AdventureCORPS®, Inc. hosts BADWATER® Salton Sea annually in late April or early May (but in 2021 it will be held in early November instead.) This remarkable event challenges up to 45 teams of two or three (and now four) ultrarunners – running together as duos and trios for the duration, NOT in a relay – to tackle an unimaginable traverse of Southern California deserts and mountains. The route covers 81 miles (130km) from Salton City (elevation 234 feet / 71m below sea level) to Palomar Mountain, the almost tallest mountain in San Diego County (elevation 5500 feet / 1676m.) Eight of the 81 race miles pass through Anza-Borrego State Park on a single track trail known as the California Riding and Hiking Trail from near Borrego Springs to near Ranchita, creating a race route which is a mix of road and trail. There is a total elevation gain of over 9000 feet (2740m).
The seven previous editions were received with wide acclaim. The eighth edition, featured here, was held November 7-8, 2021. The 2022 edition will be held on its usual Spring schedule on May 1-2, 2022.
Links: Race Roster | Race Results | Race Magazine | Race Home
Race Director Images | Race Staff Images
IMAGE GALLERIES
CLICK: Racer Mugshots + Racers pose with their Support Crews by Chris Kostman, November 6, 2021
CLICK: Pre-Race Activities – including visiting Ranchita, visiting the Sea Serpent and other amazing sculptures in Borrego Springs’ Galleta Meadows, visiting the start line at Salton City, and then the Pre-Race Meeting – by Chris Kostman, November 5-6, 2021.
CLICK: Race Day images (iPhones 1 & 2) from the Salton Sea start line to Borrego Springs (mile 35) by Chris Kostman, November 7, 2021.
CLICK: NEW! Race Day images (Sony A7) from the Salton Sea start line to almost Borrego Springs (mile 30) by Chris Kostman, November 7, 2021.
CLICK: MASSIVE, INCREDIBLE Race Day image gallery (427 images) from the Salton Sea start line to Borrego Springs Resort (Mile 35) by Ian Parker, November 7, 2021.
CLICK: NEW! MASSIVE, INCREDIBLE Race day image gallery (297 images) from Borrego Springs to the Palomar Mountain finish line – including incredible scenery shots and runners mid-way up the trail -plus dramatic finish line pix by Ian Parker, November 7-8, 2021.
CLICK: NEW! Race days image and video gallery from Borrego Springs (mile 35) to the trailhead (mile 40) to Ranchita (mile 50) to all of the triumphant finishers at the Palomar Mountain (mile 81) finish lines images by Chris Kostman, November 7-8, 2021.
Facebook Live Videos
CLICK TO VIEW: Live from the Salton Sea Start Line, the before the race began. (It’s an annual tradition for runners and crews to go check out the Start line area the day before the race.) November 6, 2021
CLICK TO VIEW: Live from Borrego Springs Resort, Stuffing Goodie Bags for the Race Competitors. November 6, 2021
CLICK TO VIEW: Live from Borrego Springs Resort, seeing the entire race field at the conclusion of the pre-race meeting. November 6, 2021.
CLICK TO VIEW: Live from the Salton Sea Start Line AND the first 40 minutes of the race, live from along the course! November 7, 2021.
CLICK TO VIEW: Live from Salton City at Mile 6 of the 2021 Badwater Salton Sea! November 7, 2021.
CLICK TO VIEW: Live from Ranchita, mile 50.3 and checkpoint 4! Meeting and talking with Mike, the proprietor of Montezuma Valley Market about their efforts to rebuild – and expand – after their store burned down this past April. Support them by being their customer! And here’s a chance to donate to their rebirth. November 7, 2021.
CLICK TO VIEW: The Race Leaders – three-man team Wyco Wolfpack of Kansas City – on the final 11 mile ascent of Palomar Mountain to the finish line! November 7, 2021.
CLICK TO VIEW: Live from the Palomar Mountain finish line with three-man winning team Wyco Wolfpack of Kansas City. November 7 2021.
CLICK TO VIEW: Live from the Palomar Mountain finish line: first 3-Mixed team Bat (2nd overall and a new 3-mixed Course Record). November 8, 2021.
CLICK TO VIEW: Live from the Palomar Mountain finish line: third-place team Chasing Who. November 8, 2021.
CLICK TO VIEW: Team Shake N Bake takes fourth place overall and First Place Two-Runner Team. November 8, 2021.
Special thanks to the Race Volunteers!
Joe Nakumura and Ian Enriquez: Checkpoint 1 (Mile 14.4, Microwave Tower) and Checkpoint 4 (Mile 50.3, Ranchita)
Dave and Margaret Nelson: Checkpoint 2 (Mile 35.2, Borrego Springs Resort)
Luke Way and Jeff Bell: Trail Marking, Checkpoint 3 (Mile 40.5 Lower Trailhead), and Trail Sweep
Dr. Russ Reinbolt: Medical Support
Dr. Kent Wang: Medical Support
Mark Maunder: Medical Support
Scott Wall: Roving Support
Ian Parker: Photography
Finish Line and Roving: Stacey Shand, Jeff Bell, Luke Way, and others
Chris Kostman: Race Director, Roving Official, Photography, Webcast, and Finish Line
Thank You!
This event is held under permits from Imperial County, San Diego County, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and the California Department of Transportation. We thank all our permitting agencies and local area friends for their support!
Official Race Sponsors
