Desert Rats Trail Running Festival

APR

8

2027

A three day trail running festival in Fruita, Colorado with four distances across desert singletrack, mesas, and river views. The 100 KM can earn a Western States qualifier and several races award UTMB Index points.

Thu 8 Apr 2027

Fruita, Colorado

Website

100 kilometers 48 kilometers Half Marathon 9 kilometers

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Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB

Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB is a three day trail running festival held on the trails around Fruita, Colorado. The event offers four distinct race distances that run through high desert terrain with views of the Colorado River, red slickrock cliff buttes, mesas, and flowy singletrack.

Races vary in length and elevation so participants experience different terrain and effort levels. The festival includes a basecamp festival party and a free kid's race, creating a weekend with multiple on-site activities for families and spectators.

The event acts as a dual qualifier. Runners who complete the 100 KM race in 20 hours or less earn a qualifier to apply for a spot in the Western States Endurance Run. Finishers of the 100 KM, 50 KM, and 21 KM earn UTMB Index points and Running Stones that count toward the UTMB World Series Finals lottery.

UTMB Community Bibs are available as part of the event. A portion of those registration contributions is directed to local charities and trail stewardship programs supported by the IRONMAN Foundation.

Distances Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.