Badwater Ultramarathon

Imagine running on 200 degree pavement for hours, with air temperatures averaging 120 degrees or more. The objective is to reach a finish line 135 miles distant. The temperature differential could be as much as 139 degrees from start to finish. Sixty hours are allotted in which to complete the mission. The idea for this event was conceived as a human endurance test between the lowest (-282 feet) and highest (+14,494) elevations in the contiguous United States.

The first documented attempt at this Herculean task was in 1974, but it was not until 1987 that some unorthodox folks finally organized this ultimate journey into a competitive race. The current race is held annually, starting at Badwater and finishing at the Whitney Portal, 135 miles distant and 8,642 feet higher in elevation. It requires over 22 hours of heroic suffering to achieve the goal … if one happens to be an elite athlete of the highest order. No one has so far died from the attempt, but many have been well on their way to doing so, only to be brought back by crews of supporters. If a person completes both the Badwater Ultramarathon and the Furnace Creek 508 in the same year, they receive the coveted Death Valley Cup.

To read an article about one tough fellow, a medical doctor no less, who participates in this type of extreme endurance event, visit the website of Badwater Ben Jones. The AdventureCORPS website describes the 2008 race: “The 2008 race roster included 43 Badwater veterans and 37 rookies: die hard ultra-runners comprising the world’s elite in this sport, and athletes who have the necessary running credentials, but are primarily known for their exploits as adventure racers, mountaineers, triathletes, or in other extreme pursuits. Twelve countries were represented at this unofficial world championship – Australia (2), Brazil (2), Canada (2), France (6), Germany (6), Guatemala (1), Hungary (1), Mexico (1), New Zealand (1), Norway (1), UK (2), and USA (55) – from 19 American states. There were 21 women and 59 men. The youngest runner was 27 while the oldest was 66, with an average age of 47.”