About This Race
The Badwater 135 stands as ultrarunning's most notorious test of human endurance. This invitation-only race spans 135 miles from the lowest point in North America—Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level—to Whitney Portal at 8,300 feet above sea level. Held annually in July during Death Valley's most punishing conditions, the race confronts runners with temperatures that routinely exceed 120°F, creating a furnace-like environment that has earned it the designation as "the world's toughest foot race." What sets Badwater apart isn't just the distance or heat, but the psychological warfare of running through one of Earth's most hostile environments. The course traverses three mountain ranges with over 14,600 feet of climbing, passing through places with names like Devil's Golf Course, Furnace Creek, and Stovepipe Wells. Each runner must have a crew vehicle following them, as self-sufficiency in these conditions would be impossible. This is not a race for the unprepared or untested. Entry requires qualification through other ultra events, and even experienced ultrarunners often find Badwater to be unlike anything they've encountered. The combination of extreme heat, relentless climbing, and the mental challenge of running through the night creates a unique crucible that transforms even the most seasoned runners. Since 1987, fewer than 2,000 people have earned the right to call themselves Badwater finishers.
The course begins at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, immediately presenting runners with the psychological challenge of starting at the lowest elevation in North America. The route follows Highway 190 and 136 eastward through the valley floor, where pavement temperatures can exceed 200°F and runners often seek refuge in the narrow strips of shade cast by their support vehicles.
After leaving Death Valley, the course climbs dramatically through three mountain ranges. Key landmarks include the salt flats near the start, Furnace Creek visitor center, Stovepipe Wells, and the punishing climb up to Towne Pass at 4,956 feet. The final section tackles the brutal ascent to Whitney Portal, where runners must navigate switchbacks in the Sierra Nevada while fighting exhaustion and sleep deprivation. Throughout the journey, crews provide essential support as runners battle not just the distance, but some of the most extreme environmental conditions found in any sporting event.
Aid Stations
3 stations along the course
Furnace Creek
water, ice, medical
Major checkpoint with visitor center facilities
Stovepipe Wells
water, ice, medical
Desert resort with facilities
Panamint Springs
water, ice, medical
Remote desert outpost
Race History
2025 Results
Starters
Finishers
Practical Info
Extreme heat with temperatures often exceeding 120°F during the day, minimal cloud cover, and occasional high winds in mountain passes.
LAS - McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas
Limited lodging options in Death Valley area; many runners stay in Lone Pine or Las Vegas and drive to the start.
Best For
Notable Features
Badwater 135 represents the pinnacle of extreme endurance challenges, combining the longest distance commonly raced with some of the harshest environmental conditions on Earth. The race's invitation-only status and stringent qualification requirements have created an exclusive community of finishers who share the unique bond of having survived one of sport's ultimate tests. The mandatory crew support system creates a team dynamic rare in ultrarunning, while the extreme conditions forge stories that become legend in the running community.