Covering 135 miles (217km) non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA, the Badwater® 135 is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet. The start line is at Badwater Basin, Death Valley, which marks the lowest elevation in North America at 280’ (85m) below sea level. The race finishes at Whitney Portal at 8,300’ (2530m), which is the trailhead to the Mt. Whitney summit, the highest point in the contiguous United States. The Badwater 135 course covers three mountain ranges for a total of 14,600’ (4450m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 6,100’ (1859m) of cumulative descent. Competitors travel through places or landmarks with names like Mushroom Rock, Furnace Creek, Salt Creek, Devil’s Cornfield, Devil’s Golf Course, Stovepipe Wells, Panamint Springs, Keeler, Alabama Hills, and Lone Pine
The 15th annual AH135 will be Jan 28th to 30th, 2019. We will take race veteran apps starting 9-1-18 and rookie apps 10-1-18. Please make sure you have a qualifying race – see below. Our roster is limited to ~150 racers and fills quickly.
Gear check will be Jan 26th/27th. Please ensure you meet or exceed the qualifications listed below if you plan to race.
Completing one of the below accomplishments would typically qualify an entrant for this year’s Arrowhead Winter Ultra;
however, entry is not guaranteed. The race directors reserve the right to change the rules in the interest of safety and sportsmanship or for any reason deemed appropriate by the race officials. The race directors reserve the right to select entrants based on other important considerations, as well as due to the requirements of insurers, sponsors, the Minnesota State DNR and other regulatory
agencies.
Basically, we look for both endurance and cold weather experience. Below are general guidelines.
Qualifying activities for runners:
Completing a prior Arrowhead 135, Tuscobia 160 or similar race.
Finishing 100 mile foot race or completed multi-sport event, including a 100 mile run. A race in winter conditions improves your odds of being selected and surviving.
Qualifying activities for bikers:
Complete a prior Arrowhead 135, Tuscobia 160, Susitna, or similar race.
Finishing 24 hour bike race, with minimum of 100 miles completed for off-road, or 200 miles on road. A race in winter conditions improves your odds of being selected and surviving.
Qualifying activities for skiers:
Complete a prior Arrowhead 135, Tuscobia 160, or similar race.
Finishing a 24 hour ski race with a minimum of 100 miles completed.
There are lots of articles, stories, and photo albums from racers, reporters, and volunteers. Go read them all.
William “Chip” Corley began his career as a stockbroker after graduating college, flat broke. Growing up in a middle class family in Clarksville, Tennessee, one thing was clear to him early on: he wanted to be successful and earn a lot of money. Upon becoming a stockbroker, Chip had no contacts, no money, and no experience. What he did have was a burning desire to succeed. While the investment industry offers tremendous financial opportunities for the ambitious and driven, it is also a roller coaster ride of uncertainty, full of highs and lows, and pressure to produce. Being a stockbroker and recommending investments to others is considered one of the most stressful ways to earn a living. The failure rate is 90%. To make it required long hours on the job, endless phone calls, research, and high-volume sales quotas. Chip rose to the challenge, which proved to be a great fit for his relentless work ethic. His early achievements and potential landed him a job on Wall Street in New York City. It was there he rose to the next level in his career. For 20 years, Chip continued to push. By 2004, the toil of it all caught up with him. Chip was diagnosed with hypertension and given a lifelong prescription for medication to control it. It was at that moment Chip understood that it was time to implement changes. He began to make health a top priority. In the decade to follow, Chip transformed himself from a middle-aged workaholic to a top-caliber endurance athlete. By learning to eat properly, incorporating yoga into his routine, exercising regularly, and utilizing mentors and coaches, his health flourished. Fitness became the passion that led him to the next chapter of his life. In 2005, he ran his first 5k with his 11-year old son, Chipper. From there he continued his athletic pursuits by running a 10k, half and full marathons; 70.3 and 140.6 Ironman triathlons; 50k, 50 mile, 100k, and 100 mile ultramarathons; and ultimately Badwater 135, considered the world’s toughest footrace. Financial Fitness chronicles Chip’s journey in the world of investing and business to his path fueled by fitness and health, and offers tons of tips en route to inspire others to find their own financial and physical well being.
Covering 135 miles (217km) non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA, the STYR Labs Badwater® 135 is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet. The start line is at Badwater, Death Valley, which marks the lowest elevation in North America at 280’ (85m) below sea level. The race finishes at Whitney Portal at 8,300’ (2530m). The Badwater 135 course covers three mountain ranges for a total of 14,600’ (4450m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 6,100’ (1859m) of cumulative descent. Whitney Portal is the trailhead to the Mt. Whitney summit, the highest point in the contiguous United States. Competitors travel through places or landmarks with names like Mushroom Rock, Furnace Creek, Salt Creek, Devil’s Cornfield, Devil’s Golf Course, Stovepipe Wells, Panamint Springs, Keeler, Alabama Hills, and Lone Pine.
The Badwater Ultra-marathon is commonly referred to as the toughest footrace on the planet. In 2003, defending champion Pam Reed, Dean Karnazes and 71 other runners took the ultimate challenge of running 135 miles in California from Badwater to the portals of Mount Whitney. Their journey would take them through the hostile environment of Death Valley and subject them to temperatures ranking among the highest ever recorded on earth. Twenty-five runners tell of their adventures in arguably the absolute toughest of the roughest footrace on the plane – the good, the bad and yes, the ugly – in this incredible and fascinating compilation. You are certain to gain a respect for the runners you will meet and perhaps an even greater respect for the area known as Death Valley. The runners who Read More