AdventureCORPS, Inc., an event production firm specializing in ultra-endurance and extreme sports events, will host the 31st Anniversary Badwater Ultramarathon on July 14-16, 2008. Recognized globally as "the world's toughest foot race," this legendary event pits up to 90 of the world’s toughest athletes—runners, triathletes, adventure racers, and mountaineers—against one another and the elements. Covering 135 miles (217km) non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA in temperatures up to 130F (55c), it is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet.
The start line is at Badwater, Death Valley, which marks the lowest elevation in North America at 280’ (85m) below sea level. The race finishes at Mt. Whitney Portal at 8360' (2533m). The Badwater course covers three mountain ranges for a total of 13,000’ (3962m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 4,700’ (1433m) of cumulative descent. Whitney Portal is the trailhead to the Mt. Whitney summit, the highest point in the contiguous United States. Competitors travel through places and landmarks including Mushroom Rock, Furnace Creek, Salt Creek, Devil’s Cornfield, Devil’s Golf Course, Stovepipe Wells, Keeler and Lone Pine.
A true "challenge of the champions," the 2008 Badwater Ultramarathon features 46 Badwater veterans and 44 rookies: die hard “ultra-runners” of every speed and ability, and athletes who have the necessary running credentials, but are primarily known for their exploits as adventure racers, mountaineers, triathletes, or in other extreme pursuits. They represent twelve countries—Australia (3), Brazil (2), Canada (3), France (6), Germany (7), Guatemala (1), Hungary (1), Italy (1), New Zealand (1), Norway (1), UK (3), and US (61)—and nineteen America states. There are twenty-three women and sixty-seven men. The youngest runner is 27 while the oldest is 66, with an average age of 47. More.