The Cocodona 250 is deemed one of the ultimate sports of endurance. Over 400km of distance spread across the Arazonian desert, the route is a clinical test in speed, nutrition and grit. This year was no different, with one of their most illustrious starting lines featuring exceptional elite racers from around the globe.
A Cocodona Story for the Ages…
In only four years, the Cocodona 250 has gained notoriety for not only it’s exceptional route featuring over 40,000ft of elevation but it’s incredible team spirit throughout each stage. This year was no different, with each checkpoint having incredible support, especially the famous Whiskey Row which the course is renowned for.
The starting line featured the likes of Courtney Dauwalter, Dan Green, Harold Subertas, Ryan Sandes, 2024 Winter Spine Race winner Jack Scott and 2024 Moab 240 winner Max Jolliffe. Other familiar faces included 2023 Cocodona winners Michael McKnight and Sarah Ostaszewski, Cameron Hanes, Michael Versteeg and Rachel Enterekin.
The 256-mile route takes participants from Black Canyon City to Flagstaff, Arizona, traversing over 12,200m of ascent and is often described as the most ‘diverse’ 200+ mile trail race in America.
Last year’s winner, Harold Subertas, took the lead from the outset, pressing the front runners with phenomenal speed for the beginning of such a hefty race. Courtney Dauwalter was amongst the front runners, a heavy favourite to win the race outright. Courtney took the lead over Harry Subertas, at approximately mile 70 as she flew through the trails leading from Camp W to Whiskey Row.
Courtney surpassed the expectations of even her crew reaching Whiskey Row ( 79 miles) in 14 hours and 40 minutes. She also reached the historic section of downtown Prescott in the daylight—something that has never happened in this race by any frontrunner in the previous four years. At this point she was almost 2 hours ahead of course record place.
A thought for this was the unprecedented conditions as participants were lashed with rain, hail and snow in the desert; some joked was a present from British runner Jack Scott who was a favourite amongst his compatriots on the livestream. Jack Scott travelled amongst the front group including Dan Green, Ryan Sandes and Max Jolliffe.
Dan Green was close behind having stuck close by for the majority of the first day arriving just 10 minutes behind her.
So many people were tracking this first day that the system crashed multiple times, leading everyone to heavily watch the ongoing livestreams supplied by Mountain Outpost.
Unfortunately, as with a race of this magnitude, there was tragedy to be stumbled upon at any time. Front-runners were DNFing, leaving the front pack to grow smaller as the race prgressed. Courtney Dauwalter finished her race at mile 108 after leading the race for nearly 40 miles. While the reason is unknown, her instagram read:
“Well, shoot. Court finished her run this morning at mile 108. She’s doing fine and very thankful for all the cheers both in person and from afar. Thanks for being part of our team! 🙏
“So many incredible runners are out on course, please keep sending cheers and support their way!
“More later, for now 😴😴😴”
Jack Scott was forced to retire after receiving a hamstring injury at mile 52. He nevertheless continued until he medically retired from the race around mile 90. It was around this time that Dan Green would move into first place with 2017 Western States winner Ryan Sandes not too far behind.
Green would set a pace that would open an exceptional gap between him and Sandes, with the final stretch meaning he had 10 miles and a three hour lead on the South African runner.
Dan Green Smashes Cocodona Record
After taking the lead around 100 miles in, Dan Green was out on his own for the rest of the race, showing incredible pace. He even had time to shower at one of the checkpoints before setting out towards the finish line.
Finishing in 58:47:18, Green smashed Subertas’ record set the previous year by almost an hour.
You can watch the documentary showing Dan Green’s exceptional race from the crew below:
Rachel Enterekin takes a second consecutive win
Rachel Enterekin came to play with the big dogs this year. She explained how she was excited to race Courtney during the pre-race interviews on the livestream. She remained in the second female position for the first half of the race, overtaking Courtney around the 100 mile mark.
Following that, she remained strong, pressing a full day’s gap between her and second place Lindsey Dwyer who finished 16 hours behind. Enterekin took 10 hours off her previous 2024 time, coming in at 63:50:55.
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