Badwater 135

Badwater 135

The Badwater 135 Ultramarathon is an invitational, non stop race held July 27 to 29, 2026, organized by AdventureCORPS in the Death Valley and Mt. Whitney region of California. The course covers 135 miles (217 km) from Badwater Basin in Death Valley to Whitney Portal near Lone Pine.

The route begins at Badwater Basin, the lowest elevation in North America at about 280 feet (85 m) below sea level, and finishes at Whitney Portal at approximately 8,300 feet (2,530 m). The course crosses three mountain ranges with roughly 14,600 feet (4,450 m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 6,100 feet (1,859 m) of cumulative descent. Notable waypoints include Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, Panamint Springs, Darwin, Keeler, Lone Pine, and the Alabama Hills.

The event fields an international, invitational group of about 100 endurance athletes representing twenty or more countries and U.S. states. Competitors must be accompanied by a dedicated support crew with one four wheeled vehicle and two to four crew members. Mandatory pre race check in is held in Lone Pine where entrants deliver required forms and safety gear such as reflective clothing, blinking lights, and portable toilet products. Time cut offs are enforced at multiple checkpoints and the official course may be revised pending permits from federal and state agencies.

Finishers who complete the course within the 45 hour time limit receive finisher recognition and specified awards. The race operates under special use permits and a set of detailed race rules and safety requirements. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.