Badwater 135
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Badwater 135 : Lone Pine, CA (July 27-29, 2026)
The Badwater 135 is a 135-mile (217 km) invitational ultramarathon that runs non-stop from Badwater Basin in Death Valley to Whitney Portal on Mt. Whitney. The route begins at Badwater Basin, about 280 feet (85 m) below sea level, and finishes at Whitney Portal, near 8,300 feet (2,530 m). The course crosses three mountain ranges with a total of approximately 14,600 feet (4,450 m) of cumulative ascent and 6,100 feet (1,859 m) of cumulative descent.
Competitors pass named landmarks such as Mushroom Rock, Furnace Creek, Salt Creek, Devil’s Cornfield, Devil’s Golf Course, Stovepipe Wells, Panamint Springs, Darwin, Keeler, Lone Pine, Alabama Hills, and the Sierra Nevada. Key climbs described for the route include Towne Pass (about 4,956 feet gain over 16.7 miles), the Father Crowley climb (about 2,000 feet gain over 8 miles plus a further gradual gain), and the final climb to Whitney Portal (about 4,750 feet gain over 12.2 miles).
Entry is by invitation and the race field is limited to roughly 100 athletes from multiple countries and U.S. states. Each competitor must be accompanied on course by a support crew with one vehicle and two to four crew members; specific crew, safety, and equipment rules apply. The official race awards include finisher items and a belt buckle for those who complete the course within the event time limit. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
