Desert RATS has been an annual tradition for Gemini Adventures since 2003! Join us for our 20th annual trail race in Colorado on the world-class trails near Fruita, Colorado. The weekend kicks off on Friday night with packet pickup and a food truck dinner hangout with friends, family, and fellow racers. Saturday is the big day for the trail marathon and 50K, followed that night with an outdoor racer party at the Fruita Community Center. Sunday’s events include a 10K, half marathon, and kids’ races. Friends and family are welcome at all events and participants are offered a special rate at our host hotel the Fruita Super 8. All of the distances sell out every year, so get in early.
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival is a weekend-long celebrating everything that we love about the outdoors, including our community. It’s an event that’s unlike any other that’s guaranteed to be exciting, beautiful, and above all else: fun! Racers will be challenged with any of the races that we host during this weekend. If you’re looking for a new experience while trail running in Colorado, you can’t beat the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival.
We can’t wait to see you this April — good luck with your training!
Everyone is invited to the racer party Saturday night at 6:00 pm at the Fruita Community Center. At the conveniently located FCC in Fruita, we’ll hand out the awards for the day’s races. There will be food trucks, live music, and free microbrews! It’s a great opportunity to get together to see old friends and make new ones. Family, friends, and crew are welcome to join us for the award ceremony and racer party.
Men’s and Women’s winners of each of the four distances (50K, Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K) will receive comp entries to next year’s races. $100 cash premiums will additionally be awarded to the first male and female racers to reach the 1.3-mile mark of the 50K and half marathon.
Customized cowbell awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in each race for the following age groups:
- Under 20
- 20-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60+
All racers will receive customized dog tag finisher’s awards as they cross the finish line. Placer’s awards will be distributed at each day’s awards ceremony. Awards and mementos will not be mailed after the event.
Take Interstate 70 west to Fruita (exit 19). Turn north onto Cherry Street and take the first right onto Aspen Avenue. Go through the roundabout and continue on Aspen to Maple Street. Take a left on Maple Street and then travel north. The street will turn into 17.5 road. Take a right on N.3 Road and then a left on 18 Road. Travel approximately 7 miles on 18 Road to the trailhead.
Friday
4:00p-7:00p – Packet Pick-Up and Food Trucks – Fruita Community Center
Saturday
Buses will leave Fruita 8/9 School every 15 minutes starting at 5:45am.
6:00a – Packet pick-up @ the Start Line.
7:00a – 50K Race start
8:00a – Marathon race start
12:00p – Crossroads Aid Cut-Off
5:00p – Marathon/50K Final Cut-Off
6:00p – Awards/Raffle/Party/Food/Music outside at the Fruita Community Center
Sunday
Buses will leave Fruita 8/9 School every 15 minutes starting at 6:45am.
7:00a – Packet pick-up @ the Start Line.
8:30a – Half Marathon start
9:00a – 10K start
9:15a – Easter Bunny/Free Kids Race/Easter egg hunt
11:30a – Awards/Raffle @ the Finish Line
Course Records
- 50K Male: 3:41:56 – Jonathan Rea (2021)
- 50K Female: 3:59:52 – Brittany Charboneau (2021)
- Marathon Male: 3:04:35 – Pawel Oboz (2010)
- Marathon Female: 3:24:10 – Anna Pichrtova (2009)
- Half Marathon Male: 1:25:34 – Kyle Lund (2021)
- Half Marathon Female: 1:37:50 – Claire Benjamin (2021)
- 10K Male: 34:36 – Joseph Manila Fasha (2006)
- 10K Female: 44:51 – Lynda Andros (2006)
Where Can I Park?
There will be no parking for racers, spectators, or crew at the start/finish area. Desert RATS Trail Running Festival racers will park at the Fruita 8/9 School located at 1835 J Road, Fruita CO 81521 and we will provide buses to the start line. Buses will leave every 15 minutes starting at 5:45 AM on Saturday and 6:15 AM on Sunday, running all day. There will be portable toilets available here and plenty of parking.
The bus ride takes about 20 minutes and is open to racers, family, friends, and crew. Strollers are allowed on the bus, but no dogs are allowed. Spectators should be respectful of the runners who may need to make it to the start and wait for the next available seat if necessary.
Race morning can be very hectic and unpleasant if unprepared! You need to be ready to get on the bus or quickly hop out of your car so you don’t ruin the experience for the person waiting behind you.
Can Racers Be Dropped Off or Picked Up by Friends?
There will be a small racer drop-off and pick-up area at the start area, just south of the Mack Exit off I-70. This are can get congested though, so we recommend busing for a low-stress experience.
When exiting the highway cars will head south and follow signs to the drop-off area. There will be absolutely no stopping or parking except to briefly drop off or pick up a racer. Cars will be encouraged to keep moving to avoid bottlenecks.
If a racer needs to be picked up by car, they will go to the racer drop-off/pick-up area and then call their driver. If needed, drivers can park and wait at the parking area at the Fruita 8/9 School.
Whether you choose the bus or not, racers will need to be prepped and ready to go on race morning to streamline the process. Please be completely packed with everything you will need for your pre-race, race, and post-race. You will be able to leave your bag at the start/finish area and pick it up after your trail race in Colorado.
The future of this event is contingent on the bus and racer drop-off areas running smoothly and all participants adhering to the rules. Our volunteers will be strictly enforcing these rules and we ask you to please thank them for being so generous with their time to support your trail running in Colorado.
Can I Bring my Own Bag?
Racers are welcome to bring their own bags or use our swag bags for storing jackets, post-race clothing, or other gear at the start/finish area. Racers will clearly label their bags with their race number on white tape provided by Gemini Adventures. We will have a collection tent for the bags.
Please do not forget to pick up your bags! We will take any extras to the awards party at the Fruita Community Center Saturday night and to the Sunday races. Anything left after Sunday will be donated.
What Should I Bring?
You should know what will bring you the most comfort for any type of trail running in Colorado by way of apparel, shoes, food and liquid intake. If needed, we can offer suggestions on things you should bring and there will be several really amazing aid stations throughout the races to offer support.
What Will Be Provided at the Aid Stations?
At each aid station, there will be radio contact available and all necessary materials to nurse any bumps, cuts, bruises, or blisters. The start/finish will have a medical tent and medics, including a certified Emergency Medical Technician. Aid stations will NOT have aspirin, ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs.
Aid Stations will additionally be stocked with Hammer gels, potato chips, peanut butter and jelly rolls, chocolate, bananas, skittles, ice water, and HEED by Hammer Nutrition.
Please note that we will provide no cups at the aid stations to reduce waste, so please carry a water bottle, hydration pack, or collapsible cup on the course. Racers will receive a SpeedCup from Hammer Nutrition to use on the course.
What Accommodations Are Available?
This year, our host hotel will be the Super 8 in Fruita. You can get a special rate on accommodations if you mention the Desert RATS festival.
What Will the Weather Be Like?
The weather on the Kokopelli trail of Fruita, CO can vary. The averages for April are a low of 35°F & a high of 66°. We’ve had anywhere from 30s with sleet to 80s and sunny – so come prepared!
Are Dogs Allowed?
We love dogs! Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome at the Start/Finish and at other events throughout the weekend.
Unfortunately, we cannot allow dogs on course with their runners or on the buses.
Can I Go Off Trail?
Racers must stay on the designated course. Short-cutting will result in a disqualification. Please help us leave the trails better than we found them and deposit all trash in the proper containers.
Cryptobiotic soil is the foundation of desert plant life. This dark, knobby crust is made up of many different living organisms and plays a vital role in maintaining the desert ecosystem. However, this soil is extremely fragile and can take decades to grow. Even a footstep can damage the crust for decades, having lasting impacts on the desert environment.
What About Unforeseeable Circumstances?
In the case of unforeseeable circumstances due to weather or other extenuating circumstances that prevents the safe continuation of the race, race officials may end the race at any given time without a refund of unused portions. This rule will be implemented in the most extreme cases for the safety of the runners or officials.
I Lost Something at the Event! Is There a Lost & Found?
Items left at Aid Stations and lost & found items will be available at the Awards Ceremonies.
What’s our Refund Policy?
30 Days or more prior to the Event: 85% credit of registration fee (excluding UltraSignup fees).
Less than 30 days prior to the Event: No refunds or credit given.
Credits may be applied to any future Gemini Adventures race and will be valid for 12 months.
Registered runners may also switch between distances. No refunds or credit will be given for dropping down in distance. If stepping up in distance, the added current pricing of the longer distance will be charged (excluding UltraSignup fees).
To request credits, log in to your UltraSignup account, and go to Registration History. Select Edit for the event, and scroll to the bottom of the page where Cancel Registration is linked. Follow the prompts.