Badwater 135
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Event overview
The Badwater 135 Ultramarathon is a 135-mile (217 km) point-to-point road race between Badwater Basin in Death Valley and Whitney Portal near Mt. Whitney. The course crosses three mountain ranges with about 14,600 ft (4,450 m) of cumulative ascent and 6,100 ft (1,859 m) of cumulative descent. The route passes landmarks such as Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, Panamint Springs, Darwin, Keeler, Lone Pine, and the Alabama Hills. The race has a 48-hour time limit and uses multiple mid-course time cut-off checkpoints.
Entry, rules, and logistics
The 2026 edition is scheduled for July 27-29, 2026 in Lone Pine, California. Entry is by invitation only; the field is limited to about 100 international athletes. Applications are accepted January 2-20, 2026 and applicants must meet published qualifying standards. The entry fee is $1,595; partial refunds are subject to the race refund policy.
Each competitor must be accompanied by a personal support crew consisting of one four-wheeled vehicle and two to four crew members. Crew must meet safety requirements including OSHA Class 3 high-visibility garments and carry specified equipment. Competitors must submit mandatory signed forms at check-in and comply with permits and regulations from federal, state, and local agencies. Official finishers within the time limit receive a finisher’s t-shirt and a Badwater 135 belt buckle. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.