New Year Burro Bash

New Year Burro Bash 2026

Come ring in the New Year with your favorite jackasses! We’ll be celebrating the New Year in good fashion with the best long ears and their people! Don’t have a donkey to run with? Not quite ready to run with a donkey but want to experience it? Not a problem! We’re very excited to offer solo runner options again this year! Come join the fun and experience the love of long ears!

Each solo participant or burro team will receive a New Year Burro Bash race bib, swag bag and those who sign up before December 10, 2025 will receive a race shirt!

Event Schedule:

• Friday January 2, 2026: Appetizers, dinner, and dessert to be served as we ring in the New Year! Treasure Hunt after dark, seek hidden treasures with glow sticks in them. Prizes and burro treats in every treasure. Entry into any run distance makes you eligible to participate. One person one burro. No helpers allowed. Separate liability release will be required.
• Saturday January 3, 2026:
  • 8:00-9:00 AM: Race Check In. All burros must be checked in by 9:00 AM. No exceptions.
  • 9:00 AM: Race Meeting. All participants, burro teams and solo runners, are required to be present at the race meeting.
  • 10:00 AM: 5k and 10k Races. Burro teams and solo runners are welcome on both distances. Pack Saddles are optional for both distances.
  • 4:00 PM: Costume contest. Theme: Black and White. Cash prizes.
• Sunday January 4, 2025: Obstacle Challenge. Exact time to be determined. 3 divisions. Cash prizes.

Important Deadlines

• December 3, 2025: Entry fees increase from $50 to $65
• December 10, 2025: Last day to enter and receive a race shirt.

Camping:

Camping will be available at Boyd Ranch. There will be primitive camping, water and bathrooms, included with your entry fee. Everyone is welcome to come camp with your burro Friday January 2, 2026 - Sunday January 4, 2026. Camping sites are first come, first served. There are pens available for an additional fee, please contact Kim at Boyd Ranch to arrange, if desired. Campfires are allowed in elevated pits, bring your smores! Dinner Friday with breakfast and potluck lunch on Saturday, donations encouraged and please bring your own drink container/cup. Bring your own snacks for in between meals.

Please note: Pens are $30/event self-clean. Pile manure 5' outside of pen towards road for tractor access. Cash box available or you can pay Kim at Boyd Ranch directly. Dogs allowed, must be on leash and pick up after them in camp. No smoking in buildings. Report facility difficulties immediately. Fires in elevated pits only.

Rules and Regulations

Entry Fees: $50 per entry, burro team or solo runner, until December 2, 2025. After December 2, 2025 price increase to $65. All entries are non-refundable.

Allowed Competitors: Solo runners and burro teams only. Burro Team consists of 1 runner and 1 burro. No ponies, mules, zonkeys, or zebras. Pack saddles optional for both distances.

Race director and/or committee has authority to disqualify any contestant and animal who are sick, doped, injured, or mistreated. A veterinarian or race director can check any animal before or after the race. Burros can be held by race committee/volunteers in designated area for 30 minutes to allow for health checks. Ungelded donkeys (jacks) and donkeys under the age of 3yr require race director approval to participate.

On the Race Course: Runner can only drive or provide instructions to their own donkey, unless safety is a concern and does not provide an unfair advantage, or a bottleneck that impedes teams from progressing. Runner and burro starting the race must remain a team throughout the race. No assistants will be allowed to accompany the team. Race route must be followed. Route will be marked by signs, people, or aid stations. Do not cut the course. 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 must return to the place they became separated before continuing the race. Runners are responsible for securing their own burro for participation in the event.

Required Equipment: Halter, Lead rope (Not to exceed 15 feet in length).

Other Equipment: Pack Saddle, Jack Chain (May be used only if used with a pressure-release technique).

Definitions: Owner, Borrower, Renter, Bottleneck, Sportsmanship.

Burro Rentals: We do not rent burros through this race. You must have prior arrangements in place to have a donkey for your use if you want to participate with a burro. Please contact Forever Home Donkey Sanctuary or Oatman Burros to arrange a burro rental!