The Desert Comes Alive in Fruita
From April 9 to 12, nearly 1,760 runners will gather in Fruita, Colorado, for the 23rd edition of the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB. Set against the dramatic backdrop of red rock cliffs, mesas, and the Colorado River, this festival has become one of the most beloved stops on the UTMB World Series circuit, and a dual qualifier for both the UTMB World Series Finals and the Western States Endurance Run.
Four distances are on offer across three days of racing: the 100K (2,050m D+), the 50K (1,050m D+), the 21K (700m D+), and the 10K. With 93% American runners and an impressive 41.86% female participation rate, one of the highest on the circuit, Desert RATS embodies the inclusive spirit of trail running.
The Courses: Kokopelli Trail Magic
All distances share the legendary Kokopelli Trail near the Hawkeye Trailhead. Runners can expect flowy singletrack, red slick-rock ascents, and sweeping ridge-line vistas overlooking the Colorado River. The 100K extends into the Western Rim Loop, where the views are unmatched, trail weaving through canyons high above the river, before looping back to the finish. The 50K follows the Kokopelli Loops with a bonus lap on Rustlers Loop, featuring the iconic Pizza Overlook descent, widely regarded as the most beautiful section of the course.
Courses are both runnable and exposed, rolling between elevations of 4,500 and 5,400 feet. The terrain demands respect: technical singletrack, cliff-side drops, and mesa climbs are the norm.
Weather Forecast: Hot Days, Chilly Starts
Runners should prepare for classic high-desert conditions. The forecast for race weekend shows highs of 27°C (81°F) on Thursday and Friday, cooling to 22°C (72°F) on Saturday and 21°C (70°F) on Sunday. Morning temperatures will hover around 9-11°C (48-52°F), making layering essential at the 5:00 AM start of the 100K.
Saturday, the big race day for the 100K and 50K, brings a change: overcast skies, showers expected late in the day, and winds picking up to 29 km/h. Sunday's 21K will see stronger gusts up to 39 km/h. Heat management and hydration will be critical for anyone chasing the 100K's 20-hour cutoff.
Elite Runners to Watch
The 100K features Tyler Green (USA, UTMB Index 873), a Nike-sponsored ultrarunner who has finished in the top 10 at both Western States and UTMB. Green, who coaches high school cross-country in Portland, approaches his racing with a long-term perspective.
"I think of ultrarunning like a process. A long process. I start with five-year goals, then build a strategic map to achieve them.", Tyler Green
Green will be among the favorites for the podium in a field that also draws international competitors looking to earn UTMB Running Stones and Western States qualifications.
Looking Back: 2025 Results
Last year's edition delivered thrilling racing. In the 100K, Alex Johnson (Farmington, Utah) took the men's title in 8:57:28, while Lotti Brinks (Boise, Idaho) dominated the women's race in 9:25:50. Brinks, a HOKA-sponsored athlete known for her wins at Javelina Jundred 100K and Grindstone 100K, proved once again that she thrives in desert conditions.
The 50K saw Brian Whitfield (Colorado Springs) claim his second Desert RATS victory in 3:35:46, while Allison Baca (Golden, Colorado) won the women's race in an outstanding 3:57:03, finishing third overall.
"The race was awesome, it was super fun to have a competitive course and runners out there. Super fun having my dad out there crewing me, great day seeing friends and enjoying the trails!", Brian Whitfield, 2025 50K champion
"The race town, Fruita, is a really bike-friendly area and my son loves bikes. There's also this dinosaur theme around town, which he loves. Bikes and dinosaurs were the perfect combination for a four-year-old!", Allison Baca, 2025 50K women's champion
A Landmark Year for Inclusion
The 2026 edition marks a milestone: Desert RATS will host the first-ever North American Para Trail Summit, in partnership with Born to Adapt. The initiative features dedicated coaching clinics, guide training, adaptive-focused aid station support, and reserved entries in the sold-out 100K and 50K for adaptive athletes. It's a powerful statement about the future of trail running.
Stakes Beyond the Desert
Desert RATS carries real weight on the calendar. Finishing the 100K in under 20 hours earns a qualifier for the 2027 Western States Endurance Run lottery. Top-3 finishers in the 100K and 50K earn direct entry to the UTMB World Series Finals. All finishers across the 100K, 50K, and 21K earn UTMB Running Stones.
As co-race director Reid Delman put it last year:
"The allure of trail running, with its delicate balance of beauty and suffering, is something we're honored to showcase, delivering an unforgettable experience for our participants."
The desert is calling. Good luck to all runners toeing the line this weekend in Fruita.