Badwater Ultramarathon Course Description
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Badwater Ultramarathon 2D and 3D Course Overview |
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Mile-by-mile race route, including Time Station locations and all landmarks |
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Course Map, as below (click for a PDF file of the map) |
Badwater, Death Valley
The race begins here adjacent to a pool of saltwater located at the lowest place in the Western Hemisphere.
Furnace Creek Ranch, Mile 17.4
The first oasis in our journey. A gas station, small general store, hotel, restaurant, camping, and ice machine are available. Location of Time Station One.
Stovepipe Wells, Mile 41.9
A small market, gas station, restaurant and motel. This is not open 24 hours. Location of Time Station Two.
Townes Pass (4956’), Mile 58.7
Long ascent, then long descent, followed by approx. 12 long straight miles. 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, Mile 72.3
Restaurant, gas stationg, and motel with limited hours. 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. Location of Time Station Three.
Father Crowley’s Turnout, Mile 80.2
This isn’t the top. The road continues to rise to 5000’ over rolling hills, then eventually descends into the Owen’s Valley.
Keeler, Mile 107.8
A small mining town with no facilities.
Lone Pine, Whitney Portal Road, Mile 122.2
Lone Pine offers the weary runner and crew all the amenities of a real town: fast food, pizza, restaurants, motels, gas stations, grocery stores, and more, not to mention our Webcast Headquarters. Restock here for the climb to the portals. Turn left onto the Whitney Portal Road to begin the final leg, the longest and steepest climb of the race. Temperatures will steadily decrease. Be prepared with extra layers of clothing and rain gear the final few miles. Be sure your support vehicle is completely off of the road and that you do not block traffic. Location of Time Station Five.
Mt. Whitney Trailhead, (8360’), Mile 135
Congratulations! You have finished the most extreme running race in the world! A small diner/shop are open daylight hours. There is also a stocked fishing pond and a campground.
Course Profile
| Flat Miles: |
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Badwater to Stovepipe Wells 41 miles
Panamint floor 2 miles
Darwin flats 4 miles
Owens Valley to Lone Pine 22 miles
69 miles total
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| Uphill Miles: |
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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 +13,000 ft. total
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| Downhill Miles: |
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Townes to Panamint Valley 8 miles - 3,400 ft.
Darwin to Owens Valley 12 miles - 1,300 ft.
20 miles total - 4,700 ft. total
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Pace Chart
| hours |
mph |
min/mile |
| 24 |
5.62 |
10:40 |
| 25 |
5.40 |
11:07 |
| 26 |
5.19 |
11:33 |
| 26 |
5.14 |
11:41 |
| 27 |
5.00 |
12:00 |
| 28 |
4.82 |
12:26 |
| 29 |
4.65 |
12:53 |
| 29 |
4.63 |
12:58 |
| 30 |
4.50 |
13:20 |
| 31 |
4.35 |
13:46 |
| 32 |
4.21 |
14:13 |
| 33 |
4.09 |
14:40 |
| 34 |
3.97 |
15:07 |
| 35 |
3.85 |
15:33 |
| 36 |
3.75 |
16:00 |
| 36 |
3.71 |
16:08 |
| 37 |
3.64 |
16:26 |
| 37 |
3.64 |
16:27 |
| 38 |
3.55 |
16:53 |
| 39 |
3.46 |
17:20 |
| 40 |
3.37 |
17:48 |
| 41 |
3.29 |
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| 42 |
3.21 |
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| 43 |
3.14 |
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| 44 |
3.07 |
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| 45 |
3.00 |
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| 46 |
2.93 |
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| 47 |
2.87 |
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| 48 |
2.81 |
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| 49 |
2.75 |
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| 50 |
2.7 |
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| 51 |
2.65 |
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| 52 |
2.60 |
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| 53 |
2.55 |
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| 54 |
2.5 |
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| 55 |
2.45 |
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| 56 |
2.41 |
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| 57 |
2.37 |
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| 58 |
2.33 |
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| 59 |
2.29 |
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| 60 |
2.25 |
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