Get ready for an unforgettable adventure on this exciting half marathon course in Fruita, CO! This 13.8-mile loop takes runners on beautiful, flowy singletrack through Colorado’s stunning early-season desert. With short, steep climbs and descents, the course offers breathtaking views of the nearby buttes and mesas, making every step as scenic as it is rewarding.
As part of the Adventure Fest weekend, this race is more than just a challenge—it’s an opportunity to experience Fruita’s vibrant adventure community and connect with like-minded runners. Whether you’re chasing a PR or simply soaking in the desert vibes, this trail half marathon promises a fun and memorable way to kick off your racing season!
2025 Racer Guide is Coming Soon
Adventure Fest is a weekend-long celebration of outdoor adventure for individuals and families of all experience levels. In a sport where much of the time is spent solo, this is an opportunity to come together, share experiences, and connect with the adventure community.
Held at the North Fruita Desert Trailhead in Fruita, CO, the festival offers camping, exciting races, clinics, and activities for all ages.
Weekend Highlights
Friday Night: Packet pick-up at the Fruita Rec Center, plus Adventure Fest merchandise, sponsor booths, and community connections.
Saturday:
- Sarlacc Attack 50K & Sarlacc Zippity 22K mountain bike races—flowy singletrack, epic climbs, and breathtaking desert views.
- Guided canyoneering trip (ages 8+), featuring rappelling and slot canyon exploration with Glenwood Climbing Guides.
- Women’s gravel clinic with a professional rider, followed by the Dirty Edge shakeout ride open to all.
- Kids' races: A Balance Bike Race for ages 4 & under and a Beginner Kids’ MTB Race for ages 4-8.
- Bonfire Awards & Beer at the campground, followed by the Desert Disco Glowstick Parade, an easy-flow night ride perfect for all ages.
Sunday:
- Fruita Trail Half Marathon and Dirty Edge Gravel 50K, two of the region’s most scenic and rewarding endurance races.
- Pack up, say goodbye, and leave with unforgettable memories!
Whether you're racing, riding, learning a new skill, or just soaking in the adventure vibe, Adventure Fest is the ultimate weekend escape in Fruita’s legendary outdoor playground.
Finisher’s mementos will be given as racers cross the finish line. Placer’s awards will be awarded along with raffle prizes at approximately 11:30 am for both of the Sunday races. Both the men’s and women’s winners will receive comp entries to next year’s race.
There will be beer, hot food and games. See old friends and make new ones! Family, friends, and crew are invited, so bring everyone.
Adventure Fest is a weekend of celebrating everything we love about the outdoors and this includes our community. We hope to see you at the awards ceremonies!
Customized cowbell awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers of the Half Marathon in each of the following age groups:
- Under 20
- 20-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60+
Racers will receive customized dog tag finisher’s awards as they cross the finish line. Awards and mementos will not be mailed after the event.
Take Interstate 70 west to Fruita (exit 19). Turn north onto Cherry Street and take the first right onto Aspen Avenue. Go through the roundabout and continue on Aspen to Maple Street. Take a left on Maple Street and then travel north. The street will turn into 17.5 Road. Take a right on N.3 Road and then a left on 18 Road. Travel approximately 7 miles on 18 Road to the trailhead and look for signs/markers for our Colorado half marathon race.
Spots are limited for the Fruita Trail Half Marathon. Register early for the best pricing!
New Adventure Fest merchandise! Available at checkout. Any jersey ordered before March 20th can be picked up at the event. All others will be sent directly to your house after the event.
The Fruita Trail Half is a fun and exciting loop on the breathtaking singletrack outside of Fruita, CO. The course is 13.8 miles and features almost 1000′ of climbing. During this event, you'll enjoy the open desert with short steep climbs and descents alongside many beautiful views of the nearby buttes and mesas.
The half marathon loop will be run in a counterclockwise direction that contains all kinds of switchbacks and challenging terrain. The course is connected by three Aid stations: Chutes and Ladders (3.5 miles), Frontside (7.5 miles), and Western (11.4 miles).
The North Fruita Desert is an epic place in the springtime and we’ll help you get the most out of your experience. Adventure Fest is a fun weekend of running and socializing!
Join us for a free women's gravel clinic the day before the race. Led by our expert coach Reese Ruland, the clinic will get you on your bike to hone your handling skills and she will share some tips on how to feel your best on race day. Snacks will be available while you hang out with other women gravel riders in a supportive and inspiring environment. There will be a 50 person limit so register now.
Enjoy a free group ride for all participants led by expert gravel riders Reese Ruland and George Simpson. Pre-ride a section of the gravel course, enjoy on-course support and an apres ride hangout with food and beer cheering on the Sarlacc Attack finishers. There will be pace options and the ride will take approximately an hour in length. The Pre-Ride will be available to anyone interested in shaking out their legs the day before the race and meeting other gravel riders. This is a fun and supportive environment whether you are a seasoned rider or this is your first race. There will be a 50 rider limit so register now.
Campsites are reserved for our event and are available to reserve when you register online. Each site has a fire ring, concrete picnic table, 12’ x 12’ tent pad and graveled parking spaces. Vault toilets are within walking distance of the campsites.
There is no water, electricity, or garbage collection service, so come prepared with plenty of water and trash bags. Additionally, campers will need to bring their own firewood. Each individual site is limited to ten people and two vehicles.
View camp assignments. If you’d like to switch to a different available campsite, email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can check out the campsite map and locations.
Add on a desert canyoneering adventure in Colorado National Monument to complete your weekend! Hike, scramble, chimney and climb your way to the top of an impressive sandstone formation and then squeeze through the hole at the top – that’s the Lemon Squeezer! Traverse across slickrock in a fantastic desert environment high above the canyon floor and the Grand Valley below and descend the Lemon Drop, a water carved canyon, via as many as six rappels up to 100 feet in height. If you’ve never climbed and rappelled before we’ll set up a good progression to help you build your skills and confidence.
Age: 8+
Experience: Beginner to Experienced
Cost: $150
Friday:
5:00 pm-7:00 pm – Packet Pick-Up and Late Registration at Fruita Community Center
Saturday:
7:15 am-8:15 am – Race Day Registration and Packet Pick-Up @ start/finish
8:30 am – Sarlaac Attack 50K start
8:40 am - FREE Kids Mountain Bike Race (open to kids 4-8 on two wheel bike)
9:00 am - Canyoneering with Glenwood Mountain Guides @ start/finish
9:30 am - Sarlacc 22K Short Course start
9:40 am - Free Balance Bike Race (open to kids 4 and under)
10:00 am – Women's Gravel Clinic
11:00 am - Group Gravel Ride
12:00 pm - Cut-off for Sarlacc- Bruncher award
12:30 pm – Cut-off for Sarlacc MTB Aid Station
1:30 pm – Cut-off for Sarlacc Attack- Mesa Aid Station
3:30 pm – Cut-off for Sarlacc Attack- Luncher award
4:30 pm – Cut-off for Sarlacc Attack unofficial finishes
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Camp Trivia: Beer and Prizes @ start/finish
8:00 pm - 8:30 - Bonfire Awards
8:45 pm - Desert Disco Glowstick Parade
10:00 pm - Quiet Hours
Sunday:
7:00 am - 8:15 am – Race Day Registration and Packet Pick-Up @ start/finish
8:00 am - Canyoneering with Glenwood Mountain Guides @ start/finish
8:30 am – Fruita Trail Half Start
9:00 am - The Dirty Edge Gravel Start
9:15 am - FREE Kid's Running Race (10 and Under)
11:30 am – Half Marathon & The Dirty Edge Gravel Awards/Raffle – Finish Line
Course Records
Male: 1:48:46 Vaughn Janckila (2021)
Female: 1:49:34 Tracy Kovaleski (2021)
How do I reserve a campsite?
Campsites are reserved for our event and are available to reserve when you register online. Each site has a fire ring, concrete picnic table, 12’ x 12’ tent pad and graveled parking spaces. Vault toilets are within walking distance of the campsites.
There is no water, electricity, or garbage collection service, so come prepared with plenty of water and trash bags. Additionally, campers will need to bring their own firewood. Each individual site is limited to ten people and two vehicles.
Are Dogs Allowed?
We love dogs! Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome at the Start/Finish and aid stations. Unfortunately, we cannot allow dogs on course with their runners.
What Supplies Are Offered at the Aid Stations?
At the aid stations, racers will receive gels, sports drink, water, skittles, and potato chips. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDS will not be provided. And to reduce waste, cups will not be provided at the aid stations.
Radio contact will be available at all aid stations and each one will have the necessary medical materials to nurse any bumps, cuts, bruises, and/or blisters.
Three aid stations will be provided for the Half Marathon.
Can I Go Off Trail at any Point?
Racers must stay on the designated course at all times. Shortcutting will result in a disqualification. If you go off course, you must return to the same point you exited in order to continue.
Some singletrack sections will be designated No Passing Zones (let’s help keep singletrack single). There will be opportunities to pass that won’t harm the trails, so please be patient and wait for those areas.
Cryptobiotic soil is the foundation of desert plant life. This dark, knobby crust is made up of many different living organisms and plays a vital role in maintaining the desert eco-system. However, this soil is extremely fragile and can take decades to grow. Even a footstep can damage the crust for decades, having lasting impacts on the desert environment. Please stay on the trail!
What Weather Should I Expect?
Weather in the Fruita Desert can vary. The averages for May are a low of 48 degrees and a high of 79 degrees Fahrenheit. While the weather is never a sure thing, you can typically expect highs of between 70-80 degrees with very little chance of rain in Fruita during this time of year.
What About Unforeseeable Circumstances?
In the case of unforeseeable circumstances due to weather or other extenuating circumstances that prevents the safe continuation of the race, race officials may end the race at any given time without a refund of unused portions. This rule will be implemented in the most extreme cases for the safety of the runners or officials.
I Lost Something at the Event! Is There a Lost & Found?
Items left at aid stations and lost & found items will be available at the awards ceremony immediately following the half marathon.
Can I Transfer or Cancel My Registration?
There will be no entry transfers. If you regrettably need to cancel your registration, please use UltraSignup. Cancellations will result in a credit that can be applied as a registration payment toward any Gemini Adventures event within one year’s time, minus a 15% fee. To cancel your registration, simply log in to your account, go to “Registration History,” select “Edit” for the Fruit Trail Half Marathon, and select “Cancel Registration.”
What’s our Refund Policy?
- 30 days or more prior to the event: 85% credit of registration fee (excluding UltraSignup fees).
- Less than 30 days prior to the event: No refunds or credit given.
Credits may be applied to any future Gemini Adventures race and will be valid for 12 months.
Registered runners may also switch between distances. No refunds or credit will be given for dropping down in distance. If you want to step up your distance, the added current pricing of the longer distance will be charged (excluding UltraSignup fees).
