Liability:
     No city, private-property owners along the course, sponsoring businesses, governmental agencies, persons or organizations will be responsible in case of accident or injury to contestants. Each entrant must sign a waiver and/or release of responsibility.
 
Burro: 
   The following is the definition of a burro and is to be used in selecting a burro. The word burro comes from the Spanish word meaning donkey. A donkey is defined as being an ass. They have chestnuts on the forelegs only, while other animals of the same species, such as mules or horses, have them on hind and forelegs. The tail has no hair, except on its lower part, which has a brush. A registered veterinarian shall have the authority to disqualify any contestant and animal that does not match the above description, or whose animal is sick, doped, injured, or mistreated. The veterinarian will check the animal before and after the race. Winning burros can be held in a designated area by the race committee for 30 minutes for checking by the veterinarian.
All runners must keep their burros under control. This is especially true for runners with jacks. Any burro (jacks particularly) that interferes with another runner or burro may be disqualified.
 
Equipment:
     Each burro will be required to be equipped with a regulation pack saddle packed with prospector's paraphernalia and must include a pick, shovel, and gold pan.  There shall be no minimum weight requirement for burros measuring 40 inches or less at the shoulder.  For all others the combined weight of the pack saddle and paraphernalia shall be a minimum of 33 pounds.
   It is strongly recommended that all participants carry at least one quart of water, food (an energy bar), and clothing (such as a windbreaker). Water, food and clothing worn during the race shall not be part of the 33 pounds. This weight will be checked at the start and finish of the race. Loss of all or part of the pack and paraphernalia will eliminate the contestant. 
     The burro will be led by a halter to which is attached a rope not to exceed 15 feet in length. This rope may be single knotted or looped. It is recommended that the rope be one inch-diameter or larger. No other rope or strap may be attached to either the burro or the saddle. A regulation halter must be used.
     Jack chains may be used only if used with a pressure-release technique. (A jack chain is a chain or strap which is used to apply pressure over the muzzle, under the chin, or through the mouth.)  Any racer coming across the finish line with nose and/or chin injuries on the animal resulting from the jack chain will be disqualified.
 
Cruelty: 
     Any contestant mistreating his animal may be disqualified. No needles, electric prods, narcotics, clubs or whips, other than the halter rope, may be used.

Course:
   The race route must be followed. It will be marked by signs, people, or aid stations. Do not cut across switchbacks. Any burro leaving the course must be returned to the course without shortening the distance of the course.  Any runner becoming separated from their burro (i.e., burro and runner are no longer racing as a connected team or unit) must return to the place they became separated before continuing the race. Failure to follow these rules will result in disqualification.
 
Team: 
     Contestant and burro starting the race must remain a team throughout the contest. No assistants will be allowed to accompany any team.

Winning Team: 
   The winning combination consists of man, or woman, and burro which must cross the finish line as a unit. The man or woman may be leading or following the burro but the burro's nose crossing the finish line first constitutes the winner.

No Riding:
   The runner may push, pull, drag or carry the burro. The contestant shall at no time progress except under his own power.

Appeals:
   Should a contestant be disqualified by a race official, he may continue the race (a second offense will definitely put him off the trail) and he may appeal his grievance to the race director. The decisions of the race director will be final.

Ties:
   In the event of a tie, the prize money involved, if any, will equally divided by the contestants involved.

Firearms:
   Carrying and use of firearms will not be permitted.