Check out the 2023 Fruita Trail Half racer photos.
This exciting half marathon course is a fun and challenging loop on beautiful flowy singletrack in Fruita, CO. With short steep climbs and descents featuring stunning views of the nearby buttes and mesas, runners will enjoy 13.8 miles of gorgeous open early-season desert on this Colorado half marathon. This race is one of the many challenging outdoor races of the Adventure Fest weekend and offers a great way to experience the Fruita adventure community and connect with like-minded racers!
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.
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 at start/finish
8:30 am – Sarlaac Attack 50K start
9:15 am - Yoga with The Zen Den
9:30 am - Zippity 22K start
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
1:00 pm - Sarlacc Attack awards ceremony
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
Sunday:
7:00 am-8:15 am – Race Day Registration and Packet Pick-Up at start/finish
8:30 am – Fruita Trail Half Start
9:00 am - The Dirty Edge Gravel Start
11:15 am - Yoga with The Zen Den
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)
Is There Camping Available?
There are 58 individual campsites available. Each site has a fire ring with a grate, a picnic table, and parking for two to four vehicles. Campers must bring their own firewood. There is no electricity, shade shelter, or garbage pickup for the campsites. There are vault toilets within walking distance of the campsites. Dispersed camping is allowed near the start/finish area and any dispersed campers will have use of the event toilets.
The Super 8 in Fruita, CO is this year’s host hotel, so you can acquire discounted rates there. However, most racers will be camping at 18 Road for an easier start to the day for this half marathon in Colorado.
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 Hammer gels, HEED by Hammer Nutrition, 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).