Press release from American Trail Running Association double track member Badwater® / AdventureCORPS®.
On July 15-17, AdventureCORPS presents its legendary BADWATER® 135 ULTRAMARATHON. Now in its 42nd year, the world-renowned event pits up to 100 of the world’s toughest athletes against one another and the elements. In scorching temperatures and at altitudes as high as 8,360 feet (2548m), runners, triathletes, adventure racers, and mountaineers from 21 countries and 30 American states face off in a grueling 135-mile trek non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA. Widely recognized as “the world’s toughest foot race,” it is the most demanding and extreme running race on the planet.
The start line is at Badwater Basin, Death Valley, which marks the lowest elevation in North America at 280’ (85m) below sea level. The race finishes at Whitney Portal at 8,360’ (2548m). The course covers three mountain ranges for a total of 14,600’ (4450m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 6,100’ (1859m) of cumulative descent. Whitney Portal is the trailhead to the Mt. Whitney summit, the highest point in the contiguous United States. Competitors travel through places with names like Mushroom Rock, Furnace Creek, Salt Creek, Devil’s Cornfield, Devil’s Golf Course, Stovepipe Wells, Panamint Springs, Darwin, Keeler, Alabama Hills, and Lone Pine.
The 100 athletes in the 2019 Badwater 135 athletes represent twenty-one countries: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and United States of America (with 30 different American states represented). See the full roster here.
Read the FULL-LENGTH press release at Badwater.com here.
Watch below as Badwater Race Director and AdventureCORPS Chief Adventure Officer Chris Kostman talks about info and updates from the wide world of Badwater, especially this year’s Badwater 135!
Oak Park, CA-based AdventureCORPS®, Inc. is an athlete-run firm producing and promoting ultra-endurance sports events and the world’s toughest brand, BADWATER®. Adventure is our way of life. AdventureCORPS’ world-class events for athlete-adventurers include epic races such as the Badwater® 135, BADWATER® Salton Sea, and BADWATER® Cape Fear, and others. Our products include the Badwater® line of apparel, skin care products, gear, drinks, and services. Founded in 1984 by Chris Kostman, this group effort is dedicated to exploring the inner and outer universes, seeking adventure, energy, and insight both in daily life and “out there.” More: www.adventurecorps.com and www.badwater.com. This is our 20th Badwater 135. Badwater® is a registered trademark owned by AdventureCORPS, Inc.
