Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB 21K fueling plan
Where every Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB 21K water and gel station falls at your pace, plus a carb and sodium plan built for your finish time.
Course route from organiser maps and OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL). Map tiles by Esri. Check the official course before race day.
Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB 21K
Sunday 11 April, 8:30 start
- Distance
- 21.4 km
- Aid stations
- 3
- Gels on the course
- Mile 1.7, 3.0 and 7.1
Something wrong with this course? Email us
Want training-aware nutrition around this race? See Mavr on the App Store
General guidance for healthy adults, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or registered dietitian if you have a health condition, take medicines or have special dietary needs. Caffeine advice is for healthy adults only. EFSA's safe limit is 200 mg in one dose and 400 mg in a day.
Every Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB 21K aid station, and when you reach it
Time on the clock from your start, at an even pace. The orange dot marks the gel stations.
| Distance | What is there | 1:40 finish | 2:00 finish | 2:20 finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mile 1.7 (2.7 km) | Crossroads Aid Station, food, medical, Naak products | 0:13 | 0:15 | 0:18 |
| Mile 3 (4.8 km) | Pizza Overlook Aid Station, food, medical, Naak products | 0:23 | 0:27 | 0:32 |
| Mile 7.1 (11.4 km) | Moore Fun Aid Station, food, medical, Naak products, 11:00 AM cut-off | 0:53 | 1:04 | 1:15 |
From the organizer's published course information. Check the runner information again in race week.
Sample plans for three finish times
Built for a 70 kg runner in mild weather with Maurten Gel 100 (25 g) and water at the aid stations. Pick how much carbohydrate you want to aim for. Your own plan changes with your weight, gel and the weather.
A middle target most runners can train up to.
1:40 finish
7:31 per mile
- 50 g carbs per hour
- 3 gels, first at 0:20 (Mile 2.7 (4.3 km))
- 600 to 900 ml fluid per hour
2:00 finish
9:01 per mile
- 50 g carbs per hour
- 4 gels, first at 0:20 (Mile 2.2 (3.6 km))
- 600 to 900 ml fluid per hour
2:20 finish
10:31 per mile
- 50 g carbs per hour
- 4 gels, first at 0:20 (Mile 1.9 (3.1 km))
- 600 to 900 ml fluid per hour
1:40 finish
7:31 per mile
- 60 g carbs per hour
- 3 gels, first at 0:20 (Mile 2.7 (4.3 km))
- 600 to 900 ml fluid per hour
2:00 finish
9:01 per mile
- 60 g carbs per hour
- 4 gels, first at 0:20 (Mile 2.2 (3.6 km))
- 600 to 900 ml fluid per hour
2:20 finish
10:31 per mile
- 60 g carbs per hour
- 5 gels, first at 0:20 (Mile 1.9 (3.1 km))
- 600 to 900 ml fluid per hour
1:40 finish
7:31 per mile
- 75 g carbs per hour
- 4 gels, first at 0:20 (Mile 2.7 (4.3 km))
- 600 to 900 ml fluid per hour
2:00 finish
9:01 per mile
- 75 g carbs per hour
- 5 gels, first at 0:20 (Mile 2.2 (3.6 km))
- 600 to 900 ml fluid per hour
2:20 finish
10:31 per mile
- 75 g carbs per hour
- 6 gels, first at 0:20 (Mile 1.9 (3.1 km))
- 600 to 900 ml fluid per hour
Race-day facts
- Date
- Sunday, 11 April 2027
- Start
- 8:30
- Distance
- 13.3 miles (21.4 km)
Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB 21K fueling FAQ
Where are the water stations on the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB 21K?
There are 3 aid stations, at Mile 1.7 (2.7 km), Mile 3 (4.8 km) and Mile 7.1 (11.4 km). 0 of them list water.
Are there gels on the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB 21K course?
Yes, the organizer lists gels at Mile 1.7 (2.7 km), Mile 3 (4.8 km) and Mile 7.1 (11.4 km). Carry your own as well, so your plan does not depend on a single table.
When does the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB 21K start?
The race is on Sunday, 11 April 2027, starting at 8:30 local time. Check the organizer's runner information in race week, since wave times can change.
How many gels do I need for the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB 21K?
It depends on your finish time and how much carbohydrate you have practised taking. At a steady target, a 2:00 finish uses about 4 gels of 25 g, or 60 g of carbs per hour. Enter your own pace, weight and gel in the calculator to get your number.