Sarah Ostaszewski and Michael McKnight Win Cocodona 250
This article originally appeared on Trail Runner
Michael McKnight, from Smithfield, Utah, won the Cocodona 250. Coming from the 62nd position at mile 78, McKnight finished with a time of 69 hours and 41 minutes. For McKnight, this marks the culmination of a three-year journey for McKnight. McKnight DNFed the race in his first year and was the runner-up last year.
“This is the hardest course I’ve ever done,” says McKnight. “For some reason, it always brings the stupid out of me. The thing I learned the most from this, especially from other races that are multi-day, is that things can change so fast, in a good way. When things are going bad, just give yourself some time. Take a nap. Eat some food, and things might change.”
Josh Perry and Michael Greer rounded out the top three.
Sarah Ostaszewki, of Flagstaff, Arizona, was the first female finisher. Elated by her effort, Ostaszewski touched on her race, "I’m glad I was able to pull off. This is my third time racing this. It's way faster than I expected.” When asked about the challenges of descending from Mt. Elden, she shared her experience of the treacherous conditions, saying, "It was freezing cold, super windy. I've never been on Eldon like that. There's a lot of snow."
Ostaszewski has secured a spot in the top three for three consecutive years. She finished thirteenth overall in 2022 and twenty-second in the inaugural year.
Aliza Lapierre finished second in the women’s race.
194 runners started the race.
The Cocodona 250 is unparalleled for runners to experience the diverse and stunning landscapes that make Arizona such a special place. This epic point-to-point journey is truly an extraordinary undertaking spirit's enduring capacity for adventure and exploration.
From Black Canyon City to downtown Flagstaff
The Cocodona 250 is grueling, taking runners through a journey of many of Arizona’s most iconic landscapes. The course covers the Akimel O'odham (Upper Pima), Hohokam, Yavapai Apache, Ndee/Nnee (Western Apache), Jumanos, and Hopitutskwa Indigenous, traditional, and ancestral lands.
Starting surrounded by saguaros in Black Canyon City, the course winds its way up into the Bradshaw Mountains, a region rich in gold mining history, and caps in the charismatic town of Crown King and the Spring Energy aid station. From there, runners traverse more of the intense Bradshaws, summiting Mount Union before the descent into the city of Prescott.
"What I think is so appealing about this race is the point-to-point nature through central Arizona," said Steve Aderholt, race director of the Cocodona 250. "Going through all the different, not only ecosystems and beauty of the landscape but also all the unique features of central Arizona from the tiny mining towns to the mining history of Jerome, to the ranching history and Fain Ranch. You go through all these different zones that are so beautiful, and you get a sense of Arizona that's really unique."
As the course continues, runners battle the winds around the Satisfy Fain Ranch before being treated to the inspiring views of idyllic Sedona's idyllic red rock formations and high desert.
The terrain is ever-changing with each step, also with the challenge intensifies. After leaving Sedona, the course ascends into the cool pines of Flagstaff, culminating in a demanding climb up Mount Elden before the finish in downtown Flagstaff.
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