
From 10 to 12 April 2026, the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB will host a multi-distance trail running weekend in Fruita, Colorado. Race options include 10 km, 21 km (half), 50 km, and 100 km, each traversing desert terrain, red rock slickrock, mesa edges, and technical singletrack with varied elevation profiles. The 100 km race is a single loop requiring completion under 20 hours to qualify for the Western States Endurance Run, while the 50 km and 21 km earn UTMB running stones and index credits. Aid stations are plentiful, spaced roughly every 5 miles (or less on longer courses), and participants gather at a lively basecamp festival with race expo, music, and community vibe. As a UTMB World Series event, Desert RATS blends serious trail competition, world-class qualification, and a desert festival atmosphere amidst the striking landscapes of western Colorado.
Races
Race Date:
11 April, 2026
The Desert RATS 100 K, organized by UTMB / Desert RATS Trail Running Festival, is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Fruita, Colorado, USA, with ~6,725 ft (≈ 2,050 m) of elevation gain.
Race Date:
11 April, 2026
The Desert RATS 50K, also hosted by UTMB® / Desert RATS, is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Fruita, Colorado, covering 29.8 miles (≈ 50 km) with about 3,444 ft+ of elevation gain.
Race Date:
12 April, 2026
The Desert RATS 21K, organized by UTMB® / Desert RATS, takes place on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Fruita, Colorado, as a loop course rising approximately 2,296 ft+.
Race Date:
12 April, 2026
The Desert RATS 10K, part of the Trail Running Festival, will be held Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Fruita, Colorado, with about 656 ft+ of elevation gain over the course.
Weather based on historical averages.
FAQs
What is the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K?
How long is the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K?
Where does the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K take place?
What is the elevation gain of the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K?
How can I prepare for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K?
How do I choose the right training plan for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K?
The Desert RATS 100 K, organized by UTMB / Desert RATS Trail Running Festival, is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Fruita, Colorado, USA, with ~6,725 ft (≈ 2,050 m) of elevation gain.
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K is 100km long.
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K takes place in Fruita, CO, USA.
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K elevation gain is 2050 meters, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalized training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalized training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K?
The Desert RATS 100 K, organized by UTMB / Desert RATS Trail Running Festival, is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Fruita, Colorado, USA, with ~6,725 ft (≈ 2,050 m) of elevation gain.
How long is the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K?
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K is 100km long.
Where does the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K take place?
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K takes place in Fruita, CO, USA.
What is the elevation gain of the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K?
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K elevation gain is 2050 meters, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
How can I prepare for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K?
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalized training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
How do I choose the right training plan for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100K?
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalized training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K?
How long is the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K?
Where does the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K take place?
What is the elevation gain of the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K?
How can I prepare for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K?
How do I choose the right training plan for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K?
The Desert RATS 50K, also hosted by UTMB® / Desert RATS, is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Fruita, Colorado, covering 29.8 miles (≈ 50 km) with about 3,444 ft+ of elevation gain.
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K is 48km long.
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K takes place in Fruita, CO, USA.
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K elevation gain is 1050 meters, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalized training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalized training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K?
The Desert RATS 50K, also hosted by UTMB® / Desert RATS, is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Fruita, Colorado, covering 29.8 miles (≈ 50 km) with about 3,444 ft+ of elevation gain.
How long is the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K?
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K is 48km long.
Where does the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K take place?
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K takes place in Fruita, CO, USA.
What is the elevation gain of the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K?
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K elevation gain is 1050 meters, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
How can I prepare for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K?
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalized training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
How do I choose the right training plan for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K?
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalized training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K?
How long is the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K?
Where does the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K take place?
What is the elevation gain of the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K?
How can I prepare for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K?
How do I choose the right training plan for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K?
The Desert RATS 21K, organized by UTMB® / Desert RATS, takes place on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Fruita, Colorado, as a loop course rising approximately 2,296 ft+.
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K is 21km long.
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K takes place in Fruita, CO, USA.
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K elevation gain is 700 meters, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalized training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalized training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K?
The Desert RATS 21K, organized by UTMB® / Desert RATS, takes place on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Fruita, Colorado, as a loop course rising approximately 2,296 ft+.
How long is the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K?
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K is 21km long.
Where does the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K take place?
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K takes place in Fruita, CO, USA.
What is the elevation gain of the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K?
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K elevation gain is 700 meters, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
How can I prepare for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K?
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalized training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
How do I choose the right training plan for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 21K?
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalized training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K?
How long is the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K?
Where does the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K take place?
What is the elevation gain of the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K?
How can I prepare for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K?
How do I choose the right training plan for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K?
The Desert RATS 10K, part of the Trail Running Festival, will be held Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Fruita, Colorado, with about 656 ft+ of elevation gain over the course.
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K is 9km long.
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K takes place in Fruita, CO, USA.
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K elevation gain is 200 meters, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalized training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalized training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K?
The Desert RATS 10K, part of the Trail Running Festival, will be held Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Fruita, Colorado, with about 656 ft+ of elevation gain over the course.
How long is the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K?
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K is 9km long.
Where does the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K take place?
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K takes place in Fruita, CO, USA.
What is the elevation gain of the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K?
The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K elevation gain is 200 meters, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
How can I prepare for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K?
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalized training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
How do I choose the right training plan for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 10K?
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalized training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
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Sport:
Running
Tags:
Nature
UTMB
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This event listing is for informational purposes only. Runna is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Desert RATS Trail Running Festival or Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB). All event details are based on publicly available information and are provided solely to help users discover running events. Runna does not use any official logos, images, or proprietary content from this event or its organiser. Any trademarks or names mentioned are used descriptively to identify the event in a factual manner. For the most accurate and up to date information (including to register or purchase an entry to the event), please visit the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival website.











