A participant in the grueling 250-mile (402-kilometer) Cocodona 250 ultramarathon across northern Arizona died on Tuesday after suffering a medical emergency, according to race organizers and local authorities.
Incident Details
First responders attended to a woman in her 40s who was competing in the race and collapsed at a trailhead in the Groom Creek community south of Prescott, Yavapai County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Paul Wick confirmed on Wednesday.
Cocodona 250 ultramarathon codirector Erika Snyder verified the death but declined to provide further details at the request of the runner's family.
Rarity of Fatalities
Ultramarathons push the limits of human endurance, yet fatalities are extremely uncommon relative to the growing number of participants worldwide. Races are held in extreme environments from Death Valley to the Himalayas.
The Cocodona is among the most challenging ultramarathons in the United States. Its course rises over a mile (1.6 kilometers) in elevation twice and passes through Sedona, starting in Black Canyon City.
Race Details
This year's event began before dawn on Monday. The overall winner, Rachel Entrekin, completed the race on Wednesday afternoon to a cheering crowd in Flagstaff, setting a course record.
Organizers announced a shift to a lottery registration system next year due to the race's high demand.
Aid stations along the route allow participants to eat, hydrate, and adjust gear, with medical professionals stationed throughout the course, Snyder said. Racers often sleep on the ground during the multi-day event, which can last up to five days.
In 2021, freezing rain and strong winds were linked to the deaths of 21 runners at an ultramarathon in the mountains of northwestern China.
