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  • May 24, 2021 5 min read 101 Comments

    250 miles in central Arizona. In the heat of day. In the dark of the night.

    250 miles of constant forward motion that sometimes feels motionless.

    250 miles of grit and pain and despair and elation, to the ultimate of elation all the way to the finish line.

    250 miles.

    On May 3, founder of Aravaipa Running events, Jamil Coury was able to hold the event of his ultrarunning dreams: a 250 mile race through the heart of central Arizona, giving 173 runners the chance at completing what many deem to be the unthinkable.

    Runners leaving the start line of the Aravaipa Cocodona 250 ultra marathon
    Getting things going before sun up. - P.C. Howie Stern

    The race is called the Cocodona 250, and according to an interview given to Satisfyrunning.com, Coury spoke about why he put on this event. “...Cocodona for me is a celebration of my home state and tying together all of these awesome, historic towns across central Arizona and then connecting all the landscapes in between,” he said in the interview. “We wanted to include as many towns as we could and really embrace the towns … I hope someday everyone in all these towns knows what the race is and look forward to it each year, come out and cheer on all the runners, day or night, and really be proud of their area and be excited about all these athletes coming in from all over the place to come run through their town and across the mountains and canyons that connect all these cities together.”

    The interview was given prior to the event, and as the race unfolded, that is exactly what he and his staff were able to accomplish — just ask first place finisher, Maggie Guterl. I am really grateful for the opportunity to have been able to participate in the inaugural Cocodona 250,” Guterl said. “At no point in the race did I ever consider quitting; it was too special of an opportunity.”

    Maggie Guterl at finish line of Aravaipa Cocodona 250 ultra marathon
    A smile at the finish line says it all! - P.C. Howie Stern

    The opportunity to race the inaugural event came at the coattails of Guterl’s DNF at the infamous Barkley Marathons this past March. And according to Guterl, it was her training for Barkley that helped her transition well going into Cocodona. In fact, she wanted to run Cocodona even before her Barkley attempt, but was afraid that the races would be too close together. “I trained for Barkley all winter, spending many long hours on my feet with lots of vert training,” Guterl said. “After the race was all said and done, I had been out on the Barkley course for 28 hours covering only 52 miles but 28,000 feet of gain.

    “Cocodona sounded like a fun adventure although I knew it was rather close to the Barkley Marathons. I decided that if Barkley wasn't all I had hoped to achieve, and if I wasn't wrecked from my Barkley effort, then I would give Cocodona a shot. Barkley won this year again, so I found myself on the start line of this inaugural Cocodona among a few other Barkers who had failed as well.”

    Following her Barkley attempt, Guterl took a week off, then focused her efforts toward running on lower desert trails near her hometown of Durango, Colorado to see if she was up for the challenge of the Arizona desert. She also had a previous 200-mile finish under her belt to draw confidence from, but said that nothing could really prepare her for what she would face at Cocodona.

    View of the Sedona Valley where the Cocodona 250 traverses
    Iconic views are a reward for the miles logged. - P.C. Howie Stern

    “Back in 2019, I covered 250 miles in 60 hours at Bigs Backyard which is a totally different format than Cocodona,” she recalled. “You run one 4.1667 mile loop every hour on the hour until everyone gives up. … It is super hard to compare Cocodona, so I really felt like a newbie with no experience going into this race. I figured that this course couldn't be covered in 60 hours, at least not by me, and that I would enter uncharted territory. That was exciting and I definitely hit uncharted territory.”

    That uncharted territory would include severe dehydration early on in the race. “One of my lowest lows was getting to Crown King at mile 37, she recalled. “I’m pretty sure everyone suffered big time in that 24 miles section after the first aid station where we climbed 8000 feet in what felt like 110 degrees. I ran out of all fluids 2.5 hours from the aid station. I carried all Tailwind which is my main fuel source and ran on fumes. It took until nightfall and freezing temps at 7400 feet at Kamp Kipa to recover from that.”

    Maggie Guterl Grimacing during the Cocodona 250 ultra marathon
    One of Maggie's faces that seems to say, "uncharted territory." - P.C. Howie Stern

    But it wasn’t just the heat, but the dark of night that caused her to have to dig deep. “Going into the third night and during the third night was really hard,” she said. “Staying awake was tough and that was the uncharted territory I was talking about.” Guterl spoke about one of her pacers bringing a light that changed everything. “All my pacers came prepared with their Kogalla lights, and it was amazing!” she said. “I don’t own one, but it was like night and day (pun intended). I will definitely be getting one in the future.”

    While having lights to light up the night was what helped Guterl get through some of her lowest lows on the course, it was having the natural light from the rising and setting each day that gave her something to look forward to and continue on. “I loved the sunrise because it meant a new day and some daylight to wake me up, and the sunsets meant relief from the heat,” she said. “Seeing the sun come and go was also beautiful.”

    Another high was meeting her crew and picking up her pacers at the aid stations. One pacer was 2019 UTMB Champion Courtney Dauwalter who helped her to the finish line as the first place female finisher in a time of 3 days, 13 hours, 30 minutes and 38 seconds. “The finish line was the most memorable, epic finish I have ever experienced,” Guterl said. “I turned to my pacer, Courtney at the sight of the finish line and asked, ‘Is this what UTMB is like?’ because it was so amazing.

    Maggie Guterl holding buckle and first place trophy for Aravaipa Cocodona 250 Ultramarathon
    Proud owner of a new buckle and a first place trophy. - P.C. Howie Stern

    “Coming across the finish line was a great feeling, but also a bit overwhelming because everyone was there cheering,” she recalled. “I really did not expect all that hype. It felt surreal. I remember thinking that everyone who crosses this finish line deserves this greeting and to feel this accomplished and I hope that everyone did. From 72 to 130 hours, everyone on the course ran through the same crazy conditions and accomplished something that no one has ever done. 108 people were the first finishers of the Cocodiona 250, and that is pretty cool!”

    Guterl expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the Cocodona 250, particularly the race staff and her pacers. “I am really grateful for the opportunity to have been able to participate in the inaugural Cocodona 250,” she said. ”It was too special of an opportunity. Aravaipa has put on unique and safe races for a very long time. This was the first year doing this race which has a lot of unknown factors but they handled it really well helping us be as prepared as possible. I really appreciate my crew and pacers and everyone out there who helped us along the way. This is not a solo endeavor. This was the hardest race I have done to date, but at no point in the race did I ever consider quitting.”

    100 Responses

    Nick Nicholson
    Nick Nicholson

    September 09, 2021

    Congrats!

    Jonathan Freeman
    Jonathan Freeman

    June 03, 2021

    Amazing!

    Linda vanSteinvoorn
    Linda vanSteinvoorn

    May 29, 2021

    Wow! Congratulations to all! Somewhere in the back of my mind I tell myself I could maybe do that some day. I honestly can barely fathom it.

    Linda vanSteinvoorn
    Linda vanSteinvoorn

    May 29, 2021

    Wow! Congratulations to all! Somewhere in the back of my mind I tell myself I could maybe do that some day. I honestly can barely fathom it.

    Ramon Rosales Jr
    Ramon Rosales Jr

    May 29, 2021

    Heart of Gold !!! Congrats Maggie

    Jason Silver
    Jason Silver

    May 29, 2021

    It’s always amazing and surprisingly relatable when such accomplished runners have the same kind of struggles and learning moments. I’m glad the trail running community is humble enough to share them.

    Megan Burke
    Megan Burke

    May 29, 2021

    Amazing achievement!

    Katie
    Katie

    May 28, 2021

    Great race Maggie! 👏👏👏 Amazing coverage too!

    David Leeke
    David Leeke

    May 28, 2021

    A huge achievement Maggie. Congratulations on a spectacular achievement.

    Melinda Anne Yelverton
    Melinda Anne Yelverton

    May 28, 2021

    I was completely glued to the live feed. It was so amazing and aspiring to see of all the runners out there giving it their all. Maggie was an absolute beast out there!!

    Jason Boyle
    Jason Boyle

    May 28, 2021

    Amazing story and great accomplishment.

    Katie Webb
    Katie Webb

    May 28, 2021

    Awesome job Maggie! It was fun following your race while pacing and crewing for my dad (a day or so behind you!).

    Kyle Benjamin
    Kyle Benjamin

    May 28, 2021

    Absolutely incredible and inspiring! Prepping for my first 100 but this has me thinking beyond that. Amazing work and accomplishment!

    Jimmy Malthaner
    Jimmy Malthaner

    May 28, 2021

    Congratulations Maggie and congratulations to the other finishers. Uncharted territory, you gotta love it. Pushing ones own personal boundaries is super exciting….

    Ryan VanBrocklin
    Ryan VanBrocklin

    May 28, 2021

    Love the Coverage! Loved watching you race! Go Maggie!

    Ben Weule
    Ben Weule

    May 28, 2021

    It was a very special race to watch and follow. Maggie is so inspirational. Congrats to you Maggie and all participants, crew, vollies, and everyone else connected. Awesome. Thanks Kogalla. Your lights are on my list.

    Iris Cooper
    Iris Cooper

    May 28, 2021

    Absolutely amazing!! Congratulations Maggie and all the other finishers!!

    Bill H
    Bill H

    May 28, 2021

    Congratulations to Maggie and all the other finishers of this inaugural 250 race! Hard to imagine having the endurance, drive and stamina to complete that distance.

    Kristina Fitzpatrick
    Kristina Fitzpatrick

    May 28, 2021

    Maggie, ur a beast ma’am!! And a definite inspiration to all!! You go girl!!

    Judy F Marshak
    Judy F Marshak

    May 28, 2021

    I just want to say you are an inspiration to us all! Amazing feat!

    Renee Calvert
    Renee Calvert

    May 28, 2021

    Way to go Maggie. You continue to inspire me with your toughness. And, I think I’ll need to check out the Kogalla lights, too!

    Renee Calvert
    Renee Calvert

    May 28, 2021

    Way to go Maggie. You continue to inspire me with your toughness. And, I think I’ll need to check out the Kogalla lights, too!

    Marie Swinton
    Marie Swinton

    May 28, 2021

    Congratulations! This is an amazing accomplishment. I can’t even imagine being part of such an endurance race. The mental and physical strength you exemplified is unspeakable. I am impressed. Congratulations again!!

    Jerry Tinney
    Jerry Tinney

    May 28, 2021

    What an accomplishment! Congratulations to all the runners

    kade bair
    kade bair

    May 28, 2021

    just a mind blowing accomplishment. Wow.

    Dave
    Dave

    May 28, 2021

    Just when we thought 200 was the “new 100” . . . 250! Tremendous effort!

    Daniel Wagner
    Daniel Wagner

    May 28, 2021

    I did a 12hr run once and decided that I would never do another timed run. Would rather do more miles even if it took over 12 hrs but 250 is more than I would dream of doing

    Sam G
    Sam G

    May 28, 2021

    Big’s Backyard is a monster. People who run these ultras are just different kinds of human.

    Richard Rushka
    Richard Rushka

    May 28, 2021

    I’ve loved following all the coverage and reading all the articles / interviews. What an incredible event! Hope to run it in the next year or two!!

    Sandra Watts
    Sandra Watts

    May 28, 2021

    Great article. Thanks for sharing.

    Tessa
    Tessa

    May 28, 2021

    Such an incredible accomplishment and so inspiring!

    Aaron L
    Aaron L

    May 28, 2021

    What an impressive feat. Running out of fuel like that might break me off, impressive to come back from that

    Rosie B
    Rosie B

    May 28, 2021

    In awe of these incredible athletes!! Congrats Maggie and all the athletes brave enough to dream so BIG! Courage to Start!

    Lynne Day
    Lynne Day

    May 28, 2021

    Congratulations to all the finishers!

    Steve Webb
    Steve Webb

    May 28, 2021

    Great job Maggie, I think I sort of know what you were feeling. I was one of the 108 finishers.

    John Heycock
    John Heycock

    May 28, 2021

    This article is an inspiring and uplifting example of what America and Americans are all about at heart-enduring, helping, and not giving up! We need more daily examples like Maggie to remind us that life is not easy, but overcoming life’s challenges truly defines who we are and what we can be. Maggie you rock!

    Allison
    Allison

    May 28, 2021

    Way to go Maggie! It was so great to follow along

    Robert Blair
    Robert Blair

    May 28, 2021

    Very inspirational

    Chris Biernat
    Chris Biernat

    May 28, 2021

    Huge congratulations to Maggie, the 108 Cocodona 250 finishers, and to all of those who participated in the race! You are all absolute warriors!

    Paul
    Paul

    May 28, 2021

    Thanks for the inspiration!

    Melanie
    Melanie

    May 28, 2021

    Congratulations to Maggie and the other 107 finishers of the Cocodona 250. I do not think I could ever run that far, let alone in the desert.

    Willy
    Willy

    May 28, 2021

    So darn amazing!

    Sharon
    Sharon

    May 28, 2021

    Gotta love the human spirit. What a shining example in Maggie!

    Barbara Kachelski
    Barbara Kachelski

    May 28, 2021

    Congratulations on achieving your goal!

    Adrienne
    Adrienne

    May 28, 2021

    What an inspiration. I’m fairly new to the ultra scene but the human will never stops amazing me. Congrats!

    Isaac
    Isaac

    May 28, 2021

    Such an inspirational story. Looking forward to racing my first ultra!

    Shar Lynn Brodbelt
    Shar Lynn Brodbelt

    May 28, 2021

    Great exhibition of determination and mental fortitude!

    Anj Shaw
    Anj Shaw

    May 27, 2021

    You are one tough cookie, Maggie!

    Jeremy H
    Jeremy H

    May 27, 2021

    Truly an amazing accomplishment of resilience and mental fortitude! So proud of Maggie!

    Karen Look
    Karen Look

    May 27, 2021

    Girl power! Congratulations on your accomplishment.

    TJ Gardner
    TJ Gardner

    May 27, 2021

    Maggie. It was great to see you out there and to hang with your crew as we all hopped aid stations together. You crushed it!! 2022 defending champ?

    Greg Pressler
    Greg Pressler

    May 27, 2021

    Congrats to Maggie and all of the finishers on a great, epic race.

    Wendy Wagner
    Wendy Wagner

    May 27, 2021

    Cocodona sounds like such an amazing challenge — so awed by Maggie and so full of excitement to see how this race develops over the next few years!

    Jean-Jacques Paravisini
    Jean-Jacques Paravisini

    May 27, 2021

    Wow. You have my biggest admiration!

    Annette Greenberg
    Annette Greenberg

    May 27, 2021

    Astounding ! Bada$$ Maggie! I often find myself doubting in my longer runs, but will no longer due to this. True inspiration!

    Thomas Bowling
    Thomas Bowling

    May 27, 2021

    Finishing this race is an amazing accomplishment. So many things can go wrong. Congratulations Maggie! You have a special heart and determination for endurance events!

    Sunnymay
    Sunnymay

    May 27, 2021

    Congratulations on persevering to stay in the race and keep putting your feet forward.

    Christine Sapyta
    Christine Sapyta

    May 27, 2021

    Long distance hiking and running outdoors is so primal! This article is inspiring me to get outdoors.

    Joseph Bearss
    Joseph Bearss

    May 27, 2021

    Can’t wait to come out to crew and pace next year!!! Congrats to all who started!

    René Weis
    René Weis

    May 27, 2021

    Amazing work out there!!! 🔥🔥

    Brian Wirick
    Brian Wirick

    May 27, 2021

    It was pretty rad to track almost all of the race

    Rachel Ridgway
    Rachel Ridgway

    May 27, 2021

    Oh to be a fly buzzing between Maggie and Courtney! The dynamic duo. Congratulations, Maggie!

    Meg
    Meg

    May 27, 2021

    Maggie!! you’re a “Rock Star”!! congrats on an amazing accomplishment!

    Michael Michalak
    Michael Michalak

    May 27, 2021

    Congrats! What an accomplishment! Be proud of yourself – you deserve it!

    Jeff Roden
    Jeff Roden

    May 27, 2021

    Very inspiring. Very impressive accomplishment for all, But the smile at the finish line is e en ,ore impressive.

    Brandon M. Mathews
    Brandon M. Mathews

    May 27, 2021

    Amazing and very inspiring. I hope to toe the lounge at this Epic race as well someday. True grit! Congrats!

    CW
    CW

    May 27, 2021

    I want to do this race next year! Amazing Maggie!

    Jason George
    Jason George

    May 27, 2021

    Hi,
    Maggie you are an absolute great remodel for men and women. 250 miles is a tremendous accomplishment and to get 1st on top of it is extraordinary. I give you 100% props and keep being a roll model for us all.

    Teresa Mayberry
    Teresa Mayberry

    May 27, 2021

    Congratulations, Maggie!

    Tim Speed
    Tim Speed

    May 27, 2021

    Watched the Live Stream of this race and saw the grit, determination, beauty and inspiration. Well Done!

    Norma Joyce  Jenkins
    Norma Joyce Jenkins

    May 27, 2021

    How did you do that??? Hints please!!

    John McClendon
    John McClendon

    May 27, 2021

    Way 2 go Maggie! Hard to believe you won it on the first time out. Just incredible & marvelous. Keep fighting/pushing 4 more achievements!! Congraiulatons once again, Maggie!!!

    Stephanie Mckenna
    Stephanie Mckenna

    May 27, 2021

    What an amazing accomplishment! To think training for the Barkley transitioned into this race is insane. All the props there are girl!!!

    Linda Hurley
    Linda Hurley

    May 27, 2021

    Congratulations! You are truly inspiring!

    Danielle Waterman
    Danielle Waterman

    May 27, 2021

    Awesome job Maggie.

    Danielle Waterman
    Danielle Waterman

    May 27, 2021

    Awesome job Maggie.

    Nicola G
    Nicola G

    May 27, 2021

    Such an amazing achievement of true grit, determination and a little bit of craziness = #BeastMode

    Bianca
    Bianca

    May 27, 2021

    I watched so much of the livestream and truly enjoyed the dedication all of those runners had. I watched as she came down from Buffalo Park, watched her run through the roads I took for 20 years, and when she crossed the finish I was brought to tears. What a beautiful accomplishment!

    David Hourcade
    David Hourcade

    May 27, 2021

    I think getting all the towns involved was a brilliant idea that will make the race a fixture in peoples schedules for many years to come.

    Lindsay
    Lindsay

    May 27, 2021

    Love it! What an amazing race and a great accomplishment!

    Jesse C Crandall Jr
    Jesse C Crandall Jr

    May 27, 2021

    Maggie you showed with your determination & grit what it means to dig deep…Deeper than you ever have…You truly are Wonder Woman !! 😎🙌👊 Congratulations!🎈

    Sarah Booth
    Sarah Booth

    May 27, 2021

    What an amazing accomplishment on a difficult course!

    Rory A.
    Rory A.

    May 27, 2021

    So awesome! Congrats on a huge accomplishment!

    Jesse C Crandall Jr
    Jesse C Crandall Jr

    May 27, 2021

    Maggie you showed with your determination & grit what it means to dig deep…Deeper than you ever have…You truly are Wonder Woman !! 😎🙌👊 Congratulations!🎈

    Brent Cassady
    Brent Cassady

    May 27, 2021

    So inspiring Maggie! Crushing it!

    Kathy L
    Kathy L

    May 27, 2021

    maggie does the beast coast proud!! it was so fun to follow along on the live stream/tracker!

    Monika Chao
    Monika Chao

    May 27, 2021

    Very sick!! Great work on such an intimidating mileage.

    Andre Lee
    Andre Lee

    May 27, 2021

    Awesomeness! Congrats to the first female from the last finisher, me! Mr. DFL 🤙🏾😎🤙🏾

    Chris Repar
    Chris Repar

    May 27, 2021

    Awesome work! My goal is one day to complete a 200 !!

    Eric Fronczek
    Eric Fronczek

    May 27, 2021

    Way to go Maggie!

    Jarrod E Blossom
    Jarrod E Blossom

    May 27, 2021

    Simply amazing!

    Caroline
    Caroline

    May 27, 2021

    Amazing job to all finishers. So many great stories of deep strength!

    Ketal Vyas
    Ketal Vyas

    May 27, 2021

    Amazing

    David Strawser
    David Strawser

    May 27, 2021

    Awesome job we can only hope to aspire to be like you!

    Kevin Meeker
    Kevin Meeker

    May 27, 2021

    Congratulations Maggie Guterl. I can’t even begin to comprehend the challenges you and the rest of the runners faced during this race

    Michael Hee
    Michael Hee

    May 27, 2021

    Wow , that’s totally awesome ! I can’t even imagine that feeling !

    Clare E
    Clare E

    May 27, 2021

    The live stream Cocodona offered was amazing to be able to follow Maggie and the other runners through this difficult course. Great job Maggie!

    Roberta Farley
    Roberta Farley

    May 27, 2021

    Wow, what an amazing accomplishment. Reading your story is very inspiring, you really needed to dig deep on that race. Bravo.

    Jeremy Sievers
    Jeremy Sievers

    May 27, 2021

    I love working out and walking.

    Yvonne Ortiz
    Yvonne Ortiz

    May 27, 2021

    Walking is a natural recreation for a person. truly inspirational.

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