Badwater 135

The Badwater 135 is a 135-mile (217 km) ultramarathon that runs from Badwater Basin in Death Valley, California—at 282 feet below sea level, the lowest point in North America—to the trailhead of Mount Whitney. The course crosses three mountain ranges for a total cumulative vertical ascent of over 14,600 feet.

The Badwater 135 is typically held in mid-July, during the hottest part of the summer in Death Valley, when ground temperatures can exceed 120°F (49°C). The extreme heat is a defining feature of the race and a major factor in its reputation as one of the world's most demanding foot races.

Runners are required to have a support crew that follows them in a vehicle, providing ice, water, electrolytes, and food at frequent intervals along the route. Common cooling strategies include wrapping ice-filled bandanas around the neck, using wet towels, and even periodically resting on bags of ice to manage core body temperature.

Yes, the Badwater 135 has strict qualification requirements, typically requiring applicants to have completed other ultramarathons of significant distance and difficulty within specified time limits. The field is limited to roughly 90 to 100 runners each year, and selection is competitive due to the race's prestigious and extreme nature.