a lake with rocks in the water and mountains in the background

Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB 48K

48K·Fruita, Colorado
ultra100k50kmountaintraildesertqualifier10kbeginner friendly

Photo by Ivana Sluneckova on Unsplash

Distance48K
DateApr 10, 2026

About This Race

The 48K strikes an ideal balance for runners seeking a substantial desert challenge without the ultra-endurance commitment of longer distances. This distance allows runners to experience the full character of Fruita's high desert terrain while maintaining a pace that lets them truly appreciate the technical singletrack and sweeping mesa views. Perfect for runners stepping up from marathons or those who want to race competitively while still savoring the distinctive red rock landscape that makes this course memorable.

Notable Features

This UTMB World Series event serves as a dual qualifier for both the Western States Endurance Run and UTMB World Series Finals. The festival atmosphere includes three days of racing across four distances, basecamp festivities, and family activities, all set against the backdrop of Colorado's dramatic red rock desert landscape with views of the Colorado River and surrounding mesas.