Lynzi was born with a severe infection that allowed fluid to gradually fill her lungs. She went into respiratory arrest at six weeks old, beginning a cycle of near-death struggles that went on for years. Her heart became so weakened that just living in Colorado, where high altitude makes it harder to breathe, could eventually kill her. So the Dokes immediately sold everything and moved to the flatlands of Missouri, where they spent the next decade paying off their crippling hospital bills and nursing Lynzi back to health.

“In middle school, Lynzi began running cross-country to see if it would strengthen her lungs,” Kelly said. “It made her so much stronger, and she actually got really good at it.” By the time she was ready for high school, Lynzi had recovered enough for the family to move back home to Colorado. During a visit to the dentist, they discovered the hygienist was none other than Barb Dolan, the burro-racing legend. They got to chatting, and soon after, Barb made an extraordinary offer: She was ready to retire from competition, so if Lynzi was up for the challenge, she could race with Barb’s champion burro, Chuggs.

Lynzi was thrilled — until she found herself at the starting line a few months later. Luckily, the Pedretti brothers were there to help. Rick and Roger Pedretti are dairy farmers from Wisconsin who trailer their donkeys more than 1,000 miles every summer to compete as a tribute to their brother, Robert Pedretti. He won the Pack Burro World Championship in 1999, but struggled with depression and ended his own life in 2004. Every year since then, the Pedretti clan has made the pilgrimage to Fairplay.

Image Ms. Doke runs with her burro during a race. Credit... Kelly Doke

“Just stick with us,” the Pedrettis told Lynzi. The brothers stayed by her side for the first 10 miles, until they suspected they might be holding her back. “You got this,” they urged. “Go for it!” With five miles to the finish, Lynzi and Chuggs left the Pedrettis and began moving through the pack. Soon, she was within eyeshot of John Vincent, the three-time champion who was currently in first place.

John wasn’t too surprised that Lynzi was on his heels. For years, women have gone toe-to-toe with male burro racers and often won. Barb Dolan has captured nearly every title on the circuit, including a first place in Leadville at age 54 (finishing a half-hour behind her in second was a man 10 years younger). She and Karen Thorpe owned the 2011 World Championship, with Barb winning the short course and Karen sprinting to win the 29.5-mile-long course by one second.