Rim Rock Marathon and Half Marathon

The Rim Rock Marathon and Half Marathon take place on Rim Rock Drive within Colorado National Monument. Both races utilize the monument road above the Grand Valley, near Fruita and Grand Junction, Colorado. The marathon begins early in the morning, followed later by the half marathon. Both are chip-timed road races, featuring mile markers every two miles. The point-to-point nature requires shuttle use, as no parking is available at either start line. The course is the primary draw: runners traverse the monument's landscape on Rim Rock Drive, passing overlooks and enjoying high desert views of the valley. Spectators are restricted from the monument interior, making the event focused on the runners, the road, and aid stations rather than crowd noise. Entry provides event apparel, a finisher medal, and monument access. The day concludes at the Fruita Community Center with food, showers, and a post-race gathering. Course records are notably fast for the challenging terrain: 2:40:09 for the marathon and 1:06:45 for the half.