The Badwater 135 is an extremely long 135-mile race in Death Valley, California. It is one of the toughest races globally due to the extremely hot conditions and mountains. The athletes have to endure challenging conditions through mountains, deserts, and extended roads.
Each July, the Badwater 135 race begins at Badwater Basin in Death Valley, 282 feet below sea level. It finishes at Whitney Portal, the trailhead to climb Mount Whitney, which is 8,360 feet above sea level. Runners contend with temperatures above 120°F (49°C), frequently running on hot pavement and battling heat exhaustion, dehydration, and hallucinations. The course contains over 14,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain and traverses three mountain ranges. Athletes prepare by executing training in very warm conditions, utilizing saunas to acclimatize to the heat, and running a high weekly mileage, including consecutive long days of running. Crew support is critical; teams follow the runners in support vehicles, providing them with ice, fluids, food, clean clothing, and medical assistance. Nutrition strategies involve consuming electrolytes frequently, consuming slow-digesting carbohydrates, and taking in real food to prevent stomach issues during the 30–48 hours of the race. Mental toughness is paramount as runners must contend with sleep deprivation, severe fatigue, and relentless heat. Completion of the Badwater race is regarded as one of the highest accomplishments in ultrarunning.
