Desert RATS Trail Running Festival Half Marathon & 10k

Saturday, April 13, 2025 • Fruita, CO

As part of the UTMB World Series Racing Events, the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival Half Marathon and 10k is a celebration of trail running for everyone and, for nearly two decades, has succeeded in bringing the community together for an epic adventure.

Trail Runners, Scenic Views, Challenging Course. Located in Southwestern Colorado amongst the high desert, this trail running half marathon takes runners through desert landscapes providing spectacular cliffside views of the Colorado River and more.

Rugged desert terrain, this course was designed to be one of the most scenic half marathon courses in the entire United States and it certainly lives up to the hype.

With over 1500 feet of elevation gain, this challenging trail running looping course begins by heading down a dirt road before taking a sharp turn up its first hill climb within the first mile.

As runners reach the first aid station at Crossroads #1, prepare for twists and turns along a steep and rocky gully before the course flattens out. At the 10k mark, runners will reach what’s known as the Pizza Overlook.

After the 10k mark, runners will run along a section of Mary’s Loop before hitting the Wrangler’s Loop Cutoff. After another steep climb, it’s a descent down towards the next aid station.

It’s here where the trail becomes technical, however, before you know it, the finish line will have been reached.

Although there are aid stations throughout the half marathon course, this event mandates runners to bring their own hydration packs with a water capacity of at least 16 oz.

Remember, this event is a 3-day festival, so come prepared to party and socialize both before and after race day at basecamp, where it’s fun for the entire family.

Race Weather & Climate

Fruita is nestled in western Colorado, near the Utah border, offering a gateway to the stunning landscapes of Colorado National Monument and Grand Junction.

April 13 in Fruita, Colorado ushers in the spring season. High temperatures typically reach around 68°F, offering mild and pleasant weather for outdoor activities. As the day transitions into the evening, temperatures drop to approximately 39°F. Precipitation remains low, with an average of just 0.5 inches, making it an ideal day for enjoying the blossoming beauty of spring in Fruita.

Desert RATS Trail Running Festival Race Results

Desert RATS Trail Running Festival Course Map

See the race route map for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival Half Marathon course map here.

Starting Time

The 100k start time is 5:00 AM and the time limit is 20 hours.
The 50k start time is 7:00 AM and the time limit is 10 hours.
The 21k start time is 8:30 AM and the time limit is 10 hours.
The 10k start time is 6:00 PM and the time limit is 10 hours.

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2025 Desert RATS Trail Running Festival, you can use the registration link here.