✨ NEW YEAR BURRO BASH 2027 ✨
The Wildest, Long-Eared Start to Your New Year!
🎉 🥂 Ready to ring in 2027 with maximum energy and unmatched vibes? Come for the laughter, stay for the company, and run alongside the absolute best long ears around! Join us for a high-spirited, festive trail run that celebrates fresh starts, great friendships, and the undeniable charm of our favorite burros.
🫏 Don’t have a donkey? No problem at all! Whether you’re flyin' solo or teaming up with a long-eared partner, this adventure is for everyone. Brand new to burro running? Come taste the magic—it is literally impossible not to smile when you’re trotting beside these incredible animals!
⏰ IMPORTANT DEADLINES & ENTRY FEES 🎽
💵 Early Bird Entry: Utilize the coupon code NewYear2027 to receive a $10 discount on our registration. Coupon valid until September 30, 2026.
💵 Standard Entry: $75 per entry October 1, 2026 - November 15, 2026
⚠️ Late Entry Increase: $80 from November 15, 2026 through January 15, 2026.
On-site: $80
👕 Race Shirt Cutoff: Register by December 31, 2026 to guarantee your limited-edition race shirt! (Additional shirts may be available for purchase on race day).
Note: All entry fees are non-refundable.
📅 EVENT SCHEDULE
🌙 Friday, January 15, 2027
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!
🏃 Saturday, January 16, 2027
⏰ 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Race Check-In
All burros must be checked in by 9:00 AM. No Exceptions.
📢 9:00 AM: Mandatory Race Meeting
All participants (burro teams and solo runners) are asked to attend. We will keep it brief and answer questions quickly!
🚀 10:00 AM: RACE TIME!
All distances begin at the same time for burro teams and solo runners. Pack saddles optional for both distances.
🎭 4:00 PM: COSTUME CONTEST
Theme: New Year’s Around the World
Dress your burro and yourself as a matching team inspired by a New Year’s celebration from anywhere in the world! Represent a country, tradition, custom, or landmark. (A splash of color is okay—example: Beetlejuice’s green hair).
🏆 Categories: Adult or Youth (if participation allows) | 1 donkey & 1 person per team
💵 $20 Entry Fee | 💰 Cash Prizes!
🪵 Sunday, January 17, 2027
Obstacle Course
Morning Event (Exact time TBD)
3 Divisions | 💰 Cash Prizes!
🏕️ CAMPING AT BOYD RANCH
Camping will be available at Boyd Ranch! Primitive camping, water, and bathrooms are included with your entry fee. Everyone is welcome to camp with your burro from Thursday, January 14, 2027 to Monday, January 18, 2027.
- First-Come, First-Served: Camping sites are first-come, first-served.
- Pen Rentals: Pens are available for $30/event (self-clean). Please pile manure 5 feet outside of the pen towards the road for tractor access. Pay via the onsite cash box or pay Kim at Boyd Ranch directly. Contact Kim at Boyd Ranch to arrange in advance.
- Campfires: Allowed in elevated pits only—bring your s'mores!
- Meals: Dinner provided Friday; lunch provided Saturday, Sunday BYO. Donations encouraged! Please bring your own drink container/cup and your own snacks between meals.
- Dogs Policy: Allowed at camp only (must be kept on a leash and under control at all times; pick up after them). *Dogs are NOT allowed to participate in any race events.
- Facility Rules: No smoking in buildings. Report any facility difficulties immediately.
📜 RULES, REGULATIONS & DEFINITIONS
Allowed Competitors:
- Solo runners and burro teams only. A Burro Team consists of 1 runner and 1 burro.
- No ponies, mules, zonkeys, or zebras.
- Pack saddles are optional for both distances.
- Ungelded donkeys (jacks) and donkeys under 3 years old require Race Director approval to participate.
- Please reach out to the race director if your animal is close to 3yr mark and you'd like to participate.
- Veterinary checks may occur before or after the race. Burros can be held by volunteers in designated areas for 30 minutes for health checks. Disqualification applies to any sick, injured, doped, or mistreated animal.
- Dogs are not allowed on course.
On the Race Course:
- Team Unit: Runner and burro starting the race must remain together. The winning combination consists of 1 individual and 1 burro crossing the finish line as a unit.
- Progress: Runners may lead, drive, push, pull, or carry the burro. At no time shall the contestant progress under their own power via riding.
- Separation: Any runner separated from their burro must return to the exact place of separation before continuing.
- Course Navigation: Follow all marked signs, personnel, and aid stations. Do not cut the course. Any burro leaving the course must return without shortening the distance.
- Instructions: Runners can only drive/instruct their own donkey, unless safety is a concern or to clear a bottleneck without gaining an unfair advantage.
Required & Allowed Equipment:
- Halter: Must fit properly without obstructing eyes or pulling off easily.
- Lead Rope: Maximum 15 feet in length (measured to the tip of buckle). Connected to halter only. Prohibited: Connecting lead rope to saddle/runner, locking mechanisms, knots binding runner and donkey, or harnesses.
- Jack Chain: Allowed ONLY with a pressure-release technique for communication.
Key Definitions:
• Owner: Donkey personally owned by the runner.
• Borrower: Individual running/handling a donkey not owned by them.
• Renter: Individual providing their donkey for use by a borrower.
• Bottleneck: An impasse where team placement prevents progression of runners behind them.
• Sportsmanship: Commitment to fair play, ethical behavior, integrity, and goodwill toward opponents.
🫏 BURRO RENTALS
We do not rent burros directly through this race. Participants must make prior arrangements to secure a donkey. If any rescue organizations join to offer rental burros, their information will be posted here!
📍 LOCATION & DIRECTIONS
Driving Directions From Wickenburg
• Take Hwy 93 North to the 5th roundabout.
• At the U-Haul, turn right onto North Scenic Loop Road.
• Stay on the main dirt road for 8.5 miles.
• Follow the signs to Boyd Ranch.
⚠️ IMPORTANT ROUTE WARNING ⚠️
DO NOT use general Google Maps directions other than the explicit map link above.
DO NOT USE RINCON ROAD.
* Please verify your route ahead of time, especially when hauling horse or burro trailers.
✉️ CONTACT US
Have questions about the race, camping, or rules? Drop us a message below!
Waivers Release of Liability
⚖️ LIABILITY WAIVER & EQUINE STATUTE
Assumption of Risk
All participants in any event held during the 2026–2027 New Year Burro Bash participate at their own risk. No town, county, or private property owners along the course, sponsoring businesses, governmental agencies, persons, volunteers, race officials, or organizations will be liable in case of accident or injury to the runner or burro. Each runner must sign a waiver and/or release of responsibility before they race.
Arizona Equine Limited Liability Statute (A.R.S. § 12-553(A))
“Arizona, as well as many other states, have enacted legislation to protect those in the equine industry from liability if a participant suffers an injury or death from an inherent risk of an equine-related activity. Arizona’s Equine Limited Liability statute provides an equine owner is not liable for injury or death if:
(1) the participant took control of the equine prior to injury or death;
(2) if the participant or the parent or legal guardian of a minor participant signed a release before taking control of the equine;
(3) if the owner or agent has properly installed suitable tack or the participant personally tacked the equine with tack provided by the owner or agent of the equine; or
(4) the owner or agent assigns a suitable equine based on a reasonable interpretation of the participant’s representation of his or her skills, health and experience with and knowledge of equines. A.R.S. § 12-553(A).”
* By registering for the New Year Burro Bash, you acknowledge and agree to the terms of the liability release and equine statutes listed above.
2025 Burro Bash
