Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Badwater 135

Hey Doug, are you staying open later next week with the Badwater 135 run?

It starts Tuesday, July 22..first wave from Death Valley at 10pm.

Paul

Yes open all night internet and phone service for race Race starts Monday night and first runners should show up around midnight or early Wensday morning

Well, I'll be up there Sunday...hiking Horseshoe Meadows area and Onion Valley for a week.

I'll stop by.

paul

I'm curious where this summer stands in terns of brutal heat for the racers...? This is 17 years for me in Ridgecrest and I'd be hard-pressed to remember a HOTTER

summer...

Also wondering about how the smoke is going to impact them...

There have been significant changes to the race over the years. The current version is the "easiest".

Originally, the race was 11 miles longer and ended at the Summit of Mt Whitney. This ended with the actual enforcement of the wilderness permit system.

Also, the original race started at sunrise in Badwater, so the running in Death Valley would be experienced under the sun in the hottest part of the day. The current three wave start just after sundown was possibly initiated to diminish the impact of vehicle traffic on the road.

Several times I have enjoyed being at the finish when the winner arrived. It was very exciting. One time I saw the winner of this grueling 135 mile race attempt to eat a Pancake. (The store stayed open very late.) But race winner was defeated by the Pancake!

Jim

This year's top finishers battled heat, wind, and a rainstorm:

First overall- Shaun Burke of Durango, Colorado 23 hr 29 min.

Second overall and first female- Line Caliskaner of Norway 27 hr 36 min.

Many runners will continue to finish later today. Strong work!

Jim