Races
Desert RATS
Fruita desert. Colorado National Monument rim miles. Slickrock, canyon drops, and April heat on the Colorado Plateau edge.
100 km+4,349 ft-4,349 ft18 hours4,434 ft to 5,365 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookColorado National Monumenthigh desertWSER qualifierApril
Distance100 km
Gain+4,349 ft
Loss-4,349 ft
Altitude4,434 ft to 5,365 ft
Technicality5/10
Air35°F to 85°F
- Start4,690 ft
- High5,365 ft
- Low4,434 ft
- Finish4,690 ft
Geometryderived
Steepest drop794 ft-6.9% over 2.2 mi
Night miles17 misunset near 19:00 local
Weather at the cruxderived
At hour 8 of race, feels like 16 C (69 F).Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.At hour 8 of race, apparent temperature P90 is 16 C / 62 F.
The cruxRim Rock Drive exposure and Wedding Canyon sandstone grades (near mile 40)
Course DNA
The Course
Desert RATS runs 100 km through Fruita, Colorado. +4,349 ft gain and -4,349 ft loss. Surfaces skew 75% singletrack / 20% dirt road / 5% slickrock. Rim Rock Drive exposure and Wedding Canyon sandstone grades. High point near 5,365 ft. Low near 4,434 ft. April temps run 35°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 31.
The Work
Train for 4,349 feet of climbing across 100 km. Back-to-back long runs on similar surfaces. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 18 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 40.
Kit
April in Fruita, Colorado: plan for 35°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 18 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 16. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% singletrack: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 31.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 16. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 31. Rim Rock Drive exposure and Wedding Canyon sandstone grades near mile 40 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 21 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Desert RATS finish lines.
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