rachel entrekin led the Cocodona 250 through 48 hours as organizers said a runner died Tuesday after a serious medical emergency in Arizona. The 253-mile race started Monday and is scheduled to continue through Saturday.
Cocodona 250 in Arizona
Organizers said the participant died during the endurance race and asked runners and crew to carry the memory of the runner with them on the trail. They also said they would continue the race in the runner’s honor.
The Cocodona 250 has been held annually since 2021 and runs from Black Canyon City to Flagstaff. The course covers an estimated 38,791ft of elevation gain and reaches a high point of 9,241ft outside Flagstaff.
Rachel Entrekin and the field
The race tracker listed nearly 400 participants when the death occurred. Entrekin was the top runner on the women’s side in last year’s race in 63:50:55, a course record, and Dan Green won in 58 hours 47 minutes 18 seconds.
Entrekin is attempting to become the first woman to finish first overall, adding another layer to a race already defined by its length and elevation. That goal now sits beside the race’s response to the death, which organizers addressed in an Instagram statement.
“Out of respect for the runner’s family and loved ones, we are not sharing additional personal details at this time,” organizers said. “Our team is supporting those directly involved and will share more only when appropriate.” They also said, “Please keep the runner’s family, friends, fellow runners, volunteers, and first responders in your thoughts. We are deeply grateful to this beautiful community.”
Runner’s family and crew
For runners still on the course, the race continues under the same schedule while organizers ask them to remember the runner during the event. The field still includes athletes pushing through the Black Canyon City-to-Flagstaff route, but the death has become the central fact shaping the rest of the week.
