A participant in the Cocodona 250 ultramarathon in Arizona has died after suffering a serious medical emergency, race organisers confirmed on Tuesday.
In a statement posted on Instagram, organisers said the runner experienced a medical emergency during the 253-mile (407km) race, which began on Monday and is scheduled to conclude on Saturday. They added: 'Out of respect for the runner's family and loved ones, we are not sharing additional personal details at this time.'
The race, organised by Aravaipa Running, has been held annually since 2021. It starts in Black Canyon City, about 20 miles north of Phoenix, and finishes in Flagstaff. The course includes an estimated 38,791ft (11,823 metres) of elevation gain and reaches a high point of 9,241ft (2,817 metres) outside Flagstaff. Nearly 400 participants were listed on the race tracker.
Organisers said the event would continue in the runner's honour, asking participants and crew 'to carry the memory of this runner with you on the trail'. Last year's winners, Dan Green and Rachel Entrekin, both set course records. Entrekin is competing again this year and was leading after 48 hours, attempting to become the first woman to finish first overall.
The incident follows a fatality in 2025 during a 102-mile race in Colorado, and a 2021 tragedy in China where 21 runners died during a 62-mile ultramarathon due to freezing conditions, raising ongoing safety concerns in the sport.
