West Virginia’s Dan Green and Colorado’s Rachel Entrekin won the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, in the Cocodona 250 Wednesday. They each set new records for the ultrarunning event now in its fifth year.
Green finished at 58 hours, 47 minutes and 18 seconds, more than an hour ahead of the previous course record set last year. The 28-year-old Green had never competed in the event, which was longer and more difficult than in years past at 256 miles. He had also never before taken part in a race longer than 100 miles.
Green arrived at the finish line in downtown Flagstaff’s Heritage Square at about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday greeted by a throng of fans and fellow runners. He was accompanied by his brother, Fred, who also acted as his pacer, and was promptly handed a Coors Light upon finishing.
Meanwhile, defending women’s champ Rachel Entrekin again won her division Wednesday evening, also setting a new record of 63 hours, 58 minutes and 15 seconds. The 33-year-old shaved nearly 10 hours off her winning time from 2024 and is the only two-time winner of the Cocodona.
South Africa’s Ryan Sandes took second place in the men’s division at a little more than 61 hours and 2024 winner, Haroldas Subteras from Haines, Alaska, finished fifth overall.
Throughout this year’s Cocodona, runners have battled mud, rain and snow, which was a contrast to last year’s hot and dry conditions. The final stretch of the event takes contestants up and over the snow-and-mud-covered Mt. Elden in Flagstaff, topping out at 9,300 feet with a precarious descent down the steep Elden Lookout Trail.
The 256-mile ultrarunning event began in Black Canyon City Monday morning and takes contestants through rugged terrain over Mingus Mountain and through Sedona, the Verde Valley and the Mogollon Rim.
As of Thursday morning, more than 480 runners were still on the course, competing in the 250 along with other distances, and more than 50 people had dropped out. They have until Saturday morning to finish.
