One of the most beloved endurance events on the western slope. With a fast and fun singletrack lap located within the “posh environs” of Highline Lake State Park, with its green grass and warm showers, makes this a great race to kick off the season.

IMPORTANT CAMPING & PARK INFORMATION FROM THE STAFF AT HIGHLINE LAKE STATE PARK!!

Camping in the park is included in the entry fee for TEAM MEMBERS only, (Friday and Saturday night). Spectators, support and family members will be charged $10/car to enter the park as well as a camping fee if they are planning to stay. To alleviate any hurt feelings, it is important that team members inform ANYONE else who is attending with you that they will be charged the park entrance and camping fee. The event also uses all available camping and no additional camping is available during the event. Vehicles without the pass allowing them into the campground will not be allowed into the campground except to unload and not again until Sunday. Park staff does not have the manpower to watch vehicles coming in and out of the campground and this rule is in effect to protect you and your property!

Event camping is available from Friday, 8 am-Sunday, 11 am. ALL TEAMS MUST KNOW THEIR TEAM NAME & TEAM SIZE UPON ARRIVAL AS THEY WILL BE DIRECTED TO CAMPING BASED ON THAT INFORMATION-REMEMBER, THE EVENT BEGINS AT NIGHT, WHICH COULD CAUSE SOME DELAYS IN FINDING YOUR CAMPING SPOT IF YOU ARRIVE AFTER SUNSET!

PLEASE CARPOOL, CARPOOL, CARPOOL – the park cannot accommodate everyone’s vehicle if EVERYONE drives so please CARPOOL to insure plenty of parking for all.

Camping before and after the event must be made through Park Manager Alan Martinez at alanc.martinez@state.co.us For those choosing to arrive a day early, the Park is taking all camping sites off the reservation system THURSDAY night prior to the event. Camping fees are ($28/site). All remaining teams may begin arriving 8 AM Friday to make it easier for everyone to be accommodated and make their setup easier. If you are bringing ANY type of CAMPER, RV, etc., you need to contact the park DIRECTLY with this information with your team name and size BY APRIL 1. ALL RV’s, campers, and car campers over 20′ will be directed to the paved lot. Only cars & small SUV’s will be allowed in the campground due to space limitations. Those in paved parking are no more than 100 yards from the camping area at the farthest point. If a small camper is in the campground no other vehicle will be allowed for the team. All other teams will be allowed 1 vehicle per team in the campground and any other vehicles will be parked in the overflow area. If you have a team larger than 2 people and are planning to set up in the day-use area, you MUST NOTIFY THE PARK. This information is imperative for the park staff. CONTACT Alan Martinez: alanc.martinez@state.co.us with any of the above information. All solo and 2 person teams will be placed in the shady day-use areas and will not have fire pits. Portable fire pits are allowed to be brought into the park if you would like to have a campfire. Solo participants are limited to 1 vehicle and all 4 person or larger teams will be limited to 2 vehicles, with only one being allowed in the campground. Solo riders are allowed 1 person for support.  If any other family or friends come they will need to pay the $56.00 camping fee for 2 nights for up to 6 additional people.  If they have the KCW pass they do not have to pay the $10.00 per vehicle.

Also, no cars are allowed to park on the grass anywhere in the park; those ignoring this directive will be subject to a citation as this has been abused. Park Rangers will be available to assist you in locating your campsite beginning at 8 am, Friday, (which has been pre-assigned based on team size). Please do not arrive earlier and park anywhere as they will have to relocate you which will potentially cause delays for you and other teams. ALL Campsites are within 50-150 yards of the start/finish/party area. Solo participants will be placed closest and adjacent to the course. Please adhere to their instructions. Your cooperation here is much appreciated, the park staff works very hard to make this event a success. Thank you in advance!

ADDITIONAL PARK INFORMATION!!

RECYCLE – The event is working with the Colorado State Park to help us recycle. They will have recycling containers available-your assistance is much appreciated.

WEATHER – the average high during this time of year is upper 60’s-low 80’s. It can get chilly at night, especially around the lake with an average of low in the 40’s-50’s, so please plan accordingly.

FIREWOOD -is available for purchase at the park.

DOGS – Please keep in mind dogs at participatory events are an increasing problem. We ask that you to leave your dog at home during this event, as not everyone is comfortable around animals. If you still choose to bring a dog, they are to be leashed at all times as this is state law and the event is entirely within the state park. Rangers will write tickets to those that do not comply. If ANY dog causes a problem on the course, or in the park, the dog and its owner will be asked to leave for the duration of the event. Also, NO dogs will be allowed in the party area after the event.

REGISTRATION CHECK-IN is 5 pm -10 pm in the park (timing tent). Bike numbers/t-shirts will be given to ONE member of the team who is to be responsible for the remainder of the team. Deadline for Team Changes is April 2 (Please have your team roster completely filled by this date.) After April 2, no emails with name changes will be accepted.

Last Minute Changes (add person/delete person, team name change, etc.) are discouraged. If needed, we will accommodate these changes at the Registration Check in during the Friday Check in Period before the Event Start. Due to the difficulty to accomplish these changes on site, there is a fee of $25/per change.

Since it acts as a waiver, the form at check-in must be completed and signed. REMEMBER THERE IS A $10/PERSON CHANGE FEE that began APRIL 2 so don’t delay and will also be collected on-site. 

AFTER PARTY- from 5:30 – 7:30 pm Saturday with free beer. Dispensed beer will not be allowed outside our permitted party area. All other beer (personal supply) must comply with state law.

WE DO NOT HAVE A LIGHT SPONSOR so plan on having a light with you upon arrival.

CELL PHONE CHARGING-electricity is limited at the campgrounds so DO NOT expect to have a charging station for cell phones. DO NOT ask the timing tent to charge your phones as they will have computers and a sound system pulling power. Bring your own car charger and plan on using it. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Entry Fee’s

EARLY BIRD FEES thru September 14, 2024
Solo $200
2-4 Person $650
5-8 Person $850

FEES beginning September 15, 2024-January 14, 2025
Solo $220
2-4 Person $690
5-8 Person $900

LATE FEES beginning January 16, 2024-April 21, 2024
Solo $240
2-4 Person $730
5-8 Person $950

Entry Fee Includes:

• colorful commemorative “tech” t-shirt

• post-event libations

• 2 days of camping Friday & Saturday night at Highline Lake State Park for registered participants (this does not include family & friends)

TEAM REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Team captains may register their team and then complete their team member information later. HOWEVER, please try to complete teams by April 14th as the park service needs a list of teams and participants to assign camp sites. They also will use the list to allow participants entrance into the park. Any team changes/additions on Friday May 2nd for packet pickup will cost $25 per change.

The 5-8 person class is an OPEN category-this means you can be male, female, or coed, and will be competing in one award category which is OPEN. You may also compete as a COED GEEZER team in the 5-8 category (see below requirements).

COED GEEZER CATEGORY (2-4 & 5-8)-Team’s age total must be an average of 50 yrs per person with the youngest age allowed is 45 yrs (i.e. 5 person must equal 250, 6 person 300, etc.). TEAMS MUST BE COED to participate in the Geezer category and meet the above age requirements.

TEAM MEMBER ADDITION INFORMATION

Click on the “Sign Up” button on the upper right corner of page , select your Team Category and then continue with registration and make sure you select your team from the drop-down.

How to Manage your Registration

1. Sign into your account at WWW.RUNSIGNUP.COM

2. Click ‘My Account’ in the upper right corner

3. Select ‘Registrations’ on the left sidebar

4. Find your 2025 18 Hours of Fruita registration

5. Click on the actions icon in the top right corner and select ‘View Registration’

From here you can use the “Edit” link to make changes to registration details

Team Captain – How to Manage your Team

1. Sign into your account at WWW.RUNSIGNUP.COM 

    

2. Go to your profile page by clicking on the profile icon in the upper right corner and choose Profile

    

3. Find 18 Hours of Fruita and click on “Manage Registration”.

From Manage Registration you can do any of the following:

• Change your current group/team type

• Sign waiver

• Look at answers to questions asked

• Change your team name and more!

NO REFUND POLICY

As of 2023, all registrations made through our Registration Vendor (Runsignup) are Non-Refundable and non-deferrable. At the sole discretion of the Management of the event, we may offer the ability to swap a team from a waitlist (if a waitlist exists) with a team looking to opt out of doing the event. We will facilitate contact with both parties (e.g. participant and waitlist entry) to workout payment for entry.  There is no guarantee of a waitlist entry being available for any of the categories, and management reserves the right to not offer this opportunity.

Minimum Age Requirement: All participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the waiver. Additionally, all participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present on-site for the duration of the event. Participants must be a minimum of 14 years of age.

Participant/Registration Support

The participant contact email for 18 Hours of Fruita registration is info@timingconsortium.com

Runsignup participant help articles can be found here: https://help.runsignup.com

Please use the CONTACT button on the main web page at https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/Loma/18HoursofFruita for all questions not covered on the website. 

18 Hours of Fruita - Park Information and Camping Request

Team Captains - Please read carefully and pass information along to your teammates.                                                                                                                          Highline Lake State Park is proud to serve as the annual venue for 18 Hours of Fruita and we need your help to keep the event running smoothly.

Upon arrival to the park, all racers must check in at the Visitor Center to get campsite assignment. Racers will need to know their team name and team size, which is how campsites are assigned. This check-in is separate from packet pick-up, which typically occurs at the timing tent. 

Park Rangers and Volunteers will be available to assist you in finding your campsite as early as 1pm on Friday (which will have been preassigned). If you choose to arrive and camp on Thursday, your race event registration fees will not cover you. You will be responsible for the $28 campsite fee and the $10 vehicle pass for each vehicle, unless you have a valid annual vehicle pass. Please indicate on the link below if you plan to arrive early.

Spectators, support, and family members are not covered by event registration fees will be charged for camping and vehicle entrance fees. Those who are not racing and plan to stay overnight will be charged $56 for camping (the normal camping rate for two nights). Please indicate on the form on the link below if you plan to have spectators, support, or family members.

The park’s biggest limitation is parking and campsites. Please carpool if possible. All solo and 2 person teams will be placed in the Day Use Area versus the campground so these spaces will not have fire rings for campfires. You are welcome to bring a raised fire ring (no heat on the ground).

Parking on the grass or off-road under any circumstance is NOT PERMITTED. Vehicles parking on the grass will be subject to citation. 

Please limit the number of campers and plan to tent camp. The early May weather is perfect tent-camping weather! Each team will be limited to one camping trailer per team not to exceed 25 feet. If your camper is longer than 25 feet or your team brings more than one camper, you will be directed to camp in the parking lot near the East Boat Ramp based on availability.

Please keep in mind that dogs are an increasing issue and we had an attendee bit by a dog during the 2023 event. We ask that you leave your dog at home, as everyone is not comfortable around animals. If you still choose to bring a dog, you must adhere to the state law and leave your dog leashed and attended at all times. If any dog causes a problem on the course or in the park, the dog and its owner will be evicted from the park immediately. 

Alan Martinez, Park Manager
alanc.martinez@state.co.us

Ashlee Wallace, Senior Ranger
ashlee.wallace@state.co.us

Highline Lake State Park1800 11 8/10 Road, Loma, CO 81524
970-858-7208
dnr_highline.park@state.co.us

Link for the camper registration form: 

Camper Registration

All tracking for participants on the course for friends, relatives, teammates can be done via RaceJoy!

Click here for live tracking how-to instructions.

To get the most out of your RaceJoy experience, view these Battery Preservation Tips.

www.racejoy.com

Award Categories are as follows:

Top 3 in each category
Solo-M/F
2-4 Person-M/F/Coed/Coed Geezer
5-8 Person-Open & Coed Geezer

18 HRS OF FRUITA RULES

Please have all team members read below the rules of the event (print a copy for your team as we will post a copy at the timing tent).

PLEASE NOTE: NO e-bikes are allowed at this time, this may change in the future, with an e-bike Category. But for now, please leave them at home, Thanks

1. Racers may choose to race in any order and may change the order at any time.

2. Racers may continue on for more than 1 lap but must check-in after each lap.

3. Each team member must complete at least one lap or the team will be disqualified.

4. Coed teams must have at least 1 member of the opposite sex.

5. Racers must display their race number on their bike at all times.

6. Teams are required to provide their own hydration system and lighting system throughout the event.

7. No course support will be provided by the event.

8. Water and food may be supplied to any racer, at the transition area, as long as the racer and support is off the course and does not interfere with the race. Interference with other racers will result in disqualification.

9. Lapped racers must yield. Please be vocal as it’s the responsibility of the challenging racer to overtake safely. Racers being lapped must yield as soon as safely possible.

10. Lights must be turned-on at 12 midnight.

11. Short-cutting the course is not allowed. This will result in immediate disqualification.

12. Quiet hours will be imposed from 2 am until 7 a.m. During this time, noise must be kept to a minimum.

13. Order of finish is determined by number of laps, then by time.

14. Once results are posted, teams will have 15 minutes to challenge results at which time they will become official. We recommend that you monitor your team’s progress and compare it with the “official scorers” as the event is progressing to avoid any problems at the conclusion.

15. One person must be designated as the Captain of the team to ensure the team is registered correctly (information is correct), and to deal with event officials in the event of problems or concerns.

16. The event director has final say in any ruling, including rulings made by staff/volunteers.

For safety reasons, the event reserves the right to cancel or change a portion of the course if inclement weather or dangerous conditions exist. Instructions will be given at that time as to how to proceed should this occur. If cancelled, final results will be based on completed laps at the time the event was called.

TRANSGENDER POLICY

The term 'Transgender' is used in this Policy to refer to individuals whose gender
identity (i.e. how they identify) is different from the gender assigned to them at birth.
Non-Elite Competition

At non-elite competition levels, a member may self-select their gender. In the event

that a question should arise about a member’s eligibility to participate in a
manner consistent with their gender, any member may file a grievance with 18 Hours of Fruita officials. 

• In such a situation, criteria that may be used to determine a member’s eligibility in a chosen gender                                  include evidence of one or more of the following:

• Does the member’s gender in their “everyday life” match their specified racing gender?

• Has the member obtained civil documents with their racing gender identified (i.e. state I.D., driver’s license, birth certificate)?

• Attestation of gender identity from a medical professional.

• Attestation of gender identity from a certified counselor, public official, school administrator, or other academic advisor.

• Compliance with UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) guidelines (below).

The UCI revised its Eligibility Regulations for Transgender Athletes effective July 1, 2022, which may be found in Chapter 5, Part 13 Medical Rules of the UCI regulations.

The main points of the regulations are:

1. Those who transition from female to male (FTM) are eligible to compete in the male category upon providing a written and signed declaration acceptable to the 18 Hours of Fruita official. 
2. Those who transition from male to female (MTF) are eligible to compete in the
female category under the following conditions:
a. The athlete has declared that their gender identity is female.
b. The athlete must demonstrate that their total testosterone level in serum
has been below 2.5 nmol/L for a period of at least 24 months.
c. The athlete's total testosterone level in serum must remain below 2.5
nmol/L throughout the period of desired eligibility to compete in the female
category.

TIMING & RESULTS

Finish Order is determined by number of laps, then time. The event will be chip timed-we encourage all teams to “test” their chips (chips are placed on the back of your bike number which is to be displayed on the handlebar) at the timing tent once you have checked in. The chips are disposable and do not require a deposit-you may discard after the event. Race numbers may not be cut, folded, altered or defaced in any way as that will destroy the chip on the back.

Teams/Solos must complete their race within the 18 hour time limit-any laps finished after the 18 hour time limit WILL NOT count toward the total. No laps may start after the official finishing hour. Teams and solos may choose to stop and rest at any time during the event but must re-enter where they originally exited. The team/solo (in its category) with the most laps is first. If teams have the same number of laps, the team that took less time within the above guidelines, wins. Solo’s and teams may finish their race at any time during the 18 Hrs and will be credited with laps completed to that point to determine placing but must ride at least 6 laps to qualify for awards.

All protests must be filed within 15 minutes of preliminary results posting. All signed, official results are FINAL. NO PROTESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED, NOR WILL RESULTS BE ADJUSTED ONLINE AFTER THE EVENT (ONCE THE AWARD CEREMONY CONCLUDES) SO REVIEW WHEN THEY ARE POSTED FOLLOWING THE FINISH OF THE EVENT. Athletes must be in attendance at the awards ceremony to receive their medals.

 
RESULTS AND POSTING

Awards will not be mailed. Results will be posted every 2 hours from the beginning of the race to noon on Saturday. From noon until 4 results will be posted every hour and from 4 until 6 results will be posted every 30 minutes.

You can check the results via a printout that will be near the timing tent or by going to runningguru.com and runners -> results and pictures.

You may go to www.timingconsortium.com to view the final results and they will also be available at www.18hrsoffruita.com. Minimum Age Requirement: All participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the waiver. Additionally, all participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present on-site for the duration of the event. Participants must be a minimum of 14 years of age.

PAST RESULTS

18 Hrs of Fruita records, by year, beginning in 2013 with the current course and the advent of chip timing

Fruita 2013 Overall | Fruita 2013 Individual

Fruita 2014 Overall | Fruita 2014 Individual

Fruita 2015 Overall | Fruita 2015 Individual

Fruita 2016 Overall | Fruita 2016 Individual

Fruita 2017 Overall | Fruita 2017 Individual

Fruita 2018 Overall | Fruita 2018 Individual

Fruita 2019 Overall | Fruita 2019 Individual

Fruita_2020 Cancelled

Fruita_2021_Overall | Fruita_2021_Individual

Fruita_2022_Overall | Fruita_2022_Individual

Fruita_2023_Overall | Fruita_2023_Individual

Fruita_2024_Overall | Fruita_2024_Individual

Fruita_2025_Overall | Fruita_2025_Individual

RECORDS

EVENT PHOTO’S

Event photo will be available at www.skipix.com

If you have questions, our staff will be happy to assist you at the event.

We hope this answers most of your questions if not, please feel free to email the park (camping questions) alanc.martinez@state.co.us or 18 Hrs of Fruita george@otesports.com with additional questions!

LINK TO IMPORTANT CAMPING/PARK INFO

Highline Lake State Park

An oasis in the desert, Highline Lake is the recreation epicenter for the Grand Valley with two lakes, lush grass, trails and trees.

No matter the season, Highline Lake State Park is a diverse and welcome retreat. Connected to miles of trails and close to communities, the park makes an ideal base camp for exploring the Grand Junction area. Whether passing through on mountain bikes, or as an end destination, the park welcomes campers, anglers, families and groups.