Hot Tomato hosts benefit for North Fruita Desert trails

If you enjoy trail running, walking or riding, show your support and attend the North Fruita Desert Trail event April 7 at Hot Tomato.

Supporters of building new trails in the North Fruita Desert are invited to a fund raiser at the Hot Tomato Saturday, April 7.

Gold Sprint races and the chance to win a new cruiser bike are available, as are deals on pizza throughout the day and into the evening.

“New Belgium Brewing Co. has kindly donated one of their cruiser bikes to raffle off,’’ said Anne Keller of the Hot Tomato, and an avid cycler. “All of the money, from the sales of the tickets to the sprint races, will be donated to trails.’’

Gold Sprint races use a pair of stationary track bikes affixed to the stage at the restaurant. Two riders “race’’ against each other in 30-second intervals while their time and speed is projected on a screen set up behind them.

“It’s a great spectator sport,’’ Keller said.

The sprints will start at 6 p.m. The entry fee is $5 per racer, and all proceeds to go the trail project.