Badwater 135 is a 135 miles ultra marathon in Death Valley, United States. Distance: 217km. Elevation: 4,450m D+. Difficulty: legendary (Challenge Rating 50/100). DNF rate: 20%. Time limit: 48h. Surface: road. Established 1987.
Badwater 135
Death Valley, California, United States
"135 miles through Death Valley in July. Starting at -86m, ending at 2530m. 50°C heat."
The hottest ultra race on the planet — 135 miles through Death Valley in peak summer, from the lowest point in North America.
The Course
From Badwater Basin in Death Valley (the lowest point in North America at -86m) to the Whitney Portal trailhead on Mount Whitney (2530m). The course runs through Death Valley in the middle of July when temperatures routinely exceed 50°C on the road surface.
hilly
point-to-point
2,530m
Runner Experience
Remote course with widely spaced aid points. Runners should be prepared for long unsupported stretches.
A legendary finish line atmosphere. Badwater 135 is a bucket-list race with celebrations that match its reputation.
Race Day Weather
47°C
38° – 54°
8%
1%
The hottest race on Earth. Ground temperatures can exceed 70°C. Air temperature often above 50°C during the day.
Stats & Records
1987
80
36:00:00
21:33:01
Pete Kostelnick (2016)
24:36:10
Alyson Venti (2019)
Entry
$1,500
September
—
Lore & Trivia
Badwater 135 starts at Badwater Basin in Death Valley — the lowest point in North America at -86m below sea level — and finishes at the Mount Whitney trailhead at 2,530m. The 217km route crosses three mountain ranges in the hottest place on earth, where road surface temperatures exceed 90°C. Founded in 1987 as a dare between friends, it evolved into ultrarunning's most famous sufferfest. The race has been called "the world's toughest foot race" so often the phrase lost meaning — but Death Valley in July earns it. Runners have hallucinated, their shoes have melted on the asphalt, and the medical tent has seen core temperatures above 41°C. Yet they return, year after year, drawn by the perverse beauty of running through a landscape that actively tries to kill you.
- ▸ Starts at Badwater Basin in Death Valley — the lowest point in North America at -86m below sea level.
- ▸ Finishes at the Mount Whitney trailhead at 2,530m elevation.
- ▸ 217km through three mountain ranges in the hottest place on earth.
- ▸ Road surface temperatures exceed 90°C (200°F) — runners hug the white lane markings because they're slightly cooler.
- ▸ July in Death Valley: air temperatures reach 54°C (130°F).
- ▸ Invitation-only: runners must qualify through other extreme endurance events.
- ▸ Crews are essential — runners cannot carry enough water to survive without support.
- ▸ Founded in 1987 as a dare between friends. Now the world's most famous heat ultra.
- ▸ Multiple runners have been hospitalised for heatstroke over the race's history.
The heat at Badwater is not a factor. It is THE factor. Everything else is just running.
When the road surface is 200 degrees, your shoes start to feel like they're melting. That's because they are.
Notable Editions
Karnazes Runs the Full 146
Legendary ultrarunner Dean Karnazes finished Badwater and then continued to the actual summit of Mount Whitney (4,421m), adding 22 miles of climbing to the official race distance — a personal challenge that embodied the Badwater ethos of pushing beyond the finish line.
Pete Kostelnick Sets the Record
American Pete Kostelnick broke the course record in 21:56:32, becoming the first to go sub-22 hours. He ran through 54°C (130°F) air temperature and road surfaces exceeding 93°C (200°F). His crew doused him with water every few minutes to prevent heatstroke.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Badwater 135? +
Badwater 135 is a 135 miles (217km) ultra marathon with 4,450m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on road terrain.
How hard is Badwater 135? +
Badwater 135 is rated legendary with a Challenge Rating of 50/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 20%. Runners have 48 hours to finish.
How do I enter Badwater 135? +
Application-based with review of ultra resume. Invitation only.. An application or essay is required. Entry costs $1,500. with a maximum of 100 starters.
What is the weather like at Badwater 135? +
Average temperature is 47°C (range 38°C to 54°C) with 8% humidity and a 1% chance of rain. The hottest race on Earth. Ground temperatures can exceed 70°C. Air temperature often above 50°C during the day.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Badwater 135? +
Crew access is allowed. Pacers are allowed.
What is the course record for Badwater 135? +
The men's course record is 21:33:01 set by Pete Kostelnick in 2016. The women's course record is 24:36:10 set by Alyson Venti in 2019.
What is the average finish time for Badwater 135? +
The average finish time is 36:00:00. About 80 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 20%.
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