MULTIDAYRUNNING
🏁 Fixed-Distance

Badwater 135

The world's most iconic ultra — 135 miles through Death Valley in July, from the lowest point in North America (Badwater Basin, -282 ft) to the Mt. Whitney Portal (8,360 ft).

Official WebsiteBack to Events

Event dates, entry rules, qualification standards, and course details can change. Always verify current information on the official event website before registering or booking travel.

Event Overview

DateJul 27-29, 2026
Location🇺🇸 Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, California, USA
FormatFixed-Distance
TerrainDesert
RegionNorth America
Distance135 mi
Elevation gain14,600 ft / 4,450 m ascent
Elevation loss6,100 ft / 1,859 m descent
Cutoff45-hour overall time limit, with intermediate cutoffs at miles 50.5, 72, 90, and 122.
StartWave starts at 20:00, 21:00, and 22:00 Pacific Time.
Field sizeInternational invitational field of up to 100 endurance athletes.
HighlightsIconic Race, Extreme Heat

Course & Terrain

Point-to-point paved highway ultra from Badwater Basin in Death Valley to Whitney Portal.

Key course features to know before comparing this race:

  • Badwater Basin start below sea level
  • Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, Panamint Springs, Darwin, and Lone Pine
  • Whitney Portal finish at 8,300 ft

The course is paved but brutally exposed, with long highway climbs across three mountain ranges.

July in Death Valley means extreme heat, radiant pavement, and long stretches where cooling tactics can be race-defining.

Entry & Logistics

Application window2026 applications were accepted January 2-20, with the field announced February 1.
QualificationInvitational race; athletes apply through the official process and must satisfy the organizer's qualifying standards.
Support modelThe race is built around the runner, shoes, and support crew moving through remote highway sections.
Crew / pacersCrew planning is central because access to supplies, ice, cooling, and transport shapes the entire race.
Logistics noteConfirmed entrants need lodging, crew vehicles, ice strategy, paperwork, and pre-race meetings arranged before race week.

Why This Race Matters

Badwater 135 is a useful reference point for runners comparing long fixed-distance ultras that still unfold over multiple days. Its format, terrain, and support model shape the kind of preparation required: not just fitness, but pacing discipline, nutrition planning, foot care, and the ability to make good decisions under fatigue.

Current benchmark performances listed in the race data:

  • Men: Yoshihiko Ishikawa, 21:33:01, 2019
  • Women: Ashley Paulson, 21:44:35, 2023

Best Fit

  • Highly experienced ultrarunners with proven heat and road-ultra experience
  • Athletes with a disciplined crew and cooling plan
  • Runners seeking one of ultrarunning's most iconic fixed-distance challenges

Planning Notes

  • Prepare for sleep decisions, weather swings, and aid-station discipline. The distance is only one part of a multi-day fixed-distance race.
  • Heat, sun exposure, and dry air can change hydration needs quickly. Test sun protection, sodium strategy, and cooling tactics before the race.
  • This is not marked as a beginner-friendly event. Confirm qualification standards, support rules, and registration requirements before building a season around it.
  • The 2026 race uses a 45-hour limit rather than the older 48-hour standard
  • The route is subject to agency approvals and can be finalized close to race week
  • There are long stretches with limited services and limited cell coverage

Event FAQs

What is the Badwater 135 time limit?

For 2026, Badwater lists a 45-hour overall time limit with several intermediate cutoffs.

Where does Badwater 135 start and finish?

It starts at Badwater Basin in Death Valley and finishes at Whitney Portal above Lone Pine, California.

Sources

  1. Official Badwater 135 page — https://www.badwater.com/event/badwater-135/
  2. Multiday Running event directory data, last reviewed June 2026.