Races Marathon · Fruita, USA
Rim Rock Marathon
Rim Rock Marathon is a hilly marathon in Fruita, USA, held each November. A point-to-point course along Rim Rock Drive through Colorado National Monument, from Grand Junction towards Fruita, with climbs early on and a net downhill run to the finish in Fruita. Early November on the Colorado high desert is usually cold at the start, around 0 to 5°C, and mild by midday at 10 to 15°C. A course as hilly as Rim Rock Marathon must be trained for specifically — long-run routes should mimic its climbs and descents.
Page rebuilt 2026-11-14 · race facts not independently verified — confirm dates and entries on the official race site
When
November
every year
Course
hilly
Marathon
Conditions
Early November on the Colorado high desert is usually cold at the start, around 0 to 5°C, and mild by midday at 10 to 15°C.
Racing this course well
A point-to-point course along Rim Rock Drive through Colorado National Monument, from Grand Junction towards Fruita, with climbs early on and a net downhill run to the finish in Fruita.
A course as hilly as Rim Rock Marathon must be trained for specifically — long-run routes should mimic its climbs and descents.
Getting a place
Official Rim Rock Marathon site →Checked November 2026
Race day
- Start time
- 07:30
- Time limit
- Staged cutoffs: mile 6 at 09:15, mile 12.2 at 11:00, mile 17.9 at 12:30
- Also on the day
- half-marathon
The course in numbers
Mile markers appear every 2 miles. Runners are bused from the Fruita Community Center to the start, and spectators are not allowed on the Monument.
- Layout
- Point-to-point
- Surface
- Road through Colorado National Monument
Worth knowing
- The 2026 race on 1 November is billed as the 30th edition.
- The finish is at Circle Park in downtown Fruita.
- Proceeds support Colorado Mesa University track and cross country scholarships.
Getting there
- Nearest airport
- Grand Junction Regional (GJT)
Pick your goal for Fruita
Pace charts, weekly structure and timelines for the most common marathon goals:
We don’t hold a confirmed date for this edition, so any countdown comes from the date you enter here.
Build your training around Rim Rock Marathon.
RunV works backwards from race day to today. Your plan adapts when life interrupts, and you approve every change. It does not adapt to this specific course — the pacing guidance above is where the course knowledge is.
Everything above stays free and complete — this is an optional next step, not a paywall.
Asked often
- When is the Rim Rock Marathon?
- It is held each November in Fruita, USA. Check the official Rim Rock Marathon site for the exact date and entry windows.
- Is the Rim Rock Marathon course flat?
- A point-to-point course along Rim Rock Drive through Colorado National Monument, from Grand Junction towards Fruita, with climbs early on and a net downhill run to the finish in Fruita.
- How should I train for the Rim Rock Marathon?
- Match your preparation to Rim Rock Marathon's profile and the November weather, then protect consistency — with RunV Premium you can adapt your plan to fit your week, so one bad week never derails the block.
Not sure what to target? Predict your marathon time from a recent race →
More marathon races
Supplements research for this distance
Build for Fruita — around your actual life
RunV engineers your block backwards from race day in November — and adapts it when training doesn't go to script. You approve every change.
