RUNNING

2017 Badwater 135 applications accepted now

By AdventureCORPS

AdventureCORPS®, Inc., hosts of the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon, is currently accepting applications for this year's race, scheduled for July 10-12, 2017. Now in its 40th year and recognized globally as "the world's toughest foot race," this iconic race pits up to 100 of the world's toughest athletes - runners, triathletes, adventure racers, and mountaineers - against one another and the elements. 

The race starts at Badwater Basin within Death Valley National Park, the lowest point in North America at 280 feet (85m) below sea level, and the location officially recognized as the hottest spot on earth (hitting 134 degrees Fahrenheit in 1913). From that auspicious start line, the course covers 135 miles (217km) non-stop over the most epic terrain imaginable. including traversing three mountain ranges for a total of 14,600 feet (4450m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 6,100 feet (1859m) of cumulative descent. The race finishes at the end of the road high on Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the Lower 48, making it the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet. For those who finish in less than 48 hours, their reward is the coveted Badwater 135 belt buckle. (See attached.) There is no prize money.

With a field limit of 100 runners, the Badwater 135 is, and always has been, an invitational race. Applicants must meet rigorous qualifying standards prior to submitting an application, which is then reviewed and scored by a committee. For rookie entrants, minimum requirements include three 100-mile race finishes or a completion of the Brazil 135, plus submitting an extensive application with running resumé, details of charitable efforts, along with answering a variety of questions ranging from "What percentage of your athletic peers would say that you are a good human being?" to "What is the meaning of life?" More information is here: http://www.badwater.com/event/badwater-135/#tab-entry The actual application is here: https://www.runreg.com/bw135
 

Based on past participation, it is anticipated that the 2017 field will include runners from 20 to 25 American states and represent 20 to 25 countries or nationalities. The 100 world-class athletes selected for the 2017 race will be announced via Facebook Live on February 9.

AdventureCORPS greatly appreciates the support of STYR Labs, Caring House Project Foundation, Farm To Feet Socks, Fisher Space Pen, ZZYXXZ, Nathan Performance Gear, and ZombieRunner.com, plus the local support of Furnace Creek Ranch, Stovepipe Wells Resort, Panamint Springs Resort, Dow Villa, Pizza Factory, the community of Lone Pine, CA, the people of Inyo County, and other generous companies and individuals. More info: http://www.badwater.com/about-us/sponsors/

Official Charities of the Badwater 135 include the Challenged Athletes Foundation. As one of the very few charities that provides grants directly to athletes with a physical disability, the Challenged Athletes Foundation has raised over seventy-six million dollars and directly assisted thousands of challenged athletes world-wide and in all 50 US states. 

AdventureCORPS also supports the Bald Head Island Conservancy, Conservation Alliance, and One Percent For The Planet, among others. One of the goals of the Badwater 135 is to raise funds for, and awareness of, these organizations, along with minimizing and mitigating environmental impact. More info: http://www.badwater.com/about-us/charities/ and http://www.badwater.com/about-us/environment/

The event is held under special use permits from Death Valley National Park, California Department of Transportation, Inyo National Forest, and Inyo County.

Additional Badwater events this year  include the 51-mile Badwater Cape Fear on March 18 and 81-mile Badwater Salton Sea on April 30. These two events, along with the Badwater 135, comprise the Badwater Ultra Cup.