In an awfully unhappy be aware on their social media, the 2026 Cocodona 250 Mile race group has introduced {that a} runner handed away on Tuesday, Could 5, in the course of the occasion.
Particulars are restricted, however the race group has mentioned that an unknown medical emergency occurred to a participant in the course of the race. Right now, the race group notes that it doesn’t plan to launch the runner’s title to respect their privateness.
The beginning of the 2026 Cocodona 250 Mile on Monday, Could 4. Picture: Scott Rokis
“We’re deeply saddened to share {that a} participant skilled a critical medical emergency at this time in the course of the occasion and has handed away. The runner’s crew and household have been notified,” reads the Could 5 social media put up.
The Cocodona 250 Mile is a 253-mile race happening within the Arizona desert and mountains, stretching between Black Canyon Metropolis and Flagstaff. The 2026 version started on Monday, Could 4, and ends on Saturday, Could 9. Runners have 125 hours to cowl the course, which has over 38,000 toes of climbing, and covers a mix of singletrack, doubletrack, some technical sections, and a little bit of tarmac across the cities by which it passes. This yr’s race had on the order of 400 individuals in its 250-mile occasion, and plenty of extra throughout the occasion’s 5 races, starting from 40 to 250 miles, in the course of the week-long competition. It isn’t clear from the announcement which race the runner was taking part in.
The desert and mountains of Arizona play host to the Cocodona 250 Mile, which is happening for the sixth time in 2026. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
The group says the race will proceed in honor of the fallen runner. Its announcement reads: “We ask all individuals and crew to hold the reminiscence of this runner with you on the path.”
That is an evolving story, and we’ll replace this text ought to extra data develop into obtainable.
iRunFar extends its condolences to all who’re affected by this tragedy.
