THE BURROS ARE BACK!
ONCE UPON A TIME ... wild burros roamed the streets of Superior, AZ. Brought here as beasts of burden by early prospectors, they eventually became beloved town residents, carrying children in town parades and serving as an often humorous and always endearing addition to life in Superior. Those original Superior Burros still provide a vivd memories to a few, and mostly hold a place in the town's history and lore. It's been decades since the once-familiar brays echoed off the cliffs of Apache Leap and up the rocky canyons of the Superstitions ... until now, because THE BURROS ARE BACK!! Find a burro to run with (or just come watch), and join us, the Superior Arizona Chamber of Commerce, in celebrating the return of burros for the Superior Burro Run -- Arizona's first BurroCross race.
LOCATION
The race will start and finish on the historic Main Street of Superior, AZ. Nestled at the base of Apache Leap, the town got its start with silver in the late 1800s. For decades Magma Copper was the main source of employment in the town and the mine extracted both silver and copper ore. When Magma ceased operation in 1982, many predicted that Superior would become another Arizona ghost town, like nearby Pinal City, where Maddie Blaylock (Wyatt Earp's common-law wife) is buried. Less than 10 years after the Magma Mine closed, a "copper dome" was discovered deep underground and Resolution Copper Company began activities to develop their extraction operation, helping to catalyze Superior's revitalization. To this day, Superior remains a small town with historic charm and cultural roots that anchor the town through generations to the Arizona story.
COURSE
There are 2 courses: a Competitive Course (approx. 12 mi.); and an Introductory Course (approx. 6 mi.). There is a cut-off and return location to shorten either course to a 3.5-mile distance, however the 3.5 miles is not an official course and will not receive a completion. All participants must register for either the Introductory or Competitive distances. Both courses present a mixture of paved roadways, OHV roads, and trails. Most of the course is relatively flat or undulating terrain with one significant climb and descent on the Competitive course. Some surfaces may be rocky, or present obstacles such as water, step-overs, etc. Be prepared to encounter native desert flora and fauna. Both courses begin near the top of East Main Street in Superior, Arizona. Both courses follow the same route, crossing Queen Creek (which may or may not have water), until the Intro Course turn-around point (Checkpoint 1), at which time the Intro Course teams will return to finish on Main Street where they began. The Introductory Distance passes through a small portion of the Tonto National Forest before returning to town, but most of this course winds its way through the historic mining town. The Competitive Distance enters the Tonto National Forest, crossing the Queen Creek drainage two more times, passing through the historic townsite of Pinal City and alongside the ruins of Mill Hill. From there, BurroCross teams climb to a commanding view of the Superstition Mountains and the towering Picket Post Mountain before descending via the new L.O.S.T. (Legends of Superior Trails) trail into the treasured Arnett Canyon, a lush and hidden riparian canyon at the base of Picket Post Mountain. After exiting Arnett Canyon, teams will return to finish back on Main Street.
Course Map URL: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xX4dD-hcyAOsg1sC_hv1jgmQXmng5VeL&usp=sharing
SCHEDULE
Thursday, October 10, 2019: 12PM - Burro Basecamp (Box 8 Ranch) Open to Arrivals
Friday, October 11, 2019: 12PM to 6PM - Check-In and Vet-In (Burro Basecamp)
Friday, October 11, 2019: 4PM - Last Minute BurroCross Basics Class by the Burro Buddies (Burro Basecamp)
Friday, October 11, 2019: 6PM - Pre-Race Meeting in Burro Basecamp (Dinner available for purchase)
Saturday, October 12: 9 to 9:50AM - Pre-Race Ceremony / Meet & Greet (please be on Main Street prepared to run)
Saturday, October 12: 10AM - RACE START (Main St.)
Saturday, October 12: 4PM - Award Ceremony (Main St.)
Saturday, October 12: 6PM - Course Closes
EQUIPMENT
BurroCross is a team event, the team being comprised of a runner and a burro. Runners must supply or arrange for their own burro. Burros will not be provided. It is recommended that participants spend some time practicing and getting to know the ins and outs of their burro before the event, if possible. No other type of equine or animal will be permitted on the course. Whether or not the burro is carrying a pack saddle is at the discretion of the runner and does not affect standing. Saddles will not be weighed and there is no weight requirement. Burros must wear a halter and be led with a single lead rope. While there is not a rule prohibiting rope halters, webbed halters are preferred. A stud chain may be used with a webbed halter, but is not encouraged. The runner should recognize that any injury to the burro as a result of using a stud chain or rope halter may result in a Non-Completion (by determination of the Race Veterinarian and Race Director). No bits or reins are permitted. It is strongly recommended that participants use appropriate trail-running footwear and carry at least 1-2 quarts of water, food, sunscreen, and clothing for all types of weather and terrain. Gloves are also recommended to prevent rope burns.
RULES
Please check in WITH YOUR BURRO between 12pm and 6pm on Friday, October 11th. Runners will receive their packet containing course maps, bib numbers, etc. All burros must be vetted in on Friday. There will be no check-in or vet-in the day of the race. Burros should be presented to the veterinarian without a pack saddle but should be wearing any hoof protection that is planned for the race. Each burro must pass a basic veterinary exam in order to participate, which includes a trot out. Please handle your burros conscientiously and responsibly to maintain safety. During the event, teams (human+burro) must remain a team from start to finish (no burro-switching). The runner is 100% responsible for the handling and welfare of the burro throughout the race and shall not have outside assistance. That being said, participants are encouraged to help each other (including helping to motivate the burro) in the spirit of good sportsmanship. BurroCross is not necessarily an easy sport. The runner may push, pull, drag, or carry the burro, but the runner shall at no time ride the burro or progress in any other way except under his/her own power. No contestant shall interfere with other contestants by deliberate personal contact or receive help deliberately from others, nor shall s/he use anything other than the speed of travel to keep from being passed (no intentional blocking or other measures). Unsportsmanlike conduct and abusive treatment of any burro will not be tolerated and will result in disqualification. COURTESY to others, good SPORTSMANSHIP, and STEWARDSHIP of the burro partner are paramount! The team must cross the finish line together. Finish times will be established based on the time that the burro's nose crosses the finish line AND meeting criteria for the final vet check within the allotted post-finish timeframe. See the ABC FB page website for the full rules or use this URL to view: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G_u05oQK9EY7Jc76ffkQAH7J3RnOquoSwC8dXw3DGQw/edit?usp=sharing
WEATHER
The typical weather in Superior, AZ in October ranges from highs in the 80s (ºF) to overnights lows in the 60s (ºF). There is always the possibility of rain, however heavy or monsoon rains are not normal for this time of year.
ACCOMODATION
Burro Basecamp will be located at the Box 8 Ranch, located at 226 S. Smith Dr. in Superior, AZ. Campers must be self-sustaining with their own food and corrals or other means to safely house their burros at the trailer overnight. Potable water is available. A camping fee (TBD) will be collected upon arrival. Burros shall not be left overnight at the ranch unattended.
VOLUNTEERS & SPECTATORS
A driving force in producing this race is to showcase the historic, creative, outdoor-oriented, and fun-loving place that is Superior, AZ! This event is for YOU and we welcome you to Superior in whatever capacity you wish to participate. Of course, volunteers are always needed and appreciated, and we recognize that this event can benefit from the efforts and experience of good volunteers. Volunteering can, in itself, be a rewarding experience. In future years we hope to have enough sponsors to provide volunteers with some sort of race souvenir or nourishment during their shift, but as this is our first time out of the gate and we are operating on a shoestring, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide you with much more than a lot of fun and the rewarding feeling of being part of something wonderful. We know one thing, we are grateful to our volunteers, and we won't be successful without you! The more successful we are, the better we'll be able to provide for volunteers in future years. If you would like to join our volunteer team, contact Arizona BurroCross or the Superior Arizona Chamber at http://www.superiorarizonachamber.org
WITHDRAWL POLICY
ALL ENTRIES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERRABLE, & DO NOT ROLL OVER
Contestants may be granted a partial refund (less costs incurred) under very limited extenuating circumstances, and those will be addressed in writing, with appropriate documentation, on a case by case basis by the Race Director via azburros@gmail.com after the event date.
BURRO SUBSTITUTIONS
Burros may be switched out with prior approval of the Race Director up to and including the day before the day the race starts. Contestants must vet-in with the burro they plan to run with. No burro substitutions will be permitted once the burro has passed the pre-race vet check.
We understand that issues arise at the last minute that can prevent a BurroCross team from arriving at the start line. Since the costs associated with planning an event of this nature are incurred early on in the planning timeline, this policy represents our best efforts to make reasonable accommodation within the unavoidable planning constraints of an event of this nature.
NOTICE
The Superior Arizona Chamber of Commerce owns the event known as The Superior Burro Run and all rights and proceeds associated with marketing and sponsorships for the event. Event sponsorships, vendor permits, and any other type of fundraising activities associated with this event are administered at the sole discretion of the Superior Arizona Chamber of Commerce. Wylde, LLC solely owns all creative and intellectual property associated with The Superior Burro Run and Arizona BurroCross and the sport of BurroCross, including all written materials, logos, permit application, mapping, designs, and data. Any use of these trademarked (TM in progress) and copyrighted materials must have prior expressed written consent of Wylde, LLC.
Event's current local time: 7:06 PM MT
