Badwater Salton Sea

Event details

Badwater Salton Sea takes place April 18-19, 2026 in the Borrego Springs / Salton City area of Southern California. The course covers 81 miles (130 km) from Salton City (about 71 m below sea level) to Palomar Mountain (finish near 5,500 ft / about 1,676 m). The route includes a mix of road and trail, with eight miles on single-track trail through Anza-Borrego State Park. Total elevation gain is listed as over 9,000 feet (about 2,740 m). The field is limited to approximately 100 runners and the course has a 28-hour time limit.

Format, entry, and required equipment

The race uses a team format: all entrants must compete as teams of two or three runners who remain together for the entire distance, not as a relay. Divisions include all-male, all-female, and mixed teams. Applicants must document endurance credentials; all entrants must have completed at least one difficult 50-mile ultramarathon in the 12 months prior to entry. Registration is managed via RunSignUp.

For the trail section runners must carry specified safety and survival items, including a rain jacket, beanie and gloves, an emergency blanket, whistle, reflective gear, front and rear blinking lights, a headlamp or flashlight with spare batteries, a charged cell phone, at least 1.5 L (50 oz) of hydration, and roughly 1,000 calories of nutrition for six hours. Teams are required to use a single support vehicle with at least two crew members and to follow vehicle, safety, and checkpoint rules. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.