Category: Badwater 135

Badwater 135 Course Description

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Badwater Basin, Death Valley (282ft / 85.5m below sea level), Mile Zero (Start Line)
The race begins here adjacent to a pool of saltwater located at the lowest place in North America. There are toilets, but no other services.

Furnace Creek Ranch (170’ / 51m below sea level), 17.5mi / 28.2km (Time Checkpoint #1)
The first oasis in our journey. Two hotels, gas station, general store, restaurants, camping, and ice are available. Stock up here on ice, water, food, supplies, and gas both before the race and when you pass through during the race!

Stovepipe Wells (Sea Level), 42.2mi / 68km (Time Checkpoint #2)
A general store, gas station, restaurant and motel. Location of the race’s Medical HQ for most of first 15 hours of the race. It is critical that you stock up on ice, water, food, supplies, and gas when you pass through here during the race!

Towne Pass (4956’ / 1511m), 58.7mi / 94.5km (Time Checkpoint #3)
From Stovepipe Wells, it’s 17-mile long ascent with 5000’ of elevation gain to the highest point of the race course. There are two important landmarks along the ascent: 1) The 2000′ Elevation Sign located at Mile 50.8, which must be passed by ALL runners by 1000am on the first morning of the race. 2) The Wildrose Parking Lot on the right at Mile 51.2, with lots of space for support crews to park, plus toilets.

After cresting the Towne Pass summit and passing Time Checkpoint #3, it’s a 10-mile long descent with 3000’ feet of elevation loss into the Panamint Valley. On both sides, it’s a steep and narrow road with limited opportunities to park. Support vehicles, crews, and runners must be cautious and extra aware of the traffic.

Panamint Springs Resort (2000’ / 610m), 72.7mi / 117km (Time Checkpoint #4)
Gas station, mini-mart, plus restaurant and motel. We rent out “The Cottage” as a way station for any and all race entrants and crews to use during the race: Bring your own towel, soap, and shampoo and make a big effort to keep the room and bathroom tidy. It is critical that you stock up on ice, water, food, supplies, and gas when you pass through here during the race! (Get some real food for both runners AND crew!)

After passing Panamint Springs, a long, steep climb follows on a steep and narrow road with limited opportunities to park. Support vehicles, crews, and runners must be cautious and extra aware of the traffic, and ONLY park in the eight designated parking zones between Panamint Springs Resort and unmarked “Panamint Pass” at mile 84.9. This is known as the Father Crowley Climb.

Father Crowley’s Turnout (4000’ / 1219m), 80.65mi / 130km
The bathrooms and parking lot that designate this viewpoint are not the top of this ascent, though you may hope so. The road continues to rise to 5000’ / 1524m over rolling hills, then eventually descends into the Owen’s Valley.

Darwin Turn-Off (5050’ / 1540m), 90.7mi / 146km (Time Checkpoint  #5)
There are no services here, but just a few miles to the south of our route is the small inhabited ghost town of Darwin, the website for which touts “NO broadcast TV; NO AM/FM radio, NO cell signal; NO stores; NO restaurants.” The Darwin time station is where the race usually starts to get serious for all entrants. Look for “gunsite notch” about 9.3 miles ahead to indicate your 100-mile mark! The generally flat or slightly downhill stretch ahead can be tedious and demoralizing; Mt. Whitney is visible ahead and never seems to get closer! See a video of this location.

Keeler (3610’ / 1100m), 108.4mi / 174km (Time Checkpoint #6)
This is a small mining town with no facilities which abuts the Owens Dry Lake Bed on the left of the highway. Amazing views of Mt. Whitney and the Sierra Nevada abound. A dirt road to the right ascends to Cerro Gordo, an authentic ghost town high in the mountains.

Lone Pine (3610’ / 11km), 122.7mi / 197.5km (Time Checkpoint #7)
Lone Pine offers the weary runner and crew all the amenities of a real town: café fare, fast food, pizza, restaurants, motels, gas stations, a grocery store, and much more, not to mention our Race Headquarters at the Dow Villa. Restock here for the climb to Whitney Portal as there no services after Lone Pine. Turn left onto the Whitney Portal Road to begin the final leg, the longest and steepest climb of the race (13 miles or 21km with 5000 feet or 1524m of elevation gain). Temperatures will steadily decrease during the ascent (though depending on time of day). As you ascend Mt. Whitney, be sure your support vehicle is always parked completely off of the road and that you do not block traffic, not even for a moment.

Portal Road / Base of the Switchbacks (6890’ / 2100m), 131.1mi / 211km (Time Checkpoint #8)
After the turn from Hwy 395 in Lone Pine, it’s 8.3 miles or 13.4km to the final Time Checkpoint, located at the start of the switchbacks. For nighttime finishers, be prepared with extra layers of clothing; at night it can approach freezing temperature. The Portal Road is steep and very narrow: please drive and park extra carefully all the way to the finish! 

Mt. Whitney Trailhead, (8360’ / 2548m), 135mi / 217km
Congratulations! You have finished The World’s Toughest Foot Race! A small burger shack / shop are open during daylight hours (and they serve the BEST pancakes, fries, and burgers.) There is also a stocked fishing pond and a campground (because, of course, after running 135 miles, you really want to go fishing and camping!).

For all the Badwater 135 race route details, click here.

Course Profile Breakdown

Flat Miles:

Badwater to Stovepipe Wells 41 miles
Panamint floor 2 miles
Darwin flats 4 miles
Owens Valley to Lone Pine 22 miles
69 miles total

Uphill Miles:

Stovepipe Wells to Townes 18 miles + 5,000 ft.
Panamint grade (west) 15 miles + 3,400 ft.
Lone Pine to Whitney Portal 13 miles + 4,600 ft.
46 miles total +14,600 ft. total

Downhill Miles:

Townes to Panamint Valley 8 miles – 3,400 ft.
Darwin to Owens Valley 12 miles – 1,300 ft.
20 miles total – 6,100 ft. total


Below are real, actual time splits from 2015, 2016, and 2017 racers, which are far more useful than average speed time splits, which vary widely in reality due to the severe changes of topography along the course, not to mention the heat, or cold, wind, and more.
Note there is some range: some runners “fall behind” or “make up time” in various stretches depending on how they feel, eat, drink, and many other factors. This is why we included real-time splits for several different runners in the 34-hour, 40-hour, 44-hour, and 46-hour range. Everything is in elapsed time.

2014 Badwater Salton Sea Webcast

Download the May 2014 issue of BADWATER Magazine, featuring Badwater Salton Sea!

BADWATER® Immersion Training Camp / Workshop / Retreat, held in Borrego Springs, CA, immediately prior to BADWATER® Salton Sea

Photos by Chris Kostman, Friday – Sunday, May 2-4, 2014

Badwater® Salton Sea Runner and Support Crew Mugshots

Photos by Marco Apostol, Sunday, May 4, 2014

Badwater® Salton Sea Race Day: Start Line to Mile 26, through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (Instagram Pix)

Photos by Chris Kostman, Monday, May 5, 2014

Badwater® Salton Sea Race Day: Mile 7 – Mile 27, through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Photos by Chris Kostman, Monday, May 5, 2014

Badwater® Salton Sea Pre-Race Activity: Start Line Tour, Runner Check-In, and more Mugshots of Runners and Support Crews

Photos by Chris Kostman, Monday, May 4, 2014

 

Badwater® Salton Sea Race Day: Mile 31, approaching Borrego Springs

Photos by Marco Apostol, Monday, May 5, 2014

Badwater® Salton Sea Race Day: Start Line to Mile 7, through Salton City

Photos by Chris Kostman, Monday, May 5, 2014

 

Badwater® Salton Sea Race Day: Borrego Springs Mile 35 to Ranchita Mile 50

Photos by Chris Kostman, Monday, May 5, 2014

Badwater® Salton Sea Race Day: Mile 5, Teams leave the Salton sea behind

Photos by Marco Apostol, Monday, May 5, 2014

 

Badwater® Salton Sea Race Day: Finish Line

Photos by Trasie Phan and Chris Kostman, Monday, May 5-6, 2014

Special thanks to the Race Staff!

Marco Apostol, Medical Team

Jimmy Dean Freeman, Roving Official, Trail Sweep, Finish Line

Lori Hoechlin, Post-Race Brunch

Tim Kjenstad, Roving Official, Time Station 1 (Mile 14.4), and TS 5 (Ranchita)

Chris Kostman, Race Director, Roving Official, Photography, Webcast, Finish

Anna Leeg, Webcast Design

Eric Meech, Medical Team

Don Meyer, Roving Official, Time Station 2 (Borrego Springs) and Finish

Dave and Margaret Nelson, Roving Officials and Photographers

George Vargas, Roving Official, Time Station 3 (Lower Trailhead), Finish

Bradley Zlotnick, Medical Team

Feedback about the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon

“I want to thank you for the wonderful effort that you and your staff put forth in conducting the 2005 Badwater race. You did an awesome job, and I was privileged to be a part of it. I look forward to crewing and running this race again in future years.”
– Nikki Seger, 2005 official finisher (rookie entrant, three-time crew veteran)

“I wanted to thank you and the entire staff again for the fine job you did with this year’s race – it was a real pleasure to be back out there even if things did not go my way this time.”
– Curt Maples, 2005 participant, three-time finisher

“I just wanted to let you know once again what a pleasure it was to be involved with your event and to congratulate you on a stellar job that you continue to do. Also, the medical staff you have is the best I have EVER experienced with ANY race. They are outstanding and have the ability to apply practical, technical and medical knowledge in a way that maximizes efforts in a very hostile environment. THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY THE BEST.”
– Marshall Ulrich, 2005 official finisher (with a total of 13 official race finishes)

“Thanks for putting on the race…you brought in a great group of runners and support staff. I think that it has become a diamond of a race, and, I hope you’ll continue to make it happen and lead the way.” 
– Scott Weber, 2005 official finisher and ten-time finisher

“What an EPIC event you put on! This race has grown into such a high class, world class, awesome event, and you did it. I am so happy to finally have this buckle. I said once I get the buckle I won’t have to do the race again, but you know what? I love this race!!!!  Badwater has finally put its name on the map and I believe you deserve the credit for this.”
– Shannon Farar-Griefer, 2005 (and 2001) official finisher

“What a great race. Kudos to race director Chris Kostman, the Adventurecorps crew, all the volunteers and Dr. Lisa Stranc-Bliss and all the other people in the medical units. Although this course is a logistical nightmare, it seemed that there were always race personnel monitoring all the runners along the way during the entire event. A special thanks to the roving medical teams who were everywhere along the course and always slowed down to check for either a thumbs up or for potential problems. Although I never needed their assistance, it was comforting to know that they were available and only minutes away. Outstanding. A real class act. Job well done. Thanks again.”
– Respectfully, Arthur Webb, official finisher 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 04, 05

“I wanted to thank you for such a great event! I truly respect what you have done for Badwater. I remember in 2002, my first Badwater, I received the rule book weeks before the event. I freaked out. I thought to myself, ‘God, I don’t know if I can live up to this!’ I was so overwhelmed then. But I can truly say everything you’ve put in the book was basically for our/the runners/crews safety. I truly appreciate not only your caring, but also the level at which you have brought ultra-running into the spotlight with the Badwater race. There will probably not be another event like it, I’m sure. And I hope it’s around not only for me to enjoy, but everyone who’s done it and also future Badwater racers and crew. I call Badwater “The Truth Serum.” It does change lives and quite often, if not always, I’ve seen for the better. It shows us what we are as souls in human form. Again I truly appreciate what you’ve done with the event and I thank you and your staff, and volunteers who’ve taken part thus far.  Good Job, Man!!! Love In Action,”
Very truly, Jody-Lynn Reicher, 2005 official finisher

“Just a few words to try to thank you for inviting me to be part of the 2005 Badwater Ultramarathon and for your trouble to organize such an unforgettable event. Many people at home asked me before the race for my reasons to do an event like this. One of my reasons was that events like this creates memories. I do not know how to thank you for allowing me to be part of this event and to help creating a memory that will stay with me as long as I have the privilege of my mental capabilities. It would be a great honor for me to come back some day and to run my own race. I did not get to the stage of alternate consciousness or any hallucinations since I had to concentrate on Geoff Hilton-Barber the whole time. Thanks again for taking the chance with me!!”
– Regards. Flip Jurgens, 2005 official finisher

“I would like to thank you for this year’s Badwater. It was well organized, enjoyable and safe. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate and finish such a difficult, but exciting run. I see life a little more clearly today and I am even more challenged to bring this piece of life and athletics to those who have not had such an opportunity.”
– Sincerely, Jack Humphrey, 2005 official finisher

“I just wanted to thank you again for an awesome experience. It is without a doubt the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I learned a lot, made a few costly mistakes, but that’s the challenge. To overcome and never give up. Hopefully I will be able to race again and get a belt buckle. I really appreciate the chance to have been to Badwater and the effort it must take on your part to make this the world class event that it is.”
– Thank you. Jackie Simonsen, 2005 official finisher

“You do an AWESOME job with this race and I appreciate it. And please feel free to forward this to ALL the race workers as well.  Everyone I came in contact there was just super, they were professional and they were positive. By the way, the food was great, both pizza and breakfast, my crew was loving the free food. You ask every competitor this year and I bet you know the positive reaction you would get.”
– David Harper, 2005 official finisher

“Thank you for putting on such an amazing event. I had the time of my life and hope to actually run the race in 2006 if I can meet the qualifying standards and gain acceptance. The sense of camaraderie and family I experienced at Badwater was like no other. I can only imagine the logistics and amount of work that goes into putting together a race of this magnitude, on public lands, dealing with so many different agencies. This was my first Badwater experience and I truly mean it when I say that it was Top Shelf and First Rate. I had the time of my life and can’t wait to go back as a runner. Thanks again for a terrific race. One that I’ll remember and cherish the rest of my life. Keep up the good work!”
– Sincerely, Liam Douglass, crew for 2005 official finisher Mark Cockbain

“You and your staff do a EPIC job of organizing what must be one of the toughest race anywhere to hold. Thanks for doing such a great job of Directing the Badwater Ultramarathon. Hopefully athletes from around the world will be able to challenge themselves and fulfill their dreams for many years to come.”
All the best, Ferg Hawke, two-time runner-up (04 and 05)

“Thank you Chris for the incredible – I mean incredible – job you and your amazing staff do! I am honored to be  part of this race-it humbles me greatly I have finished 5 times. Thank you Chris. Along with my other fund raising I do for kids-it is an honor and privlege to help them and have Badwater as the race of race to help them with. You made this all possible for us. Thank you for helping my dreams come true.”
– Most Sincerely, John Radich, five-time finisher, including 2005

“I would like to thank you for the great honor you gave me, with the induction into the Hall of Fame.  This is an honor I will never forget.  I appreciate the acknowledgement of my adventure in Death Valley. It was so nice to be part of the 2005 race, as it brought back many memories of my experience. I was amazed how much the race has grown. I know this doesn’t happen by itself, it only happens with your hard work as a race director, and the help of your volunteers. I loved meeting the runners and appreciated how kind they were to me. Again, thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
– Jeannie Ennis, 2005 Badwater Hall of Fame inductee

“Chris, I want to thank you (and all the staff and volunteers and all the crews and supporters and participants) again for giving me an opportunity to be a part of the Badwater family and experience. I know there is an incredible amount of behind the scenes business to take care of. I appreciate all the time and energy you have put into this wonderful (epic) type of an event. I learned much from this 2005 Badwater experience and I am savoring it.”
– Dan Jensen, 1999 entrant and 2005 official finisher