Burro racing wins over runners in backcountry ode to mining history

CERRILLOS, N.M. (AP) — Backcountry runners are embracing the physical and emotional challenge of racing with pack burros that don't always move at their pace.

Burro races honor Old West history and hinge on a delicate partnership between runner and beast of burden. Burros, a Spanish-derived word for donkeys and their wild cousins, must carry a saddle, pick, pan and shovel in homage to a bygone era and the mythical sprint by miners to a land claims office with their pack animal.

Some 70 teams tested their skills Saturday in a race winding through the historic, turquoise-mining town of Cerrillos in northern New Mexico. Runners led burros by rope on 6-mile (10-kilometer) and 3-mile (5-kilometer) courses on unpaved roads and single-track desert trails.

More ambitious burro races in Colorado can extend for nearly 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.

The race in Cerrillos, which provided the rugged backdrop in the 1980s Western "Young Guns," started with a madcap sprint as competitive teams galloped to the front of the pack, and other burros instinctively attempted to keep pace.

Runners can’t ride the burro but can push, pull and coax the animal as long as they don't abuse it. Some racers swing a rope in circles — like a lasso — to encourage movement. Others on the trail cry out, “Hup, hup!”

Joe Polonsky of Monument, Colorado, took up burro racing in 2018. He described himself as a mediocre ultramarathon runner, but in burro racing he is a top contender.

“I am fortunate because Jake does like to be up front at the start of the race,” Polonsky said about his four-legged partner. “So I will let him pull me.”

Burros wear a halter, which is less restrictive than a horse's bridle and bit, attached to a 15-foot (4.5-meter) rope held by the runner. Some racers tether the rope to their waist and draft off the burro.

Marvin Sandoval of Leadville, Colorado, and his mini burro named Buttercup finished first Saturday, completing the longer course in just over 49 minutes. Hundreds of cheering spectators lined the street, and the nearest competitors were out of sight.

The secret to his racing success, Sandoval likened Buttercup to a unicorn: "She wants to be out front, she climbs really well.”

A burro race can devolve into a contest of wills when the animals get defiant and won’t budge.

But experienced racers say that doesn't mean the donkeys are being stubborn. They are smart and naturally curious animals. When they sense danger, discomfort or the unknown, they lock down in place, unlike horses that quickly flee.

”If something scares them and they're nervous, they’re going to just stop and assess the situation," Polonsky said.

Healthy donkeys typically live 40 years or more and vary in size from waist-high “minis” that may weigh 300 pounds (135 kilograms) to bulky “mammoths.” Burros first appeared in the region more than 400 years ago, led from Mexico City by Spanish settlers and Catholic friars.

For those who rent or borrow a burro for the race, they are encouraged to show up early or even the night before to get acquainted with their racing buddy, not unlike a blind date, said Lisa Kazmar, a massage therapist from Edgewood, New Mexico, who owns four burros with names taken from Harry Potter novels.

“You don’t know what the new donkey is going to do. It can be very scary,” Kazmar said.

Burro racing emerged shortly after World War II in depopulated Colorado mining towns and now is an official state-heritage sport with marquee races in Leadville, Buena Vista and Fairplay that blend county-fair cheer and athleticism.

The pun-loving Western Pack Burro Ass-ociation manages the modern race circuit that extends from the Tombstone Donkey Dash in Arizona to a Weekend at Burney race in Cassel, California, and a new “burro stampede” this year in the Magdalena Mountains of New Mexico. Tennessee got in on the action five years ago with a race held annually in April.

Race and team sponsors include veterinary clinics, as well as brands selling sneakers, hydration drinks and beef jerky.

At Cerrillos, the teams competed for Western belt-buckle trophies, including a “last ass” award for the final finisher.

Success in racing doesn't come easy, according to Shane Weigand of Edgewood, New Mexico, a construction manager, burro race organizer and backcountry outfitter for burro-pack trips and “tequila-burro” weddings.

“You have to spend a lot of time on the trail with your burro, building up that relationship and trust,” he said.

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This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the first name of Marvin Sandoval.

Pack burros and their human companions race through the streets of a former mining town and across backcountry desert trails in Cerrillos, N.M., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

Pack burros and their human companions race through the streets of a former mining town and across backcountry desert trails in Cerrillos, N.M., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

Pack burros and their human companions race through the streets of a former mining town and across backcountry desert trails in Cerrillos, N.M., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

Pack burros and their human companions race through the streets of a former mining town and across backcountry desert trails in Cerrillos, N.M., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

Pack burros and their human companions race through the streets of a former mining town and across backcountry desert trails in Cerrillos, N.M., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

Pack burros and their human companions race through the streets of a former mining town and across backcountry desert trails in Cerrillos, N.M., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

Pack burros are placed outside their trailers in Cerrillos, N.M., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

A Pack burro is attended to in Cerrillos, N.M., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

People look on as Pack burros and their human companions race through the streets of a former mining town and across backcountry desert trails in Cerrillos, N.M., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

Pack burros and their human companions race through the streets of a former mining town and across backcountry desert trails in Cerrillos, N.M., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

Pack burros and their human companions race through the streets of a former mining town and across backcountry desert trails in Cerrillos, N.M., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

Pack burros and their human companions race through the streets of a former mining town and across backcountry desert trails in Cerrillos, N.M., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

FILE - Team Yellow competes in the Burro Racing at the Beaver Creek Rodeo on Thursday, June 28, 2018, in Avon, Colo. (Chris Dillmann/Vail Daily via AP, File)

FILE - Racers Bobby Lewis, left, and Barb Dolan sprint to the finish line with their burros "Wellstone" and "Chugs" respectively, to tie for 1st place during the Gold Rush Days festival, Aug. 15, 2004, in Buena Vista, Colo. (AP Photo/Ed Kosmicki, File)

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George had 16 points during the third quarter, when Utah rallied from a 10-point deficit and regained control and began its five-game road trip with a victory. George also was 12 of 12 at the free throw line and had nine assists.

The win was the Jazz’s second in their past eight games and came two nights after a 150-95 loss to the Charlotte Hornets, the second-largest by scoring margin in franchise history and the biggest since they moved from New Orleans in 1979.

Markkanen, 10th in the league in scoring at 27.8 points per game, also had 12 rebounds. Jusuf Nurkik, who missed the last two games due to a toe injury, had 11 points and 17 rebounds.

Darius Garland led Cleveland with 23 points and Donovan Mitchell scored 21. The Cavaliers have dropped two of three.

PACERS 98, CELTICS 96

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Pascal Siakam scored 21 points, including the decisive 7-foot bank shot with 6.1 seconds remaining, and Indiana won three straight games for the first time this season, beating Boston.

Boston’s Derrick White missed a go-ahead 3-point attempt in the final seconds. He had tied the game at 96-all on a driving layup with 28.6 seconds remaining.

Siakam pump-faked and stepped inside the foul line for the high-arcing leaner that banked through in the final seconds. He also had eight rebounds and six assists.

The Pacers began the night with the NBA’s worst record but improved to 9-31, one-half game better than the New Orleans Pelicans. They were without forward Bennedict Mathurin (17.8 points per game), sidelined by a thumb injury for a fifth consecutive game.

Jay Huff had 20 points, including four 3-pointers, for the Pacers.

Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 23 points and eight assists. White had 18 points and Anfernee Simons 16.

76ERS 115, RAPTORS 102

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VJ Edgecombe and Paul George each scored 15 points as the 76ers bounced back from Sunday’s overtime loss to Toronto to win for the sixth time in eight games.

Embiid (left knee and left groin) and George (left knee) were back in the lineup after sitting out Sunday.

Fans chanted “We want Lowry!” in the fourth quarter, then rose for a standing ovation when former Raptors player Kyle Lowry checked in for Maxey with 1:57 left to play.

Lowry starred for the Toronto team that won the 2019 NBA championship. He airballed a 3-pointer on his first attempt and missed all three shots he took.

Immanuel Quickley scored 18 points and Brandon Ingram had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Scottie Barnes scored 15 points for Toronto.

MAVERICKS 113, NETS 105

DALLAS (AP) — Cooper Flagg scored 27 points and matched a season high with three steals, and Naji Marshall had three straight baskets down the stretch and finished with 22 points as Dallas beat Brooklyn.

The Mavericks (15-25) snapped a two-game skid. Klay Thompson scored 18 off the bench and matched a season high with six 3-pointers.

Michael Porter Jr. scored 28 points and Day’Ron Sharpe had 14 points and 12 rebounds off the bench for the Nets (11-26), who have lost four consecutive games. They were swept in a road back-to-back, losing 103-98 at Memphis on Sunday.

KINGS 124, LAKERS 112

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) —Malik Monk made seven 3-pointers and scored 26 points to help Sacramento Kings to a win over Los Angeles.

DeMar DeRozan had 32 points and six assists for the Kings (10-30), who won their second straight after a seven-game skid. Russell Westbrook, who played 78 games for the Lakers in 2023, added 22 points and seven assists.

It was the Kings’ first home win against the Lakers since March 13, 2024.

Luka Doncic paced the Lakers with 42 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. It was the seventh 40-point game of the season for the NBA’s leading scorer.

LeBron James had 22 points on 8-for-17 shooting that included missing all five attempts from 3-point distance.

DeAndre Ayton scored 13 points to reach 7,000 for his career. Jaxson Hayes added 12 points for the Lakers (23-11), who have lost two straight since winning three in a row.

CLIPPERS 117, HORNETS 109

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 35 points and James Harden had 32 to move into ninth place on the NBA’s career scoring list, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat Charlotte for their fourth win in five games.

Jordan Miller added 14 points and Ivica Zubac had nine points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers.

LaMelo Ball had 25 points and nine rebounds to lead the Hornets in their third loss in four games. Kon Knueppel scored 18 points, Moussa Diabaté had 13 points and 15 rebounds, Brandon Miller also scored 13 and Miles Bridges 11.

Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) blocks a shot by Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski (22) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)