Kessel Run Ultra - Trail Running

Kessel Run Ultra takes over the North Fruita Desert in early November, starting across from the 18 Road trailhead near Fruita, Colorado. Five distances from 10 to 50 miles share fast, flowing singletrack and the steep rollers of the Zippity Do Da trail, with views over the high desert.

Kessel Run Ultra is a Mad Moose Events race held on the trails of the North Fruita Desert, just outside Fruita in western Colorado. Start and finish sit across the street from the 18 Road parking area, on a network of singletrack better known to mountain bikers but, as the organisers put it, a hidden gem for trail running. Five distances are on the menu: 10 miles, 20 miles, 50K, 40 miles and 50 miles.

Every course opens on fast, flowing singletrack before reaching the short, steep ups and downs of the Zippity Do Da trail. The climbing adds up: about 1,086 ft (330 m) on the 10 miler, 2,034 ft (620 m) on the 20 miler, 3,438 ft (1,050 m) on the 50K, 4,090 ft (1,250 m) on the 40 miler and 5,177 ft (1,580 m) on the 50 miler, all between roughly 5,030 and 5,540 ft of altitude. Along the way the high desert opens onto the Colorado National Monument and distant views of the San Juan Mountains.

The 50 and 40 milers start at 6 a.m., followed by the 50K, the 20 miler and the 10 miler later in the morning. The race is cupless, so runners carry bottles, a bladder or a reusable cup to fill at every aid station. Finishers take home a custom shirt, a BOCO technical trucker hat and a medal, and BLM camping just past the start line makes it an easy weekend in the desert.