Desert Rats Trail Running Festival

Desert Rats Trail Running Festival by UTMB has four unique distances, three days of racing and indescribable views of the desert. There is something for every runner. Enjoy views of the Colorado River as you race through flowy singletrack, climb up the mesa, and take in the vastness of the desert.

Join us for 3 days of racing and 4 different distances on the beautiful trails of Fruita, Colorado in 2025. For over two decades this race has brought the whole community together for an epic weekend adventure. Whether you're new to trail or an ultra veteran, you will not want to miss the celebration this April.

Schedule:

10K
Fruita CO, Mack Exit, Hawkeye Trailhead - 17:00
Max Allowed Race Time: 3 Hours

The 10K is a lollipop course with 600’ of elevation gain. It’s the best bang for your buck overlooking the narrow canyons and the Colorado River views.

Start. Runners head out the gently rolling dirt road for a mile until they take a sharp right turn for 0.3mi to the top of the hill. From there, the first Aid Station is visible and racers cross the cattle guard, staying on the road, and head down the steep hill to the Crossroads Aid Station.

Crossroads 1 and 2. Runners will head out from the Aid Station down the steep, rocky gully for a short distance until it flattens out but continues twisting and turning. Runners will reach a "T" in the road where they take a left hand turn. You will follow along the beautiful rim for a short time before heading up a steep ledgy section to Pizza Overlook. From there, you'll return to the aid station for a quick refresh before making your final push ascending back up the hill to the cattle guard and cruising through the last mile of dirt road to the Finish Line.

Click Here For Buy Tickets