The Fruita Trail Half Marathon is a part of Adventure Fest, a unique multi-sport experience in Fruita, Colorado, near Utah’s border, combining MTB (Sarlacc Attack), Gravel (Dirty Edge Gravel), and a Trail running event in a one-weekend festival celebrating backcountry racing. Premier regional event operator Gemini Adventures produces the event and it’s one that we consider to be one of the Best Trail Running Events in the Rockies. This stunning half-marathon course is a fun and exciting loop on flowy singletrack in Fruita, CO. Racers will experience breathtaking views of buttes, mesas, and landscapes across the Fruita desert as they traverse challenging terrain of short steep hills and beautiful descents. In total, racers will travel 13.8 miles of gorgeous open desert in pristine early-season condition and climb over 1,000’ vertical feet at the Fruita Trail Half Marathon.
The race organizers prioritize safety and are well-prepared to support participants with aid stations, medical assistance, and other logistical needs. The Fruita Trail Half Marathon is a community-oriented event that is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere which attracts both local runners and those from around the country.
Fruita is a small town in the Colorado River’s Grand Valley, surrounded by the Book Cliffs to the north and the Colorado National Monument to the south. The city has an elevation of around 4,500 feet and covers an area of approximately 8 square miles. Fruita is known for its rugged and beautiful landscape, which offers various outdoor sports activities. In addition to mountain biking, Fruita offers many other outdoor sports activities, such as hiking, rock climbing, and river rafting. The Colorado River flows through Fruita, providing whitewater rafting, kayaking, and fishing opportunities. Naturally, one of the most popular activities in Fruita is mountain biking, with trails that cater to riders of all skill levels. The Kokopelli Trail System covers over 140 miles of terrain and is a favorite among riders. Other popular mountain biking trails include the 18 Road Trail System, the Horsethief Bench Trail System, and the North Fruita Desert Trail System.
Gemini Adventures, founded in 2003 by passionate runners, cyclists, and adventurers, curates challenging backcountry racing experiences set against mesmerizing landscapes primarily in Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. With events held in remote, scenic trails, participants can anticipate not just a race, but a unique outdoor experience where the journey is as rewarding as the competition. Their primary events include the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival which is part of the UTMB World Series, and Adventure Fest which is a unique multi-sport experience in Fruita, CO and includes Sarlacc Attack 50K MTB, Fruita Trail Half Marathon, and Dirty Edge Gravel one of the Best Gravel Events in Colorado and the Rockies. In July, Enchanted Forest Trail Races, one of the Best Trail Running Events in the Southwest, takes place as well as the multi-day Desert RATS 150 Kokopelli Stage Race take place. And to close out summer, the Mountain RATS Trail Runs and Mountain RATS Firebird 25 MTB event takes place in September.
