Badwater Salton Sea

Badwater Salton Sea : April 18-19, 2026 (Borrego Springs area)

The Badwater Salton Sea is a team ultra covering 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 course mixes road and trail, with eight miles on single-track through Anza-Borrego State Park. Total elevation gain on the route is over 9,000 ft (≈2,740 m). The host town and race check-in location is Borrego Springs, CA.

Format, requirements and key rules

Entrants compete only as teams of two or three runners who remain together for the entire distance (not a relay). Divisions are All Male, All Female, and Mixed. Each team must use a single support vehicle and have at least two crew members. Entry is limited (about 100 runners) and applicants must provide proof of recent endurance experience: completion of at least one difficult 50-mile ultramarathon in the previous 12 months is required for entry consideration.

The event uses timing checkpoints and intermediate cutoffs; teams must arrive and depart checkpoints together and follow race rules about team spacing and behavior. The trail section carries mandatory equipment requirements (for example: rain jacket, beanie, gloves, emergency blanket, whistle, reflective gear, front and rear blinking lights, headlamp plus spare batteries, charged phone, minimum hydration and nutrition for extended self-sufficiency). Race services include race officials, limited medical support, timing checkpoints, a webcast with splits, event apparel and a finisher’s buckle for official finishers. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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