Badwater Ultramarathon
Encyclopedia
The Badwater Ultramarathon
describes itself as "the world's toughest foot race". It is a 135 miles (217.3 km) course starting at 282 feet (86 m) below sea level in the Badwater Basin, in California
's Death Valley
, and ending at an elevation of 8360 feet (2548 m) at Whitney Portal, the trailhead to Mount Whitney
. It takes place annually in mid-July, when the weather conditions are most extreme and temperatures over 120 °F (49 °C), even in the shade, are not uncommon. Consequently, very few people—even among ultramarathoners—are capable of finishing this grueling race.
exceeds 19,000 feet (5,800 m).
In later years, as the United States Forest Service
required summit permits to climb Mt. Whitney, the official course was shortened to end at Whitney Portal. The Badwater-to-Portal course is 135 miles (217.3 km) long, with 13,000 feet (4,000 m) of cumulative elevation gain
. Forest Service regulations do not allow competitive events in the John Muir Wilderness
; however, many runners choose to continue tradition and complete the ascent to Mount Whitney's summit on their own.
) was first made in 1969 by Stan Rodefer and Jim Burnworth of San Diego.
Al Arnold first attempted running the route in 1974 but was pulled off the course after eighteen miles (29 km) with severe dehydration. After vigorous sauna-training and desert-acclimatization, he attempted the run again in 1975. This time, a knee injury aborted the run at fifty miles. In 1976, training injuries kept him from even beginning his annual attempt on the course.
In 1977 he successfully pioneered running the course, summiting Whitney eighty hours after his start at Badwater. Arnold has never returned to the course, except to receive the Badwater Hall of Fame Award.
The second Badwater-to-Whitney running was completed in 1981, by Jay Birmingham.
In 1987, the crossing became an official, organized footrace. Five runners competed the first year. During the early years of the race, no particular route between Badwater and Whitney was specified and runners attempted various "shortcuts" between the start and finish. Adrian Crane, one of the competitors in the inaugural race, even used cross-country skis to cross the salt-flats at Badwater.
Course support is not provided. Each runner must arrange for his or her own support crew and vehicle. The crew provides their runner with his or her needs, including water, ice, food, gear, pacing, and first aid.
Runners who complete the course in sixty hours receive a commemorative medal; runners who complete the course in forty-eight hours receive a belt buckle. No prize money is awarded.
The record for the 146 miles (235 km) race was set in 1991 by Marshall Ulrich
: 33 hours and 54 minutes. Records for the current 135 miles (217.3 km) course are 22 hours 51 minutes 29 seconds (men), set by Valmir Nunes
, and 26 hours 16 minutes 12 seconds (women), set by Jamie Donaldson.
In the last few years, 70 to 80 people have competed in each race, with 20–40% failing to reach the finish line. There have been no fatalities.
The 2011 winner was Mexican Oswaldo López.
completed the first double crossing (which became known as the "Death Valley 300"), running from Badwater to Mount Whitney's summit and back to Badwater again.
In 1994, Scott Weber completed the first Triple Crossing going from the Mount Whitney Summit to Badwater, then returning from Badwater to the Mount Whitney summit, then going from the Mount Whitney summit back to Badwater in 10 days. The first leg of the Triple was also done solo unassisted with Weber pushing an unmodified 'baby jogger' cart with his supplies from oasis to oasis spaced from 20 to 30 miles (48.3 km) apart. Weber completed the majority of the triple unassisted and solo being met once or twice a day by Ben on the second leg and for 100 miles (160.9 km) of the third leg. Faced with the necessity of completing the Triple before August ended, Weber abandoned his cart at mile 390 to be fully crewed by Denise Jones. Completing this Triple and adding the Badwater race from the previous month made Weber the first runner to complete four full crossings of the Badwater-Mount Whitney summit course in a single July-August window. He remains the only runner to have done a multiple crossing with a solo unassisted section of 146 miles (235 km) or greater.
In 2001, Marshall Ulrich
was the first runner to complete the "Badwater Quad", consisting of two back-to-back Death Valley 300s for a total of four consecutive Badwater/Whitney transits. He completed the course, a distance in excess of twenty-two marathons, in ten days.
In 2003, Sawyer Manuj became the first Asian-American to complete the Badwater duo.
became the first runner to complete the 146 miles (235 km) Badwater-to-Summit course without a crew or resupply, denying himself the use of artificial shade or outside aid of any kind. Starting with 225 lb (102.1 kg) of gear and water loaded in a modified baby jogger, he pushed and pulled the cart to the Whitney trail head, then continued on to the summit with a pack. He reached Whitney's summit in seventy seven hours and forty six minutes.
In July 2011, Lisa Bliss became the first woman and second person to complete the 146 mile Badwater-to-Summit course totally self-contained (without crew or resupply of any kind, abiding the rules set forth in Marshall Ulrich's 1999 unassisted "self-contained" solo crossing,). She pushed and pulled a custom-built 3-wheeled cart filled with water and gear that weighed 240 pounds at the start from Badwater to the Whitney trail head, and then continued the remaining 11 miles to the summit with a pack that she carried from the start. She reached the Mt. Whitney summit in 89 hours and 38 minutes.
In 2007, then-19 year old Ben Eakin completed his first solo crossing, having only finished 2 marathons and 1 50K prior to doing so. Eakin completed the solo from Badwater to the summit of Mount Whitney, to become the youngest person to complete the lowest to highest course, as well as the first type-1 diabetic.
In 2005, Barbara Szeprethy, then 24, is the youngest woman to finish the course, 3 times total, in consecutive years.
bicycle race (also held in Death Valley) during the same calendar year is awarded the Death Valley Cup. In 1996, Marshall Ulrich
became the first ever to finish the Death Valley Cup.
Ultramarathon
An ultramarathon is any sporting event involving running longer than the traditional marathon length of .There are two types of ultramarathon events: those that cover a specified distance, and events that take place during specified time...
describes itself as "the world's toughest foot race". It is a 135 miles (217.3 km) course starting at 282 feet (86 m) below sea level in the Badwater Basin, in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
's Death Valley
Death Valley
Death Valley is a desert valley located in Eastern California. Situated within the Mojave Desert, it features the lowest, driest, and hottest locations in North America. Badwater, a basin located in Death Valley, is the specific location of the lowest elevation in North America at 282 feet below...
, and ending at an elevation of 8360 feet (2548 m) at Whitney Portal, the trailhead to Mount Whitney
Mount Whitney
Mount Whitney is the highest summit in the contiguous United States with an elevation of . It is on the boundary between California's Inyo and Tulare counties, west-northwest of the lowest point in North America at Badwater in Death Valley National Park...
. It takes place annually in mid-July, when the weather conditions are most extreme and temperatures over 120 °F (49 °C), even in the shade, are not uncommon. Consequently, very few people—even among ultramarathoners—are capable of finishing this grueling race.
Course
Originally, the run was conceived as being between the lowest and the highest points in the contiguous United States: Badwater, Death Valley (−282 ft) and Mt. Whitney's summit (14,505 ft). The two are only eighty miles apart on the map, but the land route between the two points is substantially longer, 146 miles (235 km), because of detours around lakebeds and over mountain ranges. Additionally, since the finish-line is 11 miles (17.7 km) from the nearest trailhead, anyone who competes over the 146 miles (235 km) race-distance must be capable of a total physical effort of 157 miles (252.7 km). Due to the two mountain ranges that must be crossed between Badwater and Whitney, the course's cumulative elevation gainCumulative elevation gain
In running, cycling, and mountaineering, cumulative elevation gain refers to the sum of every gain in elevation throughout an entire trip. It is sometimes also known as cumulative gain or elevation gain, or often in the context of mountain travel, simply gain. Elevation losses are not counted in...
exceeds 19,000 feet (5,800 m).
In later years, as the United States Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
required summit permits to climb Mt. Whitney, the official course was shortened to end at Whitney Portal. The Badwater-to-Portal course is 135 miles (217.3 km) long, with 13,000 feet (4,000 m) of cumulative elevation gain
Cumulative elevation gain
In running, cycling, and mountaineering, cumulative elevation gain refers to the sum of every gain in elevation throughout an entire trip. It is sometimes also known as cumulative gain or elevation gain, or often in the context of mountain travel, simply gain. Elevation losses are not counted in...
. Forest Service regulations do not allow competitive events in the John Muir Wilderness
John Muir Wilderness
The John Muir Wilderness is a wilderness area that extends along the crest of the Sierra Nevada of California, USA for , in the Inyo and Sierra National Forests. Established in 1964 by the Wilderness Act and named for naturalist John Muir, it contains...
; however, many runners choose to continue tradition and complete the ascent to Mount Whitney's summit on their own.
Early history
The hike between Badwater and Mount Whitney (via the treacherous salt flats in Death ValleyDeath Valley
Death Valley is a desert valley located in Eastern California. Situated within the Mojave Desert, it features the lowest, driest, and hottest locations in North America. Badwater, a basin located in Death Valley, is the specific location of the lowest elevation in North America at 282 feet below...
) was first made in 1969 by Stan Rodefer and Jim Burnworth of San Diego.
Al Arnold first attempted running the route in 1974 but was pulled off the course after eighteen miles (29 km) with severe dehydration. After vigorous sauna-training and desert-acclimatization, he attempted the run again in 1975. This time, a knee injury aborted the run at fifty miles. In 1976, training injuries kept him from even beginning his annual attempt on the course.
In 1977 he successfully pioneered running the course, summiting Whitney eighty hours after his start at Badwater. Arnold has never returned to the course, except to receive the Badwater Hall of Fame Award.
The second Badwater-to-Whitney running was completed in 1981, by Jay Birmingham.
In 1987, the crossing became an official, organized footrace. Five runners competed the first year. During the early years of the race, no particular route between Badwater and Whitney was specified and runners attempted various "shortcuts" between the start and finish. Adrian Crane, one of the competitors in the inaugural race, even used cross-country skis to cross the salt-flats at Badwater.
AdventureCORPS Badwater Ultramarathon
Currently, AdventureCORPS manages the competitive race from Badwater to Whitney Portal. The course route is specified, and the race is held annually. The field is invitation-only and limited in size. Demand to participate in the race usually far exceeds available spots. Rules have changed somewhat over the years: afternoon starts have been discontinued; the use of intravenous fluids now disqualifies a runner.Course support is not provided. Each runner must arrange for his or her own support crew and vehicle. The crew provides their runner with his or her needs, including water, ice, food, gear, pacing, and first aid.
Runners who complete the course in sixty hours receive a commemorative medal; runners who complete the course in forty-eight hours receive a belt buckle. No prize money is awarded.
The record for the 146 miles (235 km) race was set in 1991 by Marshall Ulrich
Marshall Ulrich
Marshall Ulrich is an American ultramarathon runner, adventure racer and mountaineer. He holds various distinctions in several sports: he has completed 123 ultra marathons averaging over 100 miles each; has climbed the tallest summit on each continent , a feat known as the seven summits; and has...
: 33 hours and 54 minutes. Records for the current 135 miles (217.3 km) course are 22 hours 51 minutes 29 seconds (men), set by Valmir Nunes
Valmir Nunes
Valmir Nunes is a Brazilian runner. A former world record holder, he currently holds South American and Brazilian Ultramarathon records.-Career:...
, and 26 hours 16 minutes 12 seconds (women), set by Jamie Donaldson.
In the last few years, 70 to 80 people have competed in each race, with 20–40% failing to reach the finish line. There have been no fatalities.
The 2011 winner was Mexican Oswaldo López.
Multiple crossings
In 1989, Tom Crawford and Richard BenyoRichard Benyo
Richard Stephen Benyo is an American journalist and veteran distance runner. He is the editor of Marathon & Beyond Magazine, a magazine devoted to marathon and ultramarathon running. He is also the former executive editor of Runner's World Magazine, and Anderson World Books, Inc...
completed the first double crossing (which became known as the "Death Valley 300"), running from Badwater to Mount Whitney's summit and back to Badwater again.
In 1994, Scott Weber completed the first Triple Crossing going from the Mount Whitney Summit to Badwater, then returning from Badwater to the Mount Whitney summit, then going from the Mount Whitney summit back to Badwater in 10 days. The first leg of the Triple was also done solo unassisted with Weber pushing an unmodified 'baby jogger' cart with his supplies from oasis to oasis spaced from 20 to 30 miles (48.3 km) apart. Weber completed the majority of the triple unassisted and solo being met once or twice a day by Ben on the second leg and for 100 miles (160.9 km) of the third leg. Faced with the necessity of completing the Triple before August ended, Weber abandoned his cart at mile 390 to be fully crewed by Denise Jones. Completing this Triple and adding the Badwater race from the previous month made Weber the first runner to complete four full crossings of the Badwater-Mount Whitney summit course in a single July-August window. He remains the only runner to have done a multiple crossing with a solo unassisted section of 146 miles (235 km) or greater.
In 2001, Marshall Ulrich
Marshall Ulrich
Marshall Ulrich is an American ultramarathon runner, adventure racer and mountaineer. He holds various distinctions in several sports: he has completed 123 ultra marathons averaging over 100 miles each; has climbed the tallest summit on each continent , a feat known as the seven summits; and has...
was the first runner to complete the "Badwater Quad", consisting of two back-to-back Death Valley 300s for a total of four consecutive Badwater/Whitney transits. He completed the course, a distance in excess of twenty-two marathons, in ten days.
In 2003, Sawyer Manuj became the first Asian-American to complete the Badwater duo.
Unassisted solo crossings
In 1994, Scott Weber became the first runner to cross from the summit of Mount Whitney to Badwater course solo without a crew. He did so by pushing a 'baby-jogger' cart with his supplies going oasis to oasis (20-30 miles (48.3 km) apart). Weber then continued on to complete 2 additional crossing with minimal support until being crewed full-time for the final 45 miles (72.4 km) of this 438+ mile journey.Unassisted "self-contained" solo crossings
In July 1999, Marshall UlrichMarshall Ulrich
Marshall Ulrich is an American ultramarathon runner, adventure racer and mountaineer. He holds various distinctions in several sports: he has completed 123 ultra marathons averaging over 100 miles each; has climbed the tallest summit on each continent , a feat known as the seven summits; and has...
became the first runner to complete the 146 miles (235 km) Badwater-to-Summit course without a crew or resupply, denying himself the use of artificial shade or outside aid of any kind. Starting with 225 lb (102.1 kg) of gear and water loaded in a modified baby jogger, he pushed and pulled the cart to the Whitney trail head, then continued on to the summit with a pack. He reached Whitney's summit in seventy seven hours and forty six minutes.
In July 2011, Lisa Bliss became the first woman and second person to complete the 146 mile Badwater-to-Summit course totally self-contained (without crew or resupply of any kind, abiding the rules set forth in Marshall Ulrich's 1999 unassisted "self-contained" solo crossing,). She pushed and pulled a custom-built 3-wheeled cart filled with water and gear that weighed 240 pounds at the start from Badwater to the Whitney trail head, and then continued the remaining 11 miles to the summit with a pack that she carried from the start. She reached the Mt. Whitney summit in 89 hours and 38 minutes.
Badwater Solo Ultra 135/146
In 2005, in response to the desire of local and non-elite runners to test themselves against the course, Hugh Murphy initiated the Badwater Solo Ultra 135/146. Runners attempt the course during the months of July and August and have their completion verified and published by Murphy. Runners are encouraged to include the Whitney summit as part of their transit, but credit is given for either distance. In compliance with National Park and Forest Service permitting rules, this is not a competitive race but a "solo" crossing with a support crew (as in, "not a part of the official race", which is not to be confused with Weber or Ulrich's use of "solo" to designate an unassisted crossing).In 2007, then-19 year old Ben Eakin completed his first solo crossing, having only finished 2 marathons and 1 50K prior to doing so. Eakin completed the solo from Badwater to the summit of Mount Whitney, to become the youngest person to complete the lowest to highest course, as well as the first type-1 diabetic.
In 2005, Barbara Szeprethy, then 24, is the youngest woman to finish the course, 3 times total, in consecutive years.
Death Valley Cup
Any competitor who completes both the Badwater Ultramarathon and the Furnace Creek 508Furnace Creek 508
Furnace Creek 508 is an ultramarathon bicycle race that takes place annually each October since 1989 in Southern California. Its route starts in Santa Clarita, California , goes northeast to the northern terminus of Death Valley, traverses Death Valley in the southern direction, crosses Mojave...
bicycle race (also held in Death Valley) during the same calendar year is awarded the Death Valley Cup. In 1996, Marshall Ulrich
Marshall Ulrich
Marshall Ulrich is an American ultramarathon runner, adventure racer and mountaineer. He holds various distinctions in several sports: he has completed 123 ultra marathons averaging over 100 miles each; has climbed the tallest summit on each continent , a feat known as the seven summits; and has...
became the first ever to finish the Death Valley Cup.
Badwater World Cup BWWC
Badwater World Cup (BWWC) consists of- Badwater ( race in the desert)
- Brazil 135 Ultramarathon ( race in the mountains)
- Arrowhead ( race in the snow)
- Europe 135
Official event sites
Landmark crossings
- Breaking Point and Beyond, reprint of Marathoner Magazine article about Al Arnold's pioneering of the course, 1978.
- My Most Unforgettable Ultramarathon, And What I Learned From It, reprint of Marshall Ulrich's account of his unassisted crossing in Marathon and Beyond.
- Running on the Sun: The Badwater 135. Documentary of the 1999 race
- The Distance of Truth: Documentary of the 2005 race