Runner Dies During 2026 Cocodona 250 Mile

In a very unhappy notice on their social media, the 2026 Cocodona 250 Mile race group has introduced {that a} runner handed away on Tuesday, May 5, throughout the occasion.

Details are restricted, however the race group has stated that an unknown medical emergency occurred to a participant throughout the race. At this time, the race group notes that it doesn’t plan to launch the runner’s identify to respect their privateness.

The begin of the 2026 Cocodona 250 Mile on Monday, May 4. Photo: Scott Rokis

“We are deeply saddened to share that a participant experienced a serious medical emergency today during the event and has passed away. The runner’s crew and family have been notified,” reads the May 5 social media publish.

The Cocodona 250 Mile is a 253-mile race happening within the Arizona desert and mountains, stretching between Black Canyon City and Flagstaff. The 2026 version started on Monday, May 4, and ends on Saturday, May 9. Runners have 125 hours to cowl the course, which has over 38,000 toes of climbing, and covers a combination of singletrack, doubletrack, some technical sections, and a little bit of tarmac across the cities by means of 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, throughout the week-long pageant. It just isn’t clear from the announcement which race the runner was collaborating in.

The desert and mountains of Arizona play host to the Cocodona 250 Mile, which is happening for the sixth time in 2026. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell

The group says the race will proceed in honor of the fallen runner. Its announcement reads: “We ask all participants and crew to carry the memory of this runner with you on the trail.”

This is an evolving story, and we’ll replace this text ought to extra data turn out to be accessible.

iRunFar extends its condolences to all who’re affected by this tragedy.