Badwater Salton Sea
Borrego Springs, United States • 18-19 Apr 2026
Event details
Badwater Salton Sea takes place in Southern California on April 18-19, 2026, with the race route running from Salton City to Palomar Mountain. The course distance is 81 miles (130 km) with a total elevation gain of over 9,000 feet (about 2,740 m). The start elevation is about 234 feet (71 m) below sea level and the finish is near 5,500 feet (approximately 1,676 m). Eight miles of the route run through Anza-Borrego State Park on single-track trail between Borrego Springs and Ranchita, so the route is a mix of road and trail. The event has a field limit of 100 runners and the course closes after 28 hours.
Team format, route rules and qualifications
All entrants must register and compete as teams of two or three runners who remain together for the full distance and share a single support vehicle with a minimum of two crew members. Divisions are All Male, All Female, and Mixed. Applicants must have completed at least one difficult 50-mile ultramarathon in the previous 12 months; proof must be provided at least 60 days before the race. The trail section has mandatory equipment requirements, including a rain jacket, beanie, gloves, emergency blanket, whistle, reflective gear, front and rear blinking lights, a headlamp or flashlight with spare batteries or a second light, a fully charged phone, a minimum of 1.5 L (50 oz) hydration for six hours, and at least 1,000 calories of nutrition. Support vehicles must meet size and safety rules and carry visible team identification and race signage. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.