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Abigail Lock

Broken Arrow Skyrace

Summary

A weekend of serious type 2 trail racing fun! Broken Arrow Skyrace offers 3 premier events--the VK, 46K, and 23K--and an 18K, 11K, and iron face challenge. Although the elite field is deep, the race prioritizes inclusivity & celebrates ALL finishers!

Posted Jun 27, 2024

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Pros

Welcoming to all abilities with generous cut-offs
Great swag
Clearly marked course=fast times!
Awesome aid stations and volunteers
6 distances plus a kid's race
Festival area with a variety of activities/entertainment
Generous prize money for the VK, 46K, and 23K (5 deep)
Ring das bell at the finish line!

Cons

Somewhat high-altitude (tops out at 9K ft above sea level), so consider that when signing up/training
Sells out FAST!

I can't say enough great things about this event! It was my first time at Broken Arrow and I already can't wait to go back next year! There aren't any true "cons" in my opinion, but I would advise anyone who wants to race these events to be prepared for moderate altitude and plenty of long climbs. If you have interest in racing at Broken Arrow--particularly in any of the three premier distances, it sells out within minutes of going live, so be prepared to make your entry purchases right away.

The Courses

The VK course climbs approximately 3000ft up from the village to Washeshu in a bit over 3 miles.

The 23K is a non-repetitive looped course that climbs 4500ft over the 14.26 miles. The 46K course is two loops of the 23K.

Thanks to the awesome course marking, it's very clear where you should be for each race. They use color coded flags to indicate which course you're on, but there's not too much overlap with other distances since the race directors have put a lot of thought into scheduling the events strategically.

The weekend kicks off with the VK on Friday. On Saturday, the 46K gets the main stage. On Sunday, it's time for the 23K. Many racers double up and run the VK and 23K to allow one day of recovery between races. The Triple Crown offers runners the opportunity to race all three premiere distances!

The Swag

Every finisher got a hat and wooden carved medallion with the distance engraved. The goodie bags included nutrition product samples. The 46Kers received drop bags and towels.

The race shirts for the VK were high end Salomon tech shirts. The VKers also each recieved a Salomon handheld.

There are also age group awards for each race.

The swag alone is enough to justify the entry fees. The goodie bags they put together for each racer is impressive to say the least. To top it off, every finisher of the 23K and 46K gets a medallion and a Boco hat after they "ring das bell" and cross the finish line.

Community Environment

The race photos are not included, but they are high-quality! I paid $15 for each download.

Perhaps the best part of Broken Arrow is the acknowledgment of EVERY runner for their courageous effort. From the elites to the very last finisher, everyone is cheered for and celebrated.

Whether you're curious about running your very first trail race or if you're an experienced runner seeking to explore your potential, this event is a one-of-a-kind experience that I'd recommend to everyone.