Applying to Compete in the 2024 Badwater® 135 Ultramarathon (Note updates in red.)
In 2024, we will invite 100-102 runners (with an expectation of up to 100 on the start line.) There will be no Wait List. The invited runners will be approximately 2/3 rookies and 1/3 veterans.
The 2023 edition of the Holy Grail of Ultra Running. On the obverse is engraved DETUR DIGNIORI = “Let it Be Given to those Most Worthy“ in Latin.
A true “challenge of the champions,” the Badwater 135 pits up to 100 of the world’s toughest endurance athletes against one another and the elements. The time limit is forty-eight hours and the finisher’s award is the coveted Badwater 135 belt buckle, the Holy Grail of endurance sports, pictured above.
The Badwater 135 is, and always has been, an invitational race. Applicants will be considered purely upon their race application and its specific written merits.
Questions of “Will you get in?” and “What’s the best way to get in?” are answered on this webpage. Additionally, we recommend reading article.
Race Field Announcements
2023 Badwater 135 race field: Facebook Live video on February 4, 2023
2022 Badwater 135 race field: Facebook Live video on January 30, 2022
2021 Badwater 135 race field: Facebook Live video on March 6, 2021
2020 Badwater 135 race field: Facebook Live on February 15, 2020
2019 Badwater 135 race field: Facebook Live, Part 1, on February 15, 2019 | Part Two
2018 Badwater 135 race field: Facebook Live on February 18, 2018
2017 Badwater 135 race field: Facebook Live on February 9, 2017
2024 Badwater 135 Qualifying Standards
Those submitting an application to compete in the 2024 Badwater 135 Ultramarathon must meet at least ONE of the following THREE Qualifying Standards. Please review these Qualifying Standards to determine which standard(s) describes you, if any. You will be required to select at least one of these when you submit your race application. Those who do not meet at least one of these standards MAY NOT apply.
Here are the 2024 Qualifying Standards, at least ONE of which must be met prior to applying for the 2024 Badwater 135:
- You have officially finished the Badwater 135 at least once in 2021-2023 AND have completed at least one 50-mile or longer ultra running event between January 1, 2023 and the day you submit your 2024 application.
- You have officially finished the Badwater 135 between 1987 and 2019 AND have completed at least 100-mile or longer ultra running event between January 1, 2023 and the day you submit your 2024 application.
- You have officially finished at least four ultra running races of 100 continuous miles or longer, at least one of them between January 1, 2023 and the day you submit your 2024 application. Additionally, you must have been running 100-mile or longer ultras for three years (your first 100 was in 2021 or earlier.) Note: Officially finishing the 81-mile BADWATER SALTON SEA race “counts” as a 100-mile race for this qualifying purpose.
Qualification Notes
- 24-Hour Races do not count as qualification races.
- 100-Mile Races held on a very short loop course – such as those held alongside 24-hour races – do not count as qualification races.
- Stage Races do not count as qualification races.
- “Backyard Ultra” / “Last Man Standing” races do not count as qualification races.
- Ultra Triathlon races do not count as qualification races.
- All application requirements must be attained prior to submitting the application to compete in the upcoming Badwater 135 Ultramarathon. We will not consider incomplete applications, nor unqualified applicants.
Badwater 135 Guaranteed Entry Spots
NOTE: For all Guaranteed Entries listed below, in order to gain entry to the Badwater 135, Minimum Qualifying Standards must be met, a full application must be submitted during the standard application period, and the full entry fee must be paid. These Guaranteed Entries are non-transferable.
1) A limited number of very qualified* applicants have the opportunity to earn guaranteed acceptance into the race in exchange for a $8000 donation to Challenged Athletes Foundation or Bald Head Island Conservancy. The guidelines for this opportunity are explained near the bottom of this page.
2) The male and female 51-mile race winners at BADWATER CAPE FEAR will be awarded guaranteed entry into the next year’s Badwater 135.
3) The male and female winners at BRAZIL 135 will be awarded guaranteed entry into the same year’s, or next year’s (but not both years), Badwater 135.
Organized by a Badwater 135 veteran, Mario Lacerda, BRAZIL 135 was created in the spirit of the Badwater 135, featuring 135 miles of hot, mountainous terrain in the middle of Summer (January in Brazil).
4) The men’s and women’s solo winners of the KEYS 100 in Florida will earn guaranteed entry into the next year’s Badwater 135. Organized by Bob Becker – a veteran of all the Badwater races – the KEYS 100 has become legend in the world of ultra running.
5) Additionally, last year’s men’s and women’s champions of the following races earn Guaranteed Entry into the next year’s Badwater 135:
– Angeles Crest 100
– Spartathlon
– Swiss Alps 100
– UTMB
– Western States 100
NOTE: For all Guaranteed Entries listed above, in order to gain entry to the Badwater 135, Minimum Qualifying Standards must be met, a full application must be submitted during the standard application period, and the full entry fee must be paid. These Guaranteed Entries are non-transferable.
Preferred Qualifying Races
Not all 100-mile (and longer) races are created equal; some are more suitable than others for preparing a Badwater 135 applicant to be successful at the world’s toughest foot race.
Our view of ultrarunning is expansive, with the experience of an epic route being intrinsic to what we call “exploring the outer and inner universes.” Also, the physical, mental, emotional, and logistical challenge of traversing a widely varying course with a plethora of terrain and climatic changes provides a more rewarding – and challenging – experience.
Applicants who have completed some of the following Preferred Qualifying Races will have a greater chance of being selected to compete in the Badwater 135 (And male and female winners of those marked with an * earn Guaranteed Entry into the next Badwater 135; see above for details):
*Angeles Crest 100, California, USA, 100mi / 162km, Website
Arrowhead 135, Minnesota, 135mi / 217km, Website
*Brazil 135, Brazil, 135mi / 217km, Website
Badwater Salton Sea, California, USA, 81mi / 130km, Website
Chimera 100, California, USA, 100mi / 162km (Held 2010-2017)
Coast to Kosciuszko, Australia, 149mi / 240km, Website
Coastal Georgia Greenway 155, Georgia, 155mi / 250km, Website
Connemara 100, Ireland, 100mi / 162km, Website
Down Under 135, Australia, 135mi / 217km, Website
Eastern States 100, Pennsylvania, 103mi / 166km, Website
Elton Ultra, Russia, 125mi / 220km, Website
Fat Dog 120 Trail Race, British Columbia, Canada, 120mi / 193km, Website
Folsom 100, California, USA, 100mi / 162km, Website
Grand Union Canal Race, United Kingdom, 145mi / 233km, Website
Hardmoors 110, United Kingdom, 110mi / 168km, Website
Hardrock 100, Colorado, USA,100mi / 162km, Website
HURT 100, Hawaii, USA, 100mi / 162km, Website
*Keys 100, Florida, USA, 100mi / 162km, Website
Kodiak 100 Ultra, USA, 100mi / 162km, Website
La Diagonale des Fous, Réunion Island, 102mi / 164km, Website
Lakeland 100, United Kingdom, 100mi / 162km, Website
Leadville Trail 100, Colorado, USA, 100mi / 162km, Website
Miami 100, Florida, USA, 100mi / 162km, Website
Nove Colli, Italy, 125mi / 202km, Website
North Downs Way 100, United Kingdom, 100mi / 162km, Website
Northburn 100, New Zealand, 100mi / 162km, Website
Pinhoti 100, Alabama, USA, 100mi / 162km, Website
Sinister 7, Alberta, Canada, 100mi / 162km, Website
*Spartathlon, Greece, 153mi / 256km, Website
Superior 100 Fall Trail Race, Minnesota, USA, 100mi / 162km, Website
*Swiss Alps 100, Switzerland, 100mi / 160km, Website
Tortour de Ruhr, Germany, 143mi / 230km, Website
Ultra Milan-Sanremo, Italy, 175mi / 281km, Website
*Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, France, 103mi / 166km, Website
Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji, Japan, 102mi / 165km, Website
Ultrabalaton, Hungary, 136mi / 220km, Website
Wasatch Front 100, Utah, USA, Website
*Western States 100, California, USA, 100mi / 162km, Website
Application Process
STEP 1: Between January 2 and 500pm, Pacific Time, January 16, 2024, applicants must complete the online Race Application Form.
STEP 2: For those applicants who have experience as a pacer at the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon: A letter of recommendation from the athlete for whom the applicant paced at the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon is highly recommended. It must be sent by email from the person for whom the applicant paced directly to the Badwater race office. It must be sent to adventurecorps-at-gmail-dot-com before the application is submitted.
STEP 3: On February 3 we will announce the race field via Facebook Live video on the Badwater page on Facebook . Athletes who are confirmed to compete on February 3 will have their credit cards charged that day for the full entry fee amount. Each invited applicant will be emailed the Entrant Contract, Waiver, and optional Charitable Donation Form. We will also email all other applicants to let them know of their status.
STEP 4: Before February 19, invited runners must submit the paperwork – in paper form, not electronic – to the race office. Athletes who miss this deadline will forfeit their entry in the race and their spot will be made available to next most qualified applicant.
Step 5: On February 22, confirmed entrants in the race will have their name, essential biographical information, social media links, and perhaps some selected quotes posted on the race website, and printed in BADWATER Magazine, and/or used in a promotional manner. Complete application forms and/or contact info for any or all athletes may be made available to the media or race sponsors, but will not be made available to the public or posted to the website.
Advice for Submitting an Application:
- All Applicants are encouraged to take the application process seriously and compose a detailed and accurate application.
- Applications should be written as if the reader has never heard of the applicant and has no prior knowledge of the entrant or any of the events in which he/she has participated, including Badwater events.
- Acronyms and initials should not be used when listing events and such; please type out the full name of any event, person, or place mentioned in the application.
- For every race mentioned, the application must include the full race name, year, place, and finishing time.
- Some special consideration is given to applicants who are veteran Badwater 135 pacers. (If you were a crew member at Badwater 135, a letter of recommendation from the athlete for whom you paced at the Badwater 135 is required. It must be sent by email from the person for whom you paced directly to the Badwater race office. It must be sent to adventurecorps-at-gmail-dot-com immediately prior to your application submission.)
In preparing your application, keep in mind the standard reasons that generally lead to some applicants not being invited:
- #1 Reason: We receive an avalanche of incredible applications, while we can only have 100 runners on the start line. Many MUST be turned away, including super qualified and well-known ultrarunners and Badwater 135 veterans.
- The applicant only just met the minimum standards.
- The applicant’s credentials are only recent, with only a few years of ultra running experience.
- The applicant has no experience in extreme heat, extreme conditions, or on the Badwater course as a crew member / pacer.
- The applicant didn’t “prove” his or her claims (For example: They said they paced at Badwater 135, but no letter of recommendation was received. or they claimed they finished or won various races, but didn’t provide any proof.)
- The applicant submitted a “thin” application: very few qualifications were listed, and not much effort was made in completing the application. (Applicants should not assume “we have already heard of him/her”.)
Due to permit, safety, and operational restrictions that limit the field to 100 entrants, we apologize now that many qualified applicants will not be accepted. We encourage those not invited to attend the race as a crew member which is a gratifying experience and an outstanding addition to a future application.
Entry Fees, Refunds, Awards, and Charity Entries
Awards: All competitors who begin the event will receive a Badwater® t-shirt, Badwater® hat, Badwater® Magazine, Badwater® tote bag or backpack, Badwater® sunglasses, and other Badwater® items, as well as entry into the post-race pizza party for the competitor and up to four crew members. All competitors who officially complete the event within 48 hours will receive a Badwater® 135 finisher’s t-shirt and Badwater® belt buckle.
Race Entry Fee: The Badwater 135 entry fee is $1595 and may only be paid via credit card immediately upon acceptance into the race. Refunds – less $500 – are available until May 1, 2024 upon written (email) request. No exceptions. There are no roll-overs, and no credits given.
Where Does the Entry Fee Go?: It costs a fortune to organize a world-class event in this remote, unique, and inhospitable environment, more so than ever in 2015 and beyond with the release of Death Valley National Park’s 73-page “Rules & Regulations for Sporting Events” document with its myriad new requirements and expenses. Everything we need – and everybody we need – has to be transported to the race location from 150 to 3000 miles away. Some of the key expenditures are: insurance, permits, ambulance, expenses for up to 50 volunteers (hotels, gas, food, and more, for five days), the medical team (and associated expenses and supplies), the webcast team (and associated expenses and supplies), renting up to 20 satellite phones and 20 high-powered radios, graphic design, web hosting, web design, web software and database development, advertising, promotional expenses, printing, postage, utilities, overhead, rental cars, airfares, food, drink, ice, medals, buckles, t-shirts and hats, and the post-race pizza party for 400+ people. Last, but not least, the Race Director spends about 1000 hours per year working specifically on behalf of this event. Others work tirelessly year-round, too, to create a safe and successful race. Finally, we only have up to 100 entry fees, not hundreds like some races.
Entry Fee Refunds via CAF Fund-raising: Race entrants may have their entry fee reimbursed by raising at least $8000 for Challenged Athletes Foundation, an Official Charity of the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon. Fund-raising for CAF is made simple with a fully automated and personalized webpage where friends, family, and co-workers may donate in a secure and simple manner. The $8000 must be raised in full by July 15 of this year. On approximately August 1, those race entrants who raised at least $8000 – as verified by CAF – will be refunded $1595 by check.
Guaranteed Entry in the Race For Official Charity Donors: The race organizers will give a limited number of very qualified* applicants the opportunity to be guaranteed acceptance into the race in exchange for a $8000 donation to Challenged Athletes Foundation or to Bald Head Island Conservancy (at our discretion, as to which organization.) Here are the guidelines for this opportunity:
1) *Official Charity applicants MUST be fully qualified for Badwater 135 AND must have completed at least two of the Preferred Qualifying Races from the list above on this webpage.
2) A full application must be submitted during the standard application window. Within the application, the applicant must state “I am willing to make a $8000 donation RIGHT NOW to any of the Official Charities of the Badwater 135, in order to guarantee my acceptance in the race.”
3) The Race Application Committee will review the application, and if they unanimously agree to accept the applicant, the applicant will receive an Entry Acceptance email. At that time, the applicant must immediately donate $8000 to CAF or BHIC (at our discretion) via check or the special weblink provided. Upon confirmation of that donation by CAF or BHIC, the applicant will receive notice of their Confirmed Entry in the race. Race paperwork will still be required, but the race entry fee will be waived.
PLEASE NOTE: This offer is only available during the standard application window. It may not be utilized later, for example by an applicant who was not accepted into the race, in order to gain entry.
Finally, any applicant who utilizes this offer to enter the race must take advantage of this opportunity during the current year. If he or she is unable to race this year for some reason, entry will NOT be guaranteed in a later year.
2024 Application
The 2024 Badwater 135 Ultramarathon application will be available from 1000am, January 2 to 500pm, January 16, 2024 only! Click here for the 2024 application.
There will be no Wait List.
NOTE: If you are racing Brazil 135 this year – or any other relevant race held between January 2 and 16 – please wait until after completing that race before submitting your Badwater 135 application. (Once your application is submitted to us, no changes or additions may be made.)
