A participant in the 2026 Cocodona 250 ultramarathon died after experiencing a medical emergency during the race, organizers confirmed in a statement issued late that evening.
The runner has not been publicly identified. Organizers said the runner’s family and crew had been notified.
In a statement delivered on the race’s Instagram, Cocodona 250 organizers asked the public to respect the runner’s family while they gathered information.
“Out of respect for their family and loved ones, we are not sharing additional personal details at this time, but our team is supporting those directly involved and will share more only if and when appropriate,” the statement said.
Organizers also confirmed that the race would not be stopped.
“The race is continuing on, but now in the runner’s honor,” the statement read. “We ask all participants and crew to carry the memory of this runner with you on the trails, the rest of this week and into the future.”
Organizers have asked the community to keep the runner’s family, friends, fellow competitors, volunteers and first responders in their thoughts, and thanked the broader ultrarunning community for its support.
Organizers have not disclosed the cause of the medical emergency, where on the course it occurred, or at what point in the race it took place.
The Cocodona 250 is a single-stage ultramarathon that covers roughly 250 miles across the Arizona high country, running from the Sonoran Desert near Black Canyon City to Flagstaff. The course climbs through several mountain ranges and includes tens of thousands of feet of elevation gain. Most finishers complete the route in between 50 and 125 hours, running through multiple days and nights with limited sleep.
The race, founded by Aravaipa Running, held its first edition in 2021 and has become one of the most prominent fixed-course ultramarathons in North America. The 2026 edition began earlier this week and is scheduled to conclude in Flagstaff later in the week.
So sad 🙁