Cocodona: 250 Miles Across Deserts, Through Mountains and Into Madness
By Corinne Shalvoy
The Feed
When we think of endurance races, our minds might go to the track mile, the marathon, or perhaps an Ironman. But a new category of ultra-distance events is redefining what it means to push the limits of human endurance: the 200+ miler.
50 miles is far. 100 miles is very far. And now a new category of ultra-distance events is redefining what it means to push the limits of human endurance: the 200+ miler. Known to trail runners as “200s.” These events are exploding in popularity drawing curiosity, awe, and a well deserved share of disbelief.
The first person to dominate the 200+ mile race was The Feed’s High Performance Team athlete Courtney Dauwalter. She won the Moab 240, beating every other competitor by over 10 hours.
On May 5th Dauwalter will start the Cocodona 250: A point-to-point 250-mile footrace across Arizona starting north of Phoenix and ending in downtown Flagstaff’s Heritage Square.
Runners have 125 hours (or 5 days) to get to the finish line.
The Route:
The first 50k runners climb out of the desert, experiencing over 10,00 feet of elevation gain in the 100°F heat. Next comes a traverse across the rugged terrain of Sedona’s red rock canyons followed by the Bradshaw Mountains and then into the historic mining towns of Crown King, Prescott, and Jerome, before a final soul-crushing climb up Mt. Elden in freezing, sometimes snowy, temperatures.
How To Survive Cocodona 250:
Aid Stations. There are 21 aid stations and 4 water-only stops along the route. This makes staying hydrated and fueled a sport of its own.
Ultras require carbs and electrolytes. These mega ultras require more electrolytes, more carbs, and also complex carbs, protein, and often easy to digest ketones, like Ketone IQ with Caffeine for energy, focus and to help muscles recover while still in motion. Dauwalter relies heavily on Tailwind’s Endurance Fuel and its High-Carb Drink Mix to deliver a hefty dose of sodium and carbs. Other easy-to-digest complex carbs with added protein like Podium’s Protein Stroopwafels can help sustain runners for miles.
FAQs:
How fast can someone do this? The 2024 winner crossed the finish line in 59 hours, 50 minutes, and 55 seconds. AKA: just under two and a half days, with almost no sleep.
Do people sleep? Some athletes get multiple hours of rest at night; others nap for 20 minutes total over several days. Sleep happens at aid stations, in crew vans, on the trail… even in nearby hotels (you have to leave your timing chip on the course).
Do people stop? All the time. Recovery breaks, shoe changes, fueling, medical attention, stopping is essential.
Can I watch this? Yes there’s non-stop coverage, drone footage, on-course interviews, follow-cams, and live commentary.
Tune-in, count the miles and the calories consumed as you watch what it looks like to run for five days straight, pushing past pain, suffering and the limites of what humans can endure.
This year, The Feed is proud to support the journeys of Courtney Dauwalter, Jeff Garmire, Randi Zuckerberg, and Dan Green at the 2025 Cocodona 250. Wish them luck!
Corinne Shalvoy is a member of the Aravaipa Racing Team, finisher of over 40 trail races and ultramarathons, The Feed employee, mother of two, and self-proclaimed ultra-running super fan. She will be back at Cocodona 250 for her 3rd year in a row of multi-day race commentary as well as supporting The Feed athletes and sharing the stories of many of the Cocodona 250 racers.