus’. They have chestnuts on the forelegs only, while other animals of the same genus of equus, such as mules or horses, have them on both the hind and forelegs. The tail has short hair, except on its lower portion , which has a brush. A registered veterinarian shall have the authority to disqualify any contestant and animal that does not match the above description, or whose animal is sick, doped, injured, unsound, or mistreated. The veterinarian will check the animal before and after the race. The race committee can hold winning burros in a designated area for 30 minutes to allow for veterinarian checks.
All runners must keep their burros under control. Any burro that interferes with another runner or burro may be disqualified. The runner is 100% responsible for the safe handling and welfare of the burro throughout the entire event.
No intact jacks shall be permitted to race in a BRAY Burro Race.
It is strongly recommended that all participants carry at least one quart of water, food (an energy bar), and clothing (such as a windbreaker).
The burro must be outfitted with a strap- (leather or synthetic) or rope-style halter. The runner may only be attached to the burro with a single lead rope that does not exceed 15 feet in length, measured from the end of rope to tip of buckle. The lead rope may only be connected to the halter tie ring, or tie loop in the case of a rope halter, and may not be affixed to the saddle or to any other part of the burro. Ropes are to be held in the runner's hands. Harnesses or other apparatuses used to tie or anchor the burro to the runner will not be allowed.
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 or under the chin) Any racer coming across the finish line with nose and/or chin injuries on the animal resulting from the jack chain will be disqualified. The jack chain is not permitted to be in the mouth of the burro.
Cruelty: Any contestant mistreating their animal will be disqualified. No needles, electric prods, narcotics, clubs or whips, other than the halter rope, may be used. Failure to follow these rules may result in a temporary or permanent ban from future BRAY events.
The race route must be followed. It will be marked by signs, people, or aid stations. Do not cut the course, such as cutting across switchbacks. Any burro leaving the course must be returned to the course without shortening the distance of the course. 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. Failure to follow these rules will result in disqualification.
Veterinary checks: BRAY will have a completion of veterinary checks before every race for soundness and general health of the burro and after the race for soundness of the burro. A burro will be disqualified for unsoundness (before, during, or after the race). Burros who do not complete the veterinary check, at the time listed on the schedule, will not be permitted to run.
Team: Contestant and burro starting the race must remain a team throughout the contest. No assistants will be allowed to accompany any team.
The winning combination consists of a person and burro, which must cross the finish line as a unit. The person may be leading or following the burro but the burro's nose crossing the finish line first constitutes the winner.
During the race, teams (1 person+1 burro) must remain a team from start to finish. No burro swapping. If the team becomes separated, the person must retrieve their burro then must return to the spot that they became separated and proceed from there to be considered for prizes and placing. Runners must be at least 14 years old on the day of the race. Only registered participants and volunteers are permitted on the course at the time of the race. All others will be considered "assistants" and the team they are accompanying will be disqualified.
The runner may push, pull, drive, or carry the burro. The contestant shall at no time progress except under their own power. Ropes must be held in the runner's hands. Runners are not permitted to use any harness or apparatus to tie to the burro or their tack.
Should a contestant be disqualified by a race official, they may continue the race (a second offense will definitely put them off the trail) and they may appeal his grievance to the BRAY Board. The decisions of the board will be final. If a contestant is disqualified due to burro injury or unsoundness they may not finish the course nor contest the decision.
In the event of a tie, the prize money involved, if any, will be equally divided by the contestants involved.
Carrying and use of firearms will not be permitted.
Firearms, starter pistols, or firing blanks will not be permitted to begin a race. Races may be begun with a bell, buzzer, siren, countdown, or horn.
BRAY STRONGLY recommends runners secure a burro partner before registering for an event. BRAY does not provide, rent, or assign burros. Refunds will not be issued on the basis of a participant's inability to locate a burro teammate in time for the event. To register your burro partner for the event a participant must select "create a burro" to add your unique, password protected burro by name. Once a runner has done so they may register under the burro's name as their "team". Runners will not be able to add a burro for which they do not have a password. If a runner needs to switch burros prior to the event, or needs to add their burro's name to their team they can contact race management to do so.
While it is a race, remember to slow down and enjoy the beauty. Safety first, competition second.
