Adventure Fest 2026

Adventure Fest 2026

Presented by Gemini Adventures
Gravel Mixed Surface
Fruita, CO
May 9–10, 2026
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About This Event

Adventure Fest combines mountain biking, gravel cycling, and trail running into a single weekend celebration of backcountry racing in Fruita, Colorado. Produced by Gemini Adventures, the festival takes place during the season’s opening week, meaning participants get first access to trails in pristine early-season condition.

The weekend kicks off Saturday with the Sarlacc Attack, a 50K mountain bike loop gaining 3,400 feet of elevation. The course combines The Edge, Cicada, and Sarlacc trails, featuring cliff-edge riding, world-class singletrack, challenging climbs, and flowing descents through the North Fruita Desert. Riders tackle one of Colorado’s most celebrated singletracks on the Sarlacc trail as the very first riders of the season.

Sunday brings two events. The Dirty Edge Gravel race covers 50K with 2,700 feet of climbing through the famous 18 Road area. Riders experience expansive Book Cliffs views while navigating smooth gravel roads and the back canyon section of the Edge Loop, creating a mix of technical challenge and stunning desert vistas.

The Fruita Trail Half Marathon rounds out Sunday’s racing. This 13.8-mile loop traverses flowy singletrack with over 1,000 feet of climbing, offering breathtaking views of buttes, mesas, and desert landscapes across challenging terrain of short, steep hills and beautiful descents.

The festival atmosphere emphasizes community over pure competition. A complimentary women’s gravel clinic on Saturday, led by professional cyclists Lauren Costantini, Reese Ruland, and George Simpson, includes a group course preview ride open to all participants. On-site camping at 18 Road creates a genuine festival environment where athletes can connect between events.

Gemini Adventures

Event Organizer
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Founded in 2003 by a group of passionate runners, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts, Gemini Adventures has become a premier producer of endurance events in the American Southwest. The company is renowned in Colorado for organizing challenging backcountry races that blend intense physical demands with breathtaking natural scenery. Gemini Adventures specializes in events that take participants through remote, rugged landscapes, primarily across Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico.

Key Events

  1. Desert RATS Trail Running Festival
    • One of the flagship events, this festival is part of the prestigious UTMB World Series. It features various distances, including a grueling 100k that takes runners through the dramatic desert terrain around Fruita, Colorado. Participants face significant elevation gains and must navigate technical trails that showcase the stunning beauty of the high desert, including mesas and cliff edges.
  2. Adventure Fest
    • Held in Fruita, Colorado, Adventure Fest is a multi-sport extravaganza that combines mountain biking, gravel racing, and trail running over a single weekend. Events like the Sarlacc Attack 50K MTB, Fruita Trail Half Marathon, and Dirty Edge Gravel 50K are part of this festival, attracting outdoor athletes from across the country. The festivity celebrates not only competition but also the vibrant outdoor culture of Fruita, offering participants and spectators alike a full immersion into the world of endurance sports.
  3. Rexy Co2uT
    • Known as the “Queen of the Desert,” this unique gravel race spans the challenging terrain from Colorado to Utah, connecting the iconic cycling towns of Fruita and Moab. The event is designed for the hardcore gravel enthusiast, featuring long stretches of technical riding, substantial elevation gains, and awe-inspiring desert vistas.
  4. Enchanted Forest Trail Races
    • Set in Red River, New Mexico, this event offers a variety of trail races, including a marathon and a half marathon. The course takes runners through the picturesque Enchanted Forest, known for its lush landscapes and challenging elevation changes, making it one of the top trail running events in the Southwest.

Gemini Adventures is dedicated to creating experiences that push participants beyond their limits while providing them with the support necessary to tackle such demanding courses. Each event is not only a race but a journey through some of the most stunning and remote areas in the United States, making Gemini Adventures a favorite among endurance athletes seeking both competition and adventure.

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