Desert Rats Trail Running Festival

APR

9-12

2026

A three-day trail running festival in the high desert of Fruita, Colorado. Runners can choose from four distances on scenic singletrack with views of the Colorado River. The event offers a festival atmosphere with family activities and serves as a dual qualifier for major ultras.

9-12 Apr 2026

Fruita, Colorado

Website

100 kilometers 48 kilometers Half Marathon 9 kilometers

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Event Overview

The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB is a multi-day trail running event in Fruita, Colorado. The event features three days of racing with four different distances: 100K, 50K, 21K, and 10K. The courses take place in a high desert landscape, featuring views of the Colorado River, red slickrock cliff buttes, and mesas. The trails include flowy singletrack.

Races and Qualifying

The races are scheduled across three days, with specific dates listed for each distance. The 100K, 50K, and 21K races are part of the UTMB World Series, awarding Running Stones and a UTMB Index to finishers. The 100K race also serves as a qualifier for the Western States Endurance Run if completed within 20 hours.

Festival Elements

The event is described as a weekend festival with activities beyond the races. These include a basecamp festival party and a free kids' race, aiming to provide an experience for the whole family. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

100 km

100k

48 km

50k

Half Marathon

21k

9 km

10k