Superior Hee-Haw Hustle

Races: 3-mile Fun Run (3 Miles) · 6-mile Short Course (6.2 Miles) · 13-mile Long Course (17 Miles)

Type: Run

Please secure a burro prior to registering! Burro rental is a separate fee, not included with race registration.

The Superior Hee-Haw Hustle pack burro race is proudly presented by:

Forever Home Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary

Town of Superior

Superior Arizona Chamber of Commerce

Held in Superior, Arizona, the Hee-Haw Hustle Pack Burro Race celebrates a town rich in mining history and western heritage. Racing teams consisting of one human and one burro may choose from 3, 6 or 13 mile courses, racing down Superior's historic Main Street and into the surrounding Tonto National Forest. Pack burro racing honors the burros that were once essential to mining, carrying supplies through rugged terrain and becoming a lasting symbol of Superior's history.

Race Rules

General Rules

RACERS MUST SECURE A BURRO PRIOR TO REGISTERING! If you don’t own a burro, rental burros may be available. Burro rentals are an additional fee and separate from the race entry. Visit the race website for a list of burro rental companies and individuals renting burros.

• No solo runners allowed! Pack burro racing is a team sport, 1 human runner & 1 burro.
• Only donkeys/burros (Spanish for donkey) are allowed! No other equines are permitted to race, no horses, no hybrids (mules, hinnies, zedonks, etc.) no exceptions.
• No riding! This is an in-hand trail race.
• Donkeys must be sound, healthy and fit to race. Do not sign up for a race that you or your burro are not fit enough to complete.
• No mistreatment of burros!

Race Teams

A pack burro racing team consists of 1 human runner & 1 burro. The runner and burro starting the race must remain a team throughout the race. The runner may push, pull, apply pressure release, or carry their burro across the finish line, but no riding is allowed! No assistants will be allowed to accompany any team. Spectators or anyone outside of the race are not allowed to assist the forward progress of any team. No swapping burros with another runner during the race or both teams will be disqualified. To win, the runner and burro team must cross the finish line as a unit. The runner may be leading or following the burro, but the burro's nose crossing the finish line first, determines the winning team. In the event of a tie, the prize money will be equally divided between the teams involved.

Pack Saddle & Gear

• 3 mile Fun Run - pack saddle optional
• 6 mile Short Course - pack saddle optional
• 13 mile Long Course - To qualify for prizes, the burro must be equipped with a pack saddle carrying a pick, gold pan, and shovel. Pick/shovel combo tools are permitted. There is no minimum weight requirement for the saddle and equipment. If any of these items are missing or get lost on the trail, the runner/burro team will be disqualified (DQ). Hoof boots are recommended for this course.

Halter, Lead Rope & Jack Chains

The donkey must have a halter and lead rope. The halter can be a strap halter or rope halter and should fit the donkey properly so as not interfere with the burro’s eye. The lead rope can be no longer than 15 ft, measured from the end of the rope to the tip of the snap. The lead rope may only be connected to the halter. The lead must be held in the runner's hands and cannot be tied to the runner or a harness/belt worn by the runner. Jack/Stud chains may be used with a pressure-release technique, either over the muzzle or under the chin. Any racer coming across the finish line with injuries on their burro, resulting from the jack/stud chain may be disqualified. No needles, electric prods, clubs, whips or other tools besides the halter, lead rope and stud/jack chain may be used during the race.

Control of Burro

All runners must keep their burro under control, stay on the designated trails, not divert off course or cut switchbacks. On single-track trail, runner/burro teams can pass as long as they remain near the trail's edge if slower teams are blocking the course or obstructing the advancement of another team. If a runne…