Badwater Salton Sea

Event overview

Badwater Salton Sea is a team ultra held April 18-19, 2026 in Borrego Springs, California. The course covers 81 miles (130 km) from Salton City (about 234 ft / 71 m below sea level) to Palomar Mountain (finish elevation about 5,500 ft / 1,676 m). The route mixes road and trail, with eight miles on single-track through Anza-Borrego State Park between Borrego Springs and Ranchita, and total elevation gain of over 9,000 ft (about 2,740 m). Daytime temperatures can exceed 100°F (38°C) and nights may be near freezing with wet fog. The event is limited to about 100 runners.

• 81 miles (130 km) from Salton City to Palomar Mountain

Format, qualification and key rules

All entrants must race as teams of two or three runners who remain together for the full distance and share one support vehicle with at least two crew members. Divisions exist for all-male, all-female, and mixed teams. Applicants must have completed at least one difficult 50-mile ultramarathon within the previous 12 months; proof must be provided at least 60 days before the race. There are mandatory intermediate cut-offs and a 28-hour course time limit. For the trail section runners must carry specified safety and night equipment and minimum supplies (for example a rain jacket, lights, a charged phone, minimum 1.5 L hydration and about 1,000 kcal for six hours). Registration and refund policies require full team registration together; refunds less 25% are offered until 60 days prior, after which no refunds are given. Support vehicles must meet legal insurance and driver-license requirements. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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