Cocodona 250 Race Report (Santa's perspective from running 200+ miles in the Arizona Desert)
Cocodona 250 was everything that it was chalked up to be, and much much more. It consisted of 255+ miles, 40,000+ feet climbing, and temperatures cresting three digits frequently. The logistical hiccups associated with it being an inaugural race, including the lack of real food at aid stations and missing course markings, simply added to the challenge. Start Line Arriving late on Saturday the 1 st , we spent most of the day before the race reevaluating drop bags, purchasing last-minute necessities, and analyzing time charts. With COVID protocols, there was no pre-race meeting. Instead, my crew and I arrived at race check-in on Sunday with minimal fanfare to pick my race bibs (yes, two bibs!), drop off drop bags, and catch up with some friends and fellow Californians (Bruce Nguyen and Roger Pynappel). On Monday, May 3 rd , at 5:40 AM, I began my journey along with 29 other crazies (I was in the 5 th wave) in Black Canyon City, AZ. Before starting, I received my SPOT tracker, emptie...