The perfect way to end the Colorado tri season. The Desert's Edge Tri Festival brings you two days of racing, a weekend of camping with other triathletes and their fans, and a fun end to the Colorado Tri Season. Desert's Edge weekend includes an XTERRA Tri on Saturday, your choice of Sprint or Olympic distance road tri's on Sunday, and $1,000 in Club Cash Prizes split among the top-3 clubs in the weekend's point standings!

Camping is available right at the race site, just 200 yards from the start and finish line. Enjoy great post-race food, and a fun early fall weekend of the 2017 season. All just a few short hours from Denver!

REGISTRATION DETAILS:
Your registration includes: Deserts Edge Triathlon visor hat* made by Headsweats, $10 meal ticket to any of the food vendors on site, plenty of goodies from our sponsors, and a chance for some post-race raffle goods and podium prizes! * Register by 05/30/2017 to be guaranteed a hat! *

To register now, click on the green "Register Now" button near the top of this screen or click on the following link: REGISTER NOW >> 

REGISTRATION PRICE NOTICE: You will see that the individual prices are listed at $0 on the first registration page. Your price will change on the following page, based on your category selection (junior, elites, open, etc). Relay teams only have one categories, thus their prices are listed on the first page of registration.

Below are prices for the various categories. 
 

CAMPING:
Camping within Highline Lake State Park will be available for race participants for $30 per night per group (a maximum of 6 people per group). Camping is just 100 yards from transition and the start/finish areas.

Campsites within the park have been removed from the State Parks online reservation system for the weekend of the race so that Desert's Edge participants will not have to compete with the general public for camping space. Instead, you will be given the option of reserving a site when you sign up for the race online. There will be no refunds of camping fees for any reason

You may also reserve a campsite with us by phone or mail if you decide, at a later date, that you would like to camp. Please be aware that sites are limited within the park, and all sites are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. We will do everything we can to accommodate as many participants as possible, however if demand exceeds available space, then campsites may sell out.

On race weekend, the normal campground layout will not apply - instead the park will use a festival-style layout. Several groups will be assigned to each regular campsite - typically one RV or trailer in the driveway, and tent campers in the large grassy area in the vicinity of that driveway. Campsites will be limited to one vehicle per group. Additional vehicles will be parked in the main parking lot.

There are no RV hookups in the park (water, electric, sewage) so please plan accordingly. Shower and restroom facilities are located in the main campground building. Additional port-o-potties will also be placed in the campground. We also ask that campers please leave their dogs at home due to issues we experienced in previous years. The $7 per vehicle State Park fee will be waived on race day. If you will be camping additional nights, you will be required to pay this fee for the additional day you will be in the park. If you have a valid 2017 State Parks pass, this fee will not be charged.

HOTELS:
There are a number of hotels in the Fruita area, just a 15 minute drive from the race site. September is a busy month for them, so they have not provided discount codes. Instead, they recommend using a website like Expedia or Travelocity to get the lowest rates.


Hotels include La Quinta, Super 8, and Comfort Inn
 

RACE SCHEDULE: Friday: 2:00 p.m. - Early Packet Pick-Up Opens 5:00 p.m. - Early Packet Pick-Up Closes Saturday: 6:30 a.m. - Race-Day Packet Pick-Up Opens 6:30 a.m. - Transition Opens 8:00 a.m. - Lake Opens to Warm-Up Swimming 8:30 a.m. - First XTERRA Swim Wave Starts 8:30 a.m. - Wave-1 9:10 a.m. - Wave-2 9:00 a.m. - Transition Closes 10:00 a.m. - Lunch Opens!!! 11:30 a.m. - Awards Presentation* 2:00 p.m. - Early Packet Pick-Up Opens 5:00 p.m. - Early Packet Pick-Up Closes Sunday: 6:30 a.m. - Race-Day Packet Pick-Up Opens 6:30 a.m. - Transition Opens 8:00 a.m. - Lake Opens to Warm-Up Swimming 8:15 a.m. - Youth Triathlon Starts 8:30 a.m. - Transition Closes 8:30 a.m. - First Olympic Swim Wave Starts 9:10 a.m. - First Sprint Swim Wave Starts 10:15 a.m. - Lunch Opens!!! 11:30 a.m. - Sprint Awards Presentation* 12:15 a.m. - Olympic Awards Presentation*

*Awards times may be moved a bit depending on the number of athletes still on course.

CONTACT US:
Most questions are answered right here on the race website. We also post regular updates on our Facebook Page(no Facebook account is required - this page is open to the public). If you have a question that isn't answered here, call John at 970-744-4450, or shoot us an email at [email protected].

PACKET PICK-UP:
We will offer three packet pick-up options in 2017. You may pick up your packet on Friday September 9th from 4-7pm or Saturday September 10th from 2-5pm at Highline Lake State Park. You may also pick up your packet on your race morning starting at 6:30am in the expo area, immediately adjacent to the transition and finish line. Please remember to bring your photo ID and your valid USAT card (if a USAT annual member) to pick up your race packet. If you do not have an ID, we cannot release your packet to you, and you will not be allowed to race.

Friday and Saturday packet pick-up will take place at Highline Lake State Park from 2pm - 5pm immediately adjacent to transition. Please remember your photo ID. We cannot allow you to pick up your packet or race unless you present a photo ID at packet pick-up. There will be no park entrance fees charged if you are coming for packet pick-up only, however you will be limited to a 20 minute stay in the park. If you would like to stay longer than 20 minutes so you can check out the course, etc. then you must purchase a $7 daily park pass. There will be no park entrance fees charged for participants on race morning.

Race-Day packet pick-up will open at 6:30am in the expo area, immediately adjacent to transition and the finish area. Please remember your photo ID. We cannot allow you to pick up your packet or race unless you present a photo ID at packet pick-up.

USAT LICENSE:
The 2017 Desert's Edge Tri Festival is a USAT Sanctioned event. All participants must be annual members of USA Triathlon, or purchase a $15 one-day license during registration for each day or racing. If you would like to purchase an annual USAT membership, you may do so at www.usatriathlon.org.


DIRECTIONS:
The race will be staged at Highline Lake State Park, just 7 miles north of I-70 off the Loma exit. Click here for a map and directions.

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XTERRA (Saturday)
The XTERRA Fruita Triathlon starts off with a 600 meter swim with a 50 meter run on the beach, and another 600 meter swim in the awesome waters of Highline Lake, a 13 mile mix of single track and double track course on the beginner friendly mountain bike trails inside Highline State Park, and finishes with a 4.5 mile run that can be described as scenic and interesting!

When you register you'll be asked to rank your mountain bike ability between Pro/Expert and Intermediate/Beginner. This is to place you in the appropriate waves for the race day. There will be two starting waves separated by 40 minutes. This will give wave-1 athletes (the faster mountain bikers) time to clear the first lap before the second wave of athletes hits the bike course, thus eliminating the need for the faster riders to pass other riders on the course. It means a more enjoyable ride for everyone!

REGISTRATION INFO:
This event is limited to 300 competitors; please register early to take advantage of the discounted pricing.

JUNIORS DISCOUNT (19 & Under) - Juniors get $10 off standard adult entry!

To register now, click on the green "Register Now" button near the top of this screen or click on the following link: REGISTER NOW >> 

COURSE INFORMATION:
Swim: (MAP) The 1,200 meter swim will be a multiple out-and-back course in beautiful Highline Lake, starting at the swim beach just below transition and the finish line. Swimmers will swim out 600 meters, and return to the beach, run approximately 50 yards across the beach before hopping back into the water and swimming the final 600 meters. Their bikes will be waiting for them in the main transition area. There will be two starting waves separated by 40 minutes. This will give wave-1 athletes (the faster mountain bikers) time to clear the first lap before the second wave of athletes hits the bike course, thus eliminating the need for the faster riders to pass other riders on the course. It means a more enjoyable ride for everyone!"

Bike Course: (MAP) The 13 mile bike course is a fun 2-lap course that follows a mix of single and double-track trails within highline Lake State Park. Much of this trail system is used for the popular 18 Hours of Fruita mountain bike race. This course is fast and fun! Athletes will be seeded by bike and swim ability to ensure a clear course for all participants! The bike course will finish at the main transition area, adjacent to the finish line.

Run Course: (MAP) The 4.5 mile run course follows the rolling trails on the bluffs overlooking Highline Lake. This course is 99 percent soft dirt, and 1 percent paved. The finish will be in the grass picnic area immediately adjacent to transition. A map will be posted shortly.

Transition: The main transition area will be located in a large grassy area, that will be very easy on the feet. Transition is just 30 yards from the water's edge, and 100 yards from camping!!! The area will be fenced for security. Only participants will be allowed within the fenced transition area. This is where you will transition from bike to run, and where the start and finish are located.

TECH SUPPORT:
LTR Sports, in Grand Junction, will be providing race-day tech support for the race. No, they can't do a complete tune-up for you on race morning, but if your bike needs a last minute adjustment or repair, they can help! They will also be roving the bike course at Sunday's events to help with emergency repairs. If you are in the Grand Junction area prior to race day, be sure to stop in for any supplies or repair you may need.

POST-RACE FUN - RESULTS - AWARDS:
We'll have plenty of good food to fill your belly at our post-race picnic! Participant meals are included in your entry fee. There will be a limited number of picnic lunches available for purchase by spectators on race day. We will also award lots of sponsor merchandise and gift certificates at random during our awards presentation - everyone is eligible for these random prizes, so be sure to stick around!!!

Each finisher (all races) will take home a 2017 Desert's Edge finisher award! These will be given as you exit the finish chute.

RESULTS: Race results will be posted on-site throughout the race, and on this website on the afternoon of the race. Participants must wear their timing chip and cross the timing mat at the finish line in order to receive an official time. All timing chips must be returned at the finish line to avoid a lost chip charge. Results will only be edited (for misspelled names, etc.) for two weeks following the event.

SATURDAY XTERRA: The top-3 male and female overall finishers in the off-road tri will take home merchandise awards. In addition, awards will be presented to the top-3 male and female finishers age 19 & under, and in each 5-year age group starting with 20-24, as well as Clydesdale, Athena, and Physically Challenged categories. Awards will also be presented to the first place relay team in Male, Female, and Coed relay divisions. Overall winners will be excluded from age group awards. We will not have a pro/elite category, however elite participants will be eligible for overall merchandise awards. Elites will not be eligible for age group awards.

COLLARED LIZARD-MAN AWARDS: Collared Lizard-Man Awards will be presented to the man and woman with the fastest combined times in the Saturday Off-Road and Sunday Olympic, and to the man and woman with the fastest combined times in the Saturday Off-Road and the Sunday Sprint, for a total of four Collared Lizard-Man Awards!

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Olympic/Sprint (Sunday)
The Desert's Edge Tri Festival returns for a 6th year, giving triathletes a weekend to remember! Sunday's sprint & Olympic triathlons offer two of the best road courses you will find in Colorado! Join us for Desert's Edge weekend, and enjoy camping with friends, swimming, biking, and running in a beautiful setting, and experiencing an amazing tri weekend in Fruita!

REGISTRATION INFO:
This event is limited to 500 competitors combined fields; please register early to take advantage of the discounted pricing.

JUNIORS DISCOUNT (19 & Under) - Juniors get $10 off standard adult entry!

To register now, click on the green "Register Now" button near the top of this screen or click on the following link: REGISTER NOW >> 

FIRST TIMERS SWIM WAVE:
The first timers swim wave will go last in the sprint distance event. This wave will be capped at a small 50 athletes each to maintain a small and friendly 1st race experience.  
 
Please note: athletes in this wave will not be eligible for age-group awards.  When you register simply check off first timer division instead of age-group division to enter this wave.  Also note that this wave is for athletes competing in their first ever triathlon or brand new to the sport.

COURSE INFORMATION:
The Desert's Edge Tri Festival offers two road triathlon distance options on Sunday - a 750 meter swim, 13.2 mile bike, 5K run sprint tri and a 1,500 meter swim, 40K (24.8 mile) bike, 10K run Olympic distance tri. Both races are staged at Highline Lake State Park in Fruita, and feature spectacular courses in the heart of the Grand Valley.

Swim Course: (OLYMPIC MAP / SPRINT MAP) Both swim distances will be contested over a single loop course in beautiful Highline Lake. Olympic distance triathletes will go first for a single lap around the 1,500 meter counter-clockwise loop. Water temp is expected to be in the mid-70's on race morning. From the water's edge, it will be a short 50 meter dash to transition. Sprint distance athletes will hit the water 40 minutes after the first Olympic wave and will complete a single loop of the 750 meter swim course. The 750 meter swim loop is an abbreviated version of the larger Olympic loop.

Bike Course: (OLYMPIC MAP / SPRINT MAP) The Sprint Tri Bike Course (map) follows a 13.2 mile counter-clockwise loop on smooth paved rural country roads. The Olympic Tri Bike Course follows the same rolling loop, and adds an scenic out & back section with a water bottle hand-up at approximately 15 miles into the course, totaling up to 24.5 miles.

Run Course: (OLYMPIC MAP / SPRINT MAP) The run course will follow gently rolling trails around Highline Lake with two aid stations per lap. The 5K sprint course makes one lap of the course. The 10K Olympic course makes two laps of the course, which follows the Highline Lake Trail. This course is 98 percent soft dirt surface, and 2 percent paved. The finish will be in the grass picnic area immediately adjacent to transition.

Transition: The transition area will be located in a large grassy area, that will be very easy on the feet. Transition is just 30 yards from the water's edge, and 100 yards from camping!!! The area will be fenced for security. Only participants will be allowed within the fenced transition area.

TECH SUPPORT:
LTR Sports, in Grand Junction, will be providing race-day tech support for the race. No, they can't do a complete tune-up for you on race morning, but if your bike needs a last minute adjustment or repair, they can help! They will also be roving the bike course at Sunday's events to help with emergency repairs. If you are in the Grand Junction area prior to race day, be sure to stop in for any supplies or repair you may need.

POST-RACE FUN - RESULTS - AWARDS:
We'll have plenty of good food to fill your belly at our post-race picnic! Participant meals are included in your entry fee. There will be a limited number of picnic lunches available for purchase by spectators on race day. We will also award lots of sponsor merchandise and gift certificates at random during our awards presentation - everyone is eligible for these random prizes, so be sure to stick around!!!

Each finisher (all races) will take home a 2017 Desert's Edge finisher award! These will be given as you exit the finish chute.

RESULTS: Race results will be posted on-site throughout the race, and on this website on the afternoon of the race. Participants must wear their timing chip and cross the timing mat at the finish line in order to receive an official time. All timing chips must be returned at the finish line to avoid a lost chip charge. Results will only be edited (for misspelled names, etc.) for two weeks following the event.

SUNDAY SPRINT & OLYMPIC AWARDS:
We have scheduled two award presentations - one for the sprint and one for the Olympic. Award times may be adjusted depending the number of participants still on course. The top-3 male and female overall finishers in the sprint and Olympic will take home merchandise awards. In addition, awards will be presented to the top-3 male and female finishers age 19 & under, and in each 5-year age group starting with 20-24 as well as Clydesdale and Athena categories. Awards will also be presented to the first place relay team in Male, Female, and Coed relay divisions. Overall winners will be excluded from age group awards. We will not have a pro/elite category, however elite participants will be eligible for overall merchandise awards. Elites will not be eligible for age group awards.

COLLARED LIZARD-MAN AWARDS: Collared Lizard-Man Awards will be presented to the man and woman with the fastest combined times in the Saturday Off-Road and Sunday Olympic, and to the man and woman with the fastest combined times in the Saturday Off-Road and the Sunday Sprint, for a total of four Collared Lizard-Man Awards!