Desert Rats Trail Running Festival by UTMB brings new trail runners and utra veterans alike an incomparable weekend experience. With 5 unique distances, three days of racing, and indescribable views of the desert - there is something for every runner. Help us celebrate 20 years in 2023!

Friday,April, 14, 2023

Schedule:

3:45AM - Parking/Shuttles    
4AM – 4:45AM - 100K Race Morning Bib Pick-Up    
4AM – 5AM - Drop Bags for Rabbit Valley and Turnaround Aid Stations    
5AM - 100K Race Start    
10AM – 6:30PM - Expo: Bib Pick-Up, Official
12PM - Runner Briefing    
5:30pm - Runner Briefing    

Course Information:

Start

A nice warmup takes runners out one mile of gently rolling dirt road before taking a sharp left turn onto the Troybuilt singletrack. A short run will bring you to the Salt Creek turnoff and a steep descent to the creek. After crossing the bridge and passing under the railroad tracks you will begin the big climb to the aid station.

Salt Creek

After leaving the aid station, you will take a frontage road all the way to the next aid station, Rabbit Valley. This undulating road is the closest you will be to civilization as you can see the highway to the right while admiring the amazing views to the left.

Rabbit Valley

Enjoy time with your crew and access to your drop bags at this aid station, it will be a while before you have access to either for a while. Traveling between rocky and sandy sections you will slowly climb to the Western Rim trail as you head further into the desert backcountry.

Western Rim

The views from this section are unmatched! The trail weaves in and out of the canyons above the Western Rim and the sights of the Colorado River are incredible. Appreciate this section because the climb off the rim will be a real test of stamina.

Rim Exit

The Rim Exit aid station will help you get back on the Kokopelli trail and ready for the climb up the Mesa. While the last half mile is the steepest, it can be misleading as the trail climbs even before the final ramp up the mesa. The view at the top makes it all worth it!

Mesa

Enjoy the vistas! Then begin this section to the turnaround. Watch your footing and be careful not to blow out your quads on this ledgy descent.

Turnaround

You will reach the Turnaround aid station and access your drop bags, before heading back the way you came. You will experience the same beautiful course, minus the Western Rim section, as you make your way back to the Finish!  

Saturday, April, 15, 2023

Schedule:

5:30AM - Parking/Shuttles    
5:45AM – 7:45AM     50K and 42K Race Morning Bib Pick-Up    
7AM - 50K Race Start    
8AM - Marathon/42K Start    
1PM – 5PM - Expo: Bib Pick-Up,
5PM - Festival Basecamp Party celebrating 20 years    
6PM - Awards Ceremony for 100K, 50K, and Marathon/42K    

Course Information:

50K

The Marathon will be a single loop connecting the desert trails of the Kokopelli and adjacent trails. 50K runners will do an additional 4.6mi loop beginning at the Moore Fun Aid Station allowing runners to hit this Aid Station twice. The courses roll between elevations of 4,500 and 5,400 feet with over 3,400 feet of climbing.

Start: A nice warm up takes runners out one mile of gently rolling dirt road. A sharp left turn puts runners on the first single track of the day. Once on this section, it will be difficult to pass so find your place before your reach this section. Large rocks and twists bring you to a high point where you will stay close to the edge and enjoy beautiful views before the rugged descent down the other side.

50K Out & Back: After leaving the Aid Station, 50K runners will head down the road to Rustler’s Loop. Traveling clockwise around the loop, this soft dirt trail winds its way through gently rolling hills and wide open fields. After completing the loop, you’ll be back at Moore Fun.

Moore Fun: A short downhill will bring you to a rugged jeep road. It will take you up a gentle climb and descent until it connects into the wide, flat and fast section of Mary’s Loop. Head right on Mary’s Loop, going through some fun technical terrain with amazing views of the Colorado River, to reach Pizza Overlook.

Pizza Overlook: Upon leaving the Aid Station, you will immediately begin descending quickly. A narrow trail and big drop offs will eventually open up as you begin following the rim in and out of the canyons. On an incredibly picturesque course, this section is generally considered the most beautiful.

Crossroads: After a short climb, the course passes some intersecting trails and makes a couple of sharp turns (pay attention to the course markings). This will lead to the undulating, remote section of the Troybuilt Trail. This is the longest section between Aid Stations so be sure to carry water with you. A fun descent through a wash will bring you to Troybuilt. You must make it to the Crossroads Aid Station by Noon. Racers over this cut-off will be directed to bypass the remaining course, proceeding back to the Start/Finish by the most direct route, 1.5mi on Mary’s Loop and Hawkeye.

Troybuilt: Leaving this Aid Station will put you on the steep, hot climb of the day. Eventually bringing you to Mack Ridge, this section will open up, once again following what some would consider a little too close to the overlook. A new section of single-track will make a sharp left turn and descend 2.8 miles to the backside of the parking lot and the finish line.

42K

The Marathon will be a single loop connecting the desert trails of the Kokopelli and adjacent trails. 50K runners will do an additional 4.6mi loop beginning at the Moore Fun Aid Station allowing runners to hit this Aid Station twice. The courses roll between elevations of 4,500 and 5,400 feet with over 3,400 feet of climbing.

Start: A nice warm up takes runners out one mile of gently rolling dirt road. A sharp left turn puts runners on the first single track of the day. Once on this section, it will be difficult to pass so find your place before your reach this section. Large rocks and twists bring you to a high point where you will stay close to the edge and enjoy beautiful views before the rugged descent down the other side.

50K Out & Back: After leaving the Aid Station, 50K runners will head down the road to Rustler’s Loop. Traveling clockwise around the loop, this soft dirt trail winds its way through gently rolling hills and wide open fields. After completing the loop, you’ll be back at Moore Fun.

Moore Fun: A short downhill will bring you to a rugged jeep road. It will take you up a gentle climb and descent until it connects into the wide, flat and fast section of Mary’s Loop. Head right on Mary’s Loop, going through some fun technical terrain with amazing views of the Colorado River, to reach Pizza Overlook.

Pizza Overlook: Upon leaving the Aid Station, you will immediately begin descending quickly. A narrow trail and big drop offs will eventually open up as you begin following the rim in and out of the canyons. On an incredibly picturesque course, this section is generally considered the most beautiful.

Crossroads: After a short climb, the course passes some intersecting trails and makes a couple of sharp turns (pay attention to the course markings). This will lead to the undulating, remote section of the Troybuilt Trail. This is the longest section between Aid Stations so be sure to carry water with you. A fun descent through a wash will bring you to Troybuilt.

You must make it to the Crossroads Aid Station by Noon. Racers over this cut-off will be directed to bypass the remaining course, proceeding back to the Start/Finish by the most direct route, 1.5mi on Mary’s Loop and Hawkeye.

Troybuilt: Leaving this Aid Station will put you on the steep, hot climb of the day. Eventually bringing you to Mack Ridge, this section will open up, once again following what some would consider a little too close to the overlook. A new section of single-track will make a sharp left turn and descend 2.8 miles to the backside of the parking lot and the finish line.

Sunday, April, 16, 2023

Schedule:

7AM - Parking/Shuttles    
7:30AM - 8:45AM     Race Morning Bib Pick-Up    
8:30AM - Half Marathon/21K Start    
9AM - 10K Start    
9:15AM - Awards Ceremony for Half Marathon/21K and 10K    
9:45AM - Pancake Brunch    
11:30AM - Awards Ceremony for Half Marathon/21K and 10K

Course Information:

21K

Runners head out the gently rolling dirt road for a mile until they take a sharp right turn for 0.3mi to the top of the hill. From there, the first Aid Station is visible and racers cross the cattle guard, staying on the road, and head down the steep hill to the Crossroads Aid Station.

Crossroads #1: Both distances will head out from the Aid Station down the steep, rocky gully for a short distance until it flattens out but continues twisting and turning. Runners will reach a “T” in the road where they take a left hand turn. You will follow along the beautiful rim for a short time before heading up a steep ledgy section to the Pizza Overlook Aid Station.

Pizza Overlook: (10K) Take a left at the Aid Station on the rugged jeep road back to Crossroads Aid Station #2, then back over the cattle guard and to the Finish Line.

(Half Marathon) Travel on the open rolling section of Mary’s Loop until hitting the Wrangler’s Loop cutoff. Make a sharp left. Some sections will be loose or sandy but overall there is good footing. A nice decent will bring racers to the Moore Fun Aid Station.

Moore Fun: The trail becomes rocky and technical as it makes the big climb to the top of this fun section. After it levels off for a short distance, the trail will make a fun technical decent to the cattleguard. From there, you will go back the same way you came, down the short steep section to the dirt road and along the double-track to the finish.

10K

Runners head out the gently rolling dirt road for a mile until they take a sharp right turn for 0.3mi to the top of the hill. From there, the first Aid Station is visible and racers cross the cattle guard, staying on the road, and head down the steep hill to the Crossroads Aid Station.

Crossroads #1: Both distances will head out from the Aid Station down the steep, rocky gully for a short distance until it flattens out but continues twisting and turning. Runners will reach a “T” in the road where they take a left hand turn. You will follow along the beautiful rim for a short time before heading up a steep ledgy section to the Pizza Overlook Aid Station.

Pizza Overlook: (10K) Take a left at the Aid Station on the rugged jeep road back to Crossroads Aid Station #2, then back over the cattle guard and to the Finish Line.

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Date: April 14 - 16, 2023

Location: Hawkeye Trailhead off of Mack Exit

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