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Gallery

Photos: Dozens of Durango’s service workers paddle for glory in Battle of the Animas

Shane Benjamin

Herald Staff Writer

Tuesday, Jun 3, 2025 2:28 PM MT

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Taco Libre takes an early lead in Tuesday’s Battle of the Animas, which is a race among dozens of employees from Durango’s service industry – including shops, hotels and restaurants. The event, in its 21st year, is hosted by Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours. Teams paddle from 32nd Street to Santa Rita Park to see who can make it down river first. This year’s winners were from Taco Libre, who were dressed as Minions. After the race, participants were invited to a barbecue at Steamworks Brewing Co. (Shane Benjamin/Durango Herald)
Taco Libre takes an early lead in Tuesday’s Battle of the Animas, which is a race among dozens of employees from Durango’s service industry – including shops, hotels and restaurants. The event, in its 21st year, is hosted by Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours. Teams paddle from 32nd Street to Santa Rita Park to see who can make it down river first. This year’s winners were from Taco Libre, who were dressed as Minions. After the race, participants were invited to a barbecue at Steamworks Brewing Co. (Shane Benjamin/Durango Herald)cca
Dozens of employees from Durango’s service industry, including shops, hotels and restaurants, raced head-to-head in this year’s Battle of the Animas on Tuesday. The event, in its 21st year, is hosted by Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours. Teams paddle from 32nd Street to Santa Rita Park to see who can make it down the river first. This year, the winners were employees from Taco Libre, who were dressed as Minions. After the race, employees were invited to a barbecue at Steamworks Brewing Co. (Shane Benjamin/Durango Herald)
Dozens of employees from Durango’s service industry, including shops, hotels and restaurants, raced head-to-head in this year’s Battle of the Animas on Tuesday. The event, in its 21st year, is hosted by Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours. Teams paddle from 32nd Street to Santa Rita Park to see who can make it down the river first. This year, the winners were employees from Taco Libre, who were dressed as Minions. After the race, employees were invited to a barbecue at Steamworks Brewing Co. (Shane Benjamin/Durango Herald)cca
A race officiator demonstrates how he will signal the start of the Battle of the Animas. (Shane Benjamin/Durango Herald)
A race officiator demonstrates how he will signal the start of the Battle of the Animas. (Shane Benjamin/Durango Herald)cca
A team gives a paddle high-five at the start of the Battle of the Animas on Tuesday. (Shane Benjamin/Durango Herald)
A team gives a paddle high-five at the start of the Battle of the Animas on Tuesday. (Shane Benjamin/Durango Herald)cca
A team gets its photo taken moments before the start of this year’s Battle of the Animas. (Shane Benjamin/Durango Herald)
A team gets its photo taken moments before the start of this year’s Battle of the Animas. (Shane Benjamin/Durango Herald)cca
Taco Libre took an early lead and never lost it. They are seen here coming through the 15th Street bridge tunnels. (Shane Benjamin/Durango Herald)
Taco Libre took an early lead and never lost it. They are seen here coming through the 15th Street bridge tunnels. (Shane Benjamin/Durango Herald)cca
Taco Libre took an early lead and never lost it. They are seen here after coming through the 15th Street bridge tunnels. (Shane Benjamin/Durango Herald) (Shane Benjamin/Durango Herald)
Taco Libre took an early lead and never lost it. They are seen here after coming through the 15th Street bridge tunnels. (Shane Benjamin/Durango Herald) (Shane Benjamin/Durango Herald)cca

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