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Cocodona 250 Records First Fatality, New Course Record

5/7/2026

47 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A woman in her 40s collapsed at the Groom Creek trailhead near Prescott, Arizona, marking the 2026 Cocodona 250’s first fatality.
Race officials said the death was not suspicious and urged participants to honor the runner.
Rachel Entrekin set a new record by finishing the race in 56 hours, 9 minutes and 48 seconds as the competition continued.
Organizers said future races will use a lottery registration system due to the event’s popularity.

History

Historical Context

The Western States 100, first run in 1977 with just 16 entrants, pioneered lottery entry (1981) and later wait-list limits to manage growing demand. That model inspired newer races such as Arizona’s Cocodona 250, whose 2026 edition saw Rachel Entrekin set a 56-hour-9-minute-48-second record while organizers added a lottery and expanded medical crews to protect an expanding ultramarathon community.

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Story summary

A woman in her 40s collapsed at the Groom Creek trailhead near Prescott, Arizona, marking the 2026 Cocodona 250’s first fatality.
Race officials said the death was not suspicious and urged participants to honor the runner.
Rachel Entrekin set a new record by finishing the race in 56 hours, 9 minutes and 48 seconds as the competition continued.
Organizers said future races will use a lottery registration system due to the event’s popularity.

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