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:
100K
Fruita CO, Mack Exit, Hawkeye Trailhead - 05:00
Max Allowed Race Time: 20 Hours
This beautiful out and back hits some of the fantastic highlights of the famous Kokopelli Trail including the stunning flowy singletrack of the Western Rim. Runners will be challenged with an epic mesa climb, then rewarded with endless views.
The 100K course has all the benefits of the 50K plus it will take you out to the incredible Western Rim Loop. After doing a lap on the stunning Kokopelli Loops in the Mack Ridge area runners will follow the rugged Kokopelli Trail 4WD road to some of the most beautiful trails you will ever see.
Start. A nice warm up takes runners out one mile of gently rolling dirt road. A sharp left turn puts runners on the first single track of the day. Once on this section, it will be difficult to pass so find your place before you reach the singletrack. Large rocks and twists bring you to a high point where you will stay close to the edge and enjoy beautiful views before the rugged descent down the other side. A short quad busting decent will dump you out at a trailhead (the old Moore Fun aid station) where you will follow the road by making a sharp right turn toward the new Rustler’s aid station.
Rustler’s Loop. After leaving the Aid Station, you will jump into Rustler’s Loop in a clockwise direction around the loop, this soft dirt trail winds its way through gently rolling hills and wide open fields. After completing the loop, you will need to check back in at the Rustler’s aid station before heading out further on the course. A short uphill will bring you to a left turn that takes you sharply uphill. You will continue along this fun technical terrain with amazing views of the Colorado River, to reach Pizza Overlook.
Pizza Overlook. Upon leaving the Aid Station, you will immediately begin descending quickly. A narrow trail and big drop offs will eventually open up as you begin following the rim in and out of the canyons. On an incredibly picturesque course, this section is generally considered the most beautiful.
Crossroads. After a short climb, the course passes some intersecting trails and makes a couple of sharp turns (pay attention to the course markings). This will lead to the undulating, remote section of the Troybuilt Trail. This is the longest section between Aid Stations so be sure to carry water with you. Keep an eye open for the turnoff from the 50K down to Salt Creek. After following the creek for a short distance, the climb up to the aid station is a true test of your grit.
Salt Creek: You will leave the aid station and take a frontage road all the way to the next aid station, Rabbit Valley. This undulating road is the closest you will be to civilization as you can see the highway to the right while admiring the amazing views to the left.
Rabbit Valley: Enjoy time with your crew and access to your drop bags at this aid station, it will be a while before you have access to either for a while. Traveling between rocky and sandy sections you will slowly climb to the Western Rim trail as you head further into the desert backcountry.
Western Rim: The views from this section are unmatched! The trail weaves in and out of the canyons above the Western Rim and the sights of the Colorado River are incredible. Appreciate this section because the climb off the rim will not be easy.
Rim Exit Water Drop: An unstaffed water station will help you complete the loop to return back to the Western Rim aid station. Western Rim: This section begins the journey back to the finish line.
Rabbit Valley: After visiting with crew and getting some warm food you will head back up the gravel road to the Salt Creek aid station.
Salt Creek: You were wishing this section wasn't uphill on the way out and you'll see that the downhill isn't easy either. After crossing the Salt Creek bridge again and getting back up the other side, you will take a left at the intersection. A fun descent through a wash will exit you off the Troybuilt trail and begin the last mile of gravel to the finish line.
50K
Fruita CO, Mack Exit, Hawkeye Trailhead - 07:00
Max Allowed Race Time 10 Hours
The Desert Rats 50K is a thrilling and rewarding challenge on the stunning Kokopelli Loops. With an exhilarating climb up Mack Ridge, this course offers breathtaking views that only 50K runners get to experience. Rolling between 4,500 and 5,400 feet of el
The 50K takes runners on the stunning Kokopelli Loops in the Mack Ridge area, with a bonus lap on the fast and fun Rustlers Loop, beginning at the Moore Fun Aid Station allowing runners to hit this Aid Station twice. The courses roll between elevations of 4,500 and 5,400 feet with over 3,400 feet of climbing.
Start. A nice warm up takes runners out one mile of gently rolling dirt road. A sharp left turn puts runners on the first single track of the day. Once on this section, it will be difficult to pass so find your place before you reach the singletrack. Large rocks and twists bring you to a high point where you will stay close to the edge and enjoy beautiful views before the rugged descent down the other side. A short quad busting decent will dump you out at a trailhead (the old Moore Fun aid station) where you will follow the road by making a sharp right turn toward the new Rustler’s aid station.
Rustler’s Loop. After leaving the Aid Station, you will jump into Rustler’s Loop in a clockwise direction around the loop, this soft dirt trail winds its way through gently rolling hills and wide open fields. After completing the loop, you will need to check back in at the Rustler’s aid station before heading out further on the course. A short uphill will bring you to a left turn that takes you sharply uphill. You will continue along this fun technical terrain with amazing views of the Colorado River, to reach Pizza Overlook.
Pizza Overlook. Upon leaving the Aid Station, you will immediately begin descending quickly. A narrow trail and big drop offs will eventually open up as you begin following the rim in and out of the canyons. On an incredibly picturesque course, this section is generally considered the most beautiful.
Crossroads. After a short climb, the course passes some intersecting trails and makes a couple of sharp turns (pay attention to the course markings). This will lead to the undulating, remote section of the Troybuilt Trail. This is the longest section between Aid Stations so be sure to carry water with you. Keep an eye open for the turnoff from the 50K down to Salt Creek. After following the creek for a short distance, the climb up to the aid station is a true test of your grit.
Troybuilt: Leaving this Aid Station will put you on the steep, hot climb of the day. Eventually bringing you to Mack Ridge, this section will open up, once again following what some would consider a little too close to the overlook. A new section of single-track will make a sharp left turn and descend 2.8 miles to the backside of the parking lot and the finish line.
Additional Dates:
