Trails to Tales
This week’s ultramarathon race results include The Barkley Fall Classic, Mammoth Trail Fest, Grindstone 100, and IMTUF.
The post Ultra Weekend Recap — September 21, 2025 appeared first on Ultra Running Magazine.
Getting good sleep before your ultra is crucial. Find comfortable, affordable accommodations near your race start.
This weekend’s ultramarathon race calendar includes Mountain Lakes 100, Dances with Dirt – Hell, MI, The Georgia Jewel, Wild Goose Trail Festival, and Rivers Edge Ultra.
The post What’s Up in Ultra This Weekend — September 20, 2025 appeared first on Ultra Running Magazine.
Training for ultra marathons often takes you to remote locations. Stay connected with reliable mobile internet wherever your training takes you.
This weekend’s ultramarathon race calendar features Run Rabbit Run, Rib Mountain Trail Races, Mountaineer Rumble 12 Hour, Boulder Field 100, and the Divide 200.
The post What’s Up in Ultra This Weekend — September 13, 2025 appeared first on Ultra Running Magazine.
Training for ultra marathons often takes you to remote locations. Stay connected with reliable mobile internet wherever your training takes you.
Cody Poskin is a recent Ole Miss graduate who rose to prominence with a win at the Jackpot 100 in February, and a top ten finish at Cocodona this past May. Cody’s love for running and adventure is infectious, and he shared with us what keeps him motivated to try new things.
The post Rising Star on the Trails: Cody Poskin appeared first on Ultra Running Magazine.
Long training runs mean muddy gear and dirty floors. Spend more time training and less time cleaning with automated cleaning solutions.
Tracksmith has dabbled in trail running apparel in the past, but the Eliot Range is their first dedicated shoe for that purpose. It’s designed to move fast over relatively mellow ground surfaces, with a lightweight build and sleek construction that lends itself toward racing.
The post REVIEW: Tracksmith Eliot Range Trail Shoe appeared first on Ultra Running Magazine.
Traveling to your next 100-miler? Find the best deals on rental cars to get you to the starting line without breaking the budget.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: John Trent, WSER Media Relations, press@wser.org
HOT DAY, HOT FINISHES: OLSON AND HALL CAPTURE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TITLES AT 52ND WSER
AUBURN, Calif. – On a day where the high temperature on the course reached 99 degrees at one point, men’s champion Caleb Olson and women’s champion Abby Hall posted two of the fastest winning times in race history during the Western 52nd annual Western States Endurance Run, held June 28-29.
Olson, 29, of Draper, Utah, outdueled one of the deepest men’s fields ever assembled at Western States and came very close to establishing a course record in winning in 14 hours and 11 minutes and 25 seconds. Olson was less than two minutes off Jim Walmsley’s 2019 course record of 14:09:28. Chris Myers, 29, of Nederland, Colorado, finished second in 14:17 – the fourth-fastest time in race history. One of the sport’s most legendary and enduring figures, 2011 WSER champion Kilian Jornet, a 37-year-old who lives in Norway but is originally from Spain, finished third in 14:19 – the fifth-fastest time ever, making this year the fastest podium in Western States history.
“It’s pretty unbelievable,” said Olson, who in addition to becoming the first Utah runner to ever win the race was joined at the finish on the Placer High track in Auburn, California, by his wife Morgan and the couple’s seven-week-old newborn, Marshall. “I was not sure how the day would go and I set a really high goal for myself and I thought, ‘It’s probably going to take a course record to win today and if I’m going to go for a course record, sub-14 would be pretty cool.’
“And I held that up until mile 80. I was upon on those (course record) splits. And then I started paying for it. Turns out sub-14 is really fast. Jim’s record is really fast Eventually, I saw it probably wasn’t going to happen and I’d rather have a nice, enjoyable experience running it in.”
Hall, 34, of Flagstaff, Arizona, capped an incredible comeback story after sustaining a serious knee injury in 2023 to post the fourth-fastest women’s time ever winning in 16:37. Hall only learned she had gained entry into the race in late April. That was when EmKay Sullivan, a Reno, Nevada runner who had finished ahead of Hall in a Golden Ticket race series event earlier in the year, announced that she would use WSER’s pregnancy deferral option. Fuzhao Xiang, 33, of China, finished second in 16:47 (the seventh-fastest time in history) with Canada’s Marianne Hogan, 35, finishing third in 16:50.
“The quote I kept repeating to myself and thinking of this whole week was something like what’s for you, will find you,” Hall said. “I have really felt like I was meant to be here. I pushed through two hard Golden Ticket events and I just felt so fortunate at the way it worked out with the ticket roll down. It’s really surreal.”
Hall either led or was right at the front of the women’s race almost from the very beginning on Saturday. She took the lead for good at Michigan Bluff at mile 55.7 and extended her advantage to 10 minutes at the Foresthill aid station at mile 62. Olson was part of a tightly bunched men’s field that by the El Dorado Creek aid station at mile 52.9 had dwindled to Olson and Myers. Olson began a steady surge that saw his lead grow to seven minutes at the Rucky Chucky river crossing aid station at mile 78.
Saturday’s run was held under sunny skies and on a course with no snow, traveling from the start at Olympic Valley, California to the finish 100.2 miles later at Placer High School in Auburn, California. 285 of the run’s 369 starters finished, including 72-year-old Jan Vleck, a retired family medicine doctor from Olympia, Washington. Vleck, who ran 29:02, became the second-oldest finisher in race history, behind only Nick Bassett, who was 73 when he finished Western States in 2018. Vleck was a part of an historic group of over-70 runners – there were five male entrants in the 70 to 79 age group and one 80-year-old, Bassett – who were entered in 2025, the most over-70 runners in race history. Vleck was the only one of the group to finish. Lesley Dellamonica, 60, of Truckee, California, was the oldest female finisher and won the 60 to 69 women’s age group in 27:36. Western States continued its worldwide surge in popularity, with more than 30 foreign countries represented with an audience of 1.2 million people throughout its 31-hour Live Broadcast. Only 64 of this year’s runners had ever competed in Western States before; 305 were first-time entrants.
ABOUT WESTERN STATES: First held in 1974, the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run has a 369-runner field from throughout the United States and more than 30 countries. Western States is considered one of the world’s preeminent 100-mile trail races. Its mission is to stage a transformational and quality world-class event for its runners, as well as perform trail stewardship and conduct medical research studies for the betterment of the sport. Held on the last full weekend in June starting in Olympic Valley, California, the 100.2-mile event travels through the Sierra high country and the canyons of the American River on the ancestral lands of the Washoe and Nisenan tribes, before finishing at Placer High School in Auburn, California.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: John Trent, WSER Media Relations, press@wser.org
WITH TWO OF THE DEEPEST AND MOST COMPETITIVE FIELDS EVER, 2025 WSER IS ‘WIDE OPEN’
AUBURN, Calif. – Two of the deepest and most competitive fields ever assembled at the Western States Endurance Run will vie for victory during the 52nd annual event on Saturday, June 28. Western States starts at 5 a.m. at Palisades Tahoe Resort, at Olympic Valley, California. The world’s oldest trail 100 miler finishes on the Placer High School track in Auburn, California.
The women’s race features three of the top of four finishers from 2024’s race, which was the fastest in race history – Fuzhao Xiang of China (who ran the third-fastest time in race history behind 2024 champion Katie Schide in 16 hours and 20 minutes); Eszter Csillag, a native of Hungary living in Hong Kong (third in 16:42, the fourth-fastest time in race history); and Emily Hawgood of Beatrice, Zimbabwe, who spends much of the year living and training in the Auburn, California area (fourth in 16:48, the seventh-fastest time in race history).
The men’s race returns Rod Farvard of Mammoth Lakes, California, whose scintillating duel for more than 80 miles with 2024 champion Jim Walmsley culminated with a second-place finish in the third-fastest time in race history in 14:24, as well as fourth-place finisher Daniel Jones of Wellington, New Zealand, who ran the seventh-fastest time in race history in 14:32, and fifth-place finisher Caleb Olsen of Draper, Utah, who recorded the eighth-fastest time in race history in 14:40. Also entered are 2011 WSER champion Kilian Jornet, a native of Spain living in Norway who is generally considered to be the greatest male trail runner of all-time. Jornet will be making his first WSER appearance since his third-place finish in the legendary “Unbreakable WSER of 2010 and his victory in 2011. 2023 men’s champion Adam Peterman of Missoula, Montana, is also entered.
“When you factor in the HOKA Golden Ticket entrants (elite runners who have earned “Golden Tickets” and entry into Western States during a series of six highly competitive races in the United States and Europe), as well as the runners we have coming back in both our women’s and men’s races, this is easily one of the deepest and most competitive fields we’ve ever had,” Race Director Craig Thornley said. “Both races have so many great talents entered it’s very difficult to pick a favorite. They’re both wide open in the sense that anything can happen, and probably will, on race day. We’re excited to see how this year’s run will play out.”
In addition to the elite competitors, this year’s 369-runner field includes runners from throughout the United States and more than 30 countries. WSER’s entrants will vie for a sterling silver belt buckle for a sub-24-hour finish or a bronze belt buckle for a finish under the run’s 30-hour absolute cutoff. An added wrinkle in this year’s race is the presence of five competitors who are in the 70 to 79 age group and one who is 80 years old – the most over-70 runners ever to compete at Western States. The group includes Jan Vleck, 72, of Olympia, Washington; Michel Poletti, 70, of Chamonix, France; Ed Willson, 71, of Eugene, Oregon; Jim Howard, 70, of Applegate, California; Michael Koppy, 74, of Duluth, Minnesota. 80-year-old Nick Bassett, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, who is the race’s oldest finisher ever from his 2018 finish at age 73, is also entered. The oldest female entrant in this year’s run is Diane Grim, 65, of Boyertown, Pennsylvania.
Also attempting to make history is Adam Popp, 46, of Lafayette, Colorado. Popp, who lost his right leg as he was working to disarm a roadside bomb while serving in the military in Afghanistan in 2007, will attempt to become the first above-knee amputee to finish the race.
Western States traverses the high country of the historic Western States Trail through the Granite Chief Wilderness, then plunges into the deep canyons of the American River drainage. The runners pass through the sites of old mining settlements such as Last Chance, Deadwood and Michigan Bluff, making technical and challenging ascents and descents of more than 2,000 feet, before crossing the Middle Fork of the American River at mile 78 at the Rucky Chucky River Crossing aid station. From there, they make a final push to the finish line at Placer High.
The 2025 WSER will be streamed live on YouTube. Commentators Dylan Bowman and Corrine Malcolm will kick off the live broadcast at 4:15 a.m. on Saturday, June 28. The broadcast will continue through the entirety of the event and will conclude at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 29. Watch it at https://www.youtube.com/WSER100.
ABOUT WESTERN STATES: First held in 1974, the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run has a 369-runner field from throughout the United States and more than 30 countries. Western States is considered one of the world’s preeminent 100-mile trail races. Its mission is to stage a transformational and quality world-class event for its runners, as well as perform trail stewardship and conduct medical research studies for the betterment of the sport. Held on the last full weekend in June starting in Olympic Valley, California, the 100.2-mile event travels through the Sierra high country and the canyons of the American River on the ancestral lands of the Washoe and Nisenan tribes, before finishing at Placer High School in Auburn, California.
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Traveling to your next 100-miler? Find the best deals on rental cars to get you to the starting line without breaking the budget.
BERKELEY, CA – June 23, 2025 — GU Energy Labs, a leader in performance sports nutrition, is proud to announce the extension of its sponsorship of the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run (WSER) through 2029. This renewed commitment deepens GU’s longstanding partnership with the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race and reinforces both organizations’ shared dedication to endurance athletes, community building, and increasing representation in ultra running.
As official performance nutrition sponsor, GU provides full on-course nutrition support for the Western States Memorial Day Weekend Training Camp and race, as well as athlete education and training initiatives in the lead-up to race day. In alignment with its core values, the brand’s investment in increasing diverse representation is just as central to the partnership.
“GU Energy Labs has always set an incredible standard in enhancing and expanding the limits of human performance, and equally importantly, in building the human relationships that lead to a stronger sense of community and of belonging, said WSER President Topher Gaylord. “These are core organizational values that we have always felt are in perfect alignment with WSER’s vision and values. WSER and GU Energy Labs will continue to be focused on bringing the community of ultra runners closer together through this shared vision of the future. We are absolutely thrilled about this continuation of our longtime partnership with GU Energy Labs.”
Since 2022, GU has worked closely with the WSER board to provide race entries for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) runners – eight total to-date, including four in kinship with the Indigenous-led organization Rising Hearts. With the renewed sponsorship agreement, GU extends its financial and logistical support for these entries, ensuring trail running becomes more reflective of the broader running community.
“Western States is more than just a race—it’s a powerful platform for change,” said Amy Cameron, VP of Marketing at GU Energy Labs. “We’re proud to support athletes from all backgrounds taking their place on the start line. By extending our sponsorship through 2029, we’re making a long-term commitment fueling every runner’s journey to the finish line and to building a trail community that welcomes everyone.”
The 2025 Western States 100 kicks off on June 28 in Olympic Valley, California, where over 300 athletes from around the world will attempt to complete the historic 100-mile route from Palisades Tahoe to Auburn.
About GU Energy Labs
GU Energy Labs strives to help athletes reach their highest potential with products that deliver the right nutrients, in the right amounts, at the right time. Since its founding in 1993, GU has been committed to increasing access to sport for all. To that end, GU Gives – the company’s philanthropic arm – supports organizations and initiatives centered around 3 pillars: physical movement, environmental stewardship, and food awareness. Headquartered in Berkeley, CA, GU Energy Labs produces all of its Energy Gels onsite, largely through sustainable solar power. Learn more at www.guenergy.com.
Training for ultra marathons often takes you to remote locations. Stay connected with reliable mobile internet wherever your training takes you.
THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST FOOT RACE CELEBRATES 48th ANNIVERSARY OF ICONIC ROUTE FROM DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK TO MOUNT WHITNEY
For the duration of the 2025 race, fans can follow the race through a “live” webcast at this link (which will remain archived there.)
Facebook Live-Streaming at the Start Lines and along the route.
Follow the 2025 time splits and results at this link.
To download the July 2025 issue of BADWATER Magazine (20MB, 56 pages), click here.
For the 2025 Press Kit, click here.
See the bottom of this page for many more useful links.
Lone Pine, CA: On July 7-9, 2025, AdventureCORPS – now in our 41st year producing world-class events – will host its legendary BADWATER® 135 Ultramarathon, the 135-Mile World Championship presented by Mount to Coast. Now in its 48th year, this world-renowned event pits up to 100 of the world’s toughest athletes against one another and the elements in a crucible like no other. From below sea level in scorching temperatures to altitudes as high as 8,360 feet (2548m), 100 endurance athletes representing 24 nations plus 25 American states will face off in a grueling 135-mile non-stop running race from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA. Widely recognized as “the world’s toughest foot race,” the invitational Badwater 135 is the most demanding and extreme running race on the planet.
The start line is at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, 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 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 with names like Mushroom Rock, Furnace Creek, Salt Creek, Devil’s Cornfield, Devil’s Golf Course, Stovepipe Wells, Panamint Springs, Darwin, Keeler, Alabama Hills, and Lone Pine.
The Badwater 135 Ultramarathon is held under permits from – and in close collaboration with – Death Valley National Park, California Department of Transportation, U.S. Forest Service, and the County of Inyo. We thank them for their support and salute them for all they do to steward this majestic landscape year-round.
Above: Death Valley National Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds welcomes the 2025 Badwater 135 runners, crew, and staff.
AdventureCORPS – on behalf of all competitors and support crews – also gratefully acknowledges that these lands have been lived upon for at least 1000 years by native peoples, including the Timbisha Shoshone and the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone tribes who live on the race course today. We honor and share their deep reverence for these lands.
While runners began running the course in the 1970s, the race itself has been part of the fabric of life in Inyo County since 1987. A recent study indicated an annual economic impact of 1.2 million dollars, half of it spent in Death Valley National Park and surrounding gateway communities such as Lone Pine, CA. The race is supported by the Inyo County Board of Supervisors, the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce, and a wide panorama of businesses and charities which are positively impacted.
THE 2025 RACE FIELD
The ultimate “challenge of the champions,” the 2025 Badwater 135 – presented by Mount to Coast – features 30 Badwater previous finishers and 70 rookies: die hard “ultra-runners” who have the necessary running credentials to not only apply for, but be selected, to compete in the race.
As always, the race will boast a very impressive, very international field.
The 100 athletes (32 women and 68 men) in the 2025 Badwater 135 represent twenty-four nations: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and United States of America. See the full roster here.
Twenty-five different American states are represented: Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin.
There are 32 women and 68 men, 30 of whom have previously finished. The youngest runner is Kaylee Frederick, 20, of Johnstown, PA, and the oldest is Robert Becker, 80, of Fort Lauderdale,FL; both are Badwater 135 veterans. The overall average age is 48.
Of special note, this year Kimberlie Budzik is going for her tenth finish, Karla Kent is going for her thirteenth consecutive finish, Harvey Lewis is going for his fourteenth consecutive finish, Ray Sanchez is going for his 16th finish, and Danny Westergaard is going for his 18th consecutive finish.
Every year is a new year at the Badwater 135, with both veterans and rookie athletes impressing everyone with incredible, gutsy performances. With every single runner hungry to go home with the coveted Badwater 135 Official Finisher Belt Buckle – and give their absolute best performance – both known and new stars will shine as the race unfolds.
COURSE RECORDS and FINISHING TIMES:
Men’s: Yoshihiko Ishikawa, 2019, Japan: 21:33:01.
Women’s: Ashley Paulson, 2023, USA, 21:44:35.
For Age Group records and more info, click here.
It is expected that the winners of the 2025 Badwater 135 will finish in near record time for both men’s and women’s divisions. The average finishing time is approximately 40 hours, while the overall time limit is 48 hours. For those who finish in less than forty-eight hours, their reward is the coveted Badwater 135 belt buckle, referred to as “the Holy Grail of Ultra Running.” There is no prize money.
The 2024 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.
WAVE STARTS
As detailed on the race roster, the race will begin in three waves on Monday evening, July 7. They are assigned according to their predicted finishing time, with the Fast Runners going first, Faster Runners going second, and – at least on paper – the Fastest Runners going third.
• Wave 1 (800pm): 27 men and 11 women; 27 rookies and 11 veterans = 38 runners
• Wave 2 (900pm): 24 men and 13 women; 30 rookies and 7 veterans = 37 runners
• Wave 3 (1000pm): 17 men and 8 women; 13 rookies and 12 veterans = 25 runners
A LEGENDARY HISTORY
This year’s race celebrates the 48th anniversary of Al Arnold’s original trek from Badwater Basin to Mt. Whitney in 1977. Arnold, an ultrarunning pioneer, human potential guru, and health club manager, competed in a solo effort: it was just Arnold and his support crew against the elements and the clock. It took him three efforts before he was successful, having first attempted the route in 1974 and then 1975.
Four years later, Jay Birmingham also completed the course, in 1981. The official head-to-head race began ten years after Arnold’s pioneer trek, in 1987, and has been held annually since then without serious incident, fatality, or any citations issued by any branch of law enforcement. (The race was sadly canceled due to COVID-19 in 2020.)
AdventureCORPS brought Al to the race in 2002 and inducted him into the Badwater Hall of Fame. This was the 25th anniversary of his run, and he was treated like a rock star by everyone in attendance. Sadly, we lost our incredible friend Al Arnold when he passed away on September 6, 2017 at the age of 89. He is sorely missed, but his spirit lives on with each year’s edition of the world’s toughest foot race.
Jay Birmingham, who turns 80 in July, remains very active with the world of Badwater, not only by serving on the Badwater 135 Application Review Committee for more than 15 years, but also as an athlete. He has competed in all of the Badwater races over the past twenty years.
The first women to complete the course were Jeannie Ennis (USA) and Eleanor Adams (United Kingdom), both of whom competed in the inaugural race in 1987, along with American Tom Crawford and Brit Kenneth Crutchlow. Ennis was brought to the race as a special guest in 2005 and inducted into the Badwater Hall of Fame.
Al Arnold at the start line of the 2002 Badwater Ultramarathon.
For more info about Al Arnold and the original race click these links:
1977 Al Arnold / 1981 Jay Birmingham / 1987 Race
The Badwater 135 is the final event in the Badwater® Ultra Cup, a three-race series which began with the 51-mile Badwater® Cape Fear in March, continued with the 81-mile Badwater® Salton Sea in late April, and now concludes with the Badwater 135 in July. Those runners who complete all three events in the same calendar year are featured on the Badwater.com website and their virtues are extolled throughout the Internet and in future editions of BADWATER Magazine. In 2014, seven athletes completed the entire Badwater Ultra Cup, nine completed it in 2015, sixteen in 2016, fifteen in 2017, eight in 2018, eleven in 2019, six in 2021, seven in 2022, and 12 in 2023, and 7 in 2024. In 2025, eleven Badwater 135 runners have already completed both Badwater Cape Fear and Badwater Salton Sea, and will now attempt the final – and most difficult – leg of this epic, three-event series.
OFFICIAL SPONSORS AND CHARITIES
Now in its twenty-sixth year producing this race, AdventureCORPS is pleased to recognize Mount to Coast – the first performance shoe brand to specialize in ultra running and long-distance pursuits – as the Presenting Sponsor of all AdventureCORS / Badwater races in 2025 as well as the Official Shoe of Badwater.
AdventureCORPS also recognizes RoadID, Fenixlight, and De Soto Sport as Official Sponsors. We also thank the Oasis at Death Valley, Stovepipe Wells Resort, Panamint Springs Resort, and Dow Villa of Lone Pine, the community of Lone Pine, CA, the County of Inyo, the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce, and other generous companies and individuals who support Badwater 135 each year. More info about our sponsors.
Official Charities of Badwater 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 191 million dollars and directly assisted more than 44,000 challenged athletes in all 50 states and 70 countries world-wide. Since 2002, together with our athletes who fundraise, we have raised over $900,000 for Challenged Athletes Foundation.
AdventureCORPS also supports the Bald Head Island Conservancy, Death Valley Natural History Association, Conservation Alliance, and One Percent For The Planet. One of the goals of the Badwater 135 is to raise funds for, and awareness of, these organizations. More info. Additionally, many of the race entrants are competing on behalf of a charity of their choice, and these are noted and linked from the race roster.
For the duration of the 2025 race, fans can follow the race through a “live” webcast at this link (which will remain archived at that link.)
Follow the 2025 time splits and results at this link.
Official Hashtags across all social media: #Badwater135 and #WorldsToughestFootRace and #adventurecorps
Follow the AdventureCORPS staff’s live photostream on Instagram @BadwaterHQ
Follow the AdventureCORPS race staff’s photostream archive on Flickr
Follow our Facebook @Badwater135 page and the #Badwater135 Facebook conversation
Follow the AdventureCORPS YouTube Channel
Download the July 2025 issue of BADWATER Magazine at this link.
WEBCAST, RACE UPDATES, PRESS CREDENTIALS, AND FURTHER INFO:
A stock image gallery – for bona fide media use only – may be accessed at this link, with Photographer Name / Badwater.com attribution required.
For media wishing to attending the event in person, please contact us directly for the Media Kit and Credentials Application.
Founded in 1984 by Chris Kostman, Oak Park, California-based AdventureCORPS® has made its name producing the world’s toughest endurance races in dramatic, remote locations that few people would ever visit, let alone run or bike across. Held under the Badwater® banner, AdventureCORPS events have allowed runners and bicyclists to explore the Death Valley, Salton Sea, Cape Fear, Mojave Desert, and Nevada outback regions in the USA, as well as the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Mustang region of Nepal, Yunnan Province of China, and the Republic of Artsakh. AdventureCORPS has now produced more than 175 endurance sports events, and this is our 26th Badwater 135. For our 40-year (1984-2024) history, click here.
AdventureCORPS®, Inc. owns and represents BADWATER®, “The World’s Toughest Brand, Gear, and Races.” As a brand, BADWATER represents digging deep and going farther; it is the lifestyle brand for all who push their limits while exploring the outer and inner universes.
Badwater® is a federally registered trademark owned by AdventureCORPS, Inc.
More info: Adventurecorps.com and Badwater.com.
Chris Kostman
Chief Adventure Officer and Race Director
AdventureCORPS, Inc. 638 Lindero Canyon Road, #311
Oak Park, CA 91377 USA
Long training runs mean muddy gear and dirty floors. Spend more time training and less time cleaning with automated cleaning solutions.
The many tales of a storied and remarkable trans-Sierra trail will soon come alive with the opening of the Western States Trail Museum. Supported by the City of Auburn with a lease arrangement for a portion of the former City Hall in Auburn’s historic Central Square, and with tenant improvements underway, the Museum’s Board of Directors is hopeful the facility will open its doors later in 2025. The location is 1103 High Street, Suite 300, in Auburn, California.
In the mid-1960s, the Governors of Nevada and California encouraged preserving the Capitol-to-Capitol route between Carson City and Sacramento, along with its relevant artifacts and memorabilia. As a part of this history, the incredible lore of the Western States Trail stands ready to be shared with the public.
The mission of the Museum is to educate the public about the trail’s heritage through creative interpretive exhibits, artifacts, oral histories, docent-led field trips, speaker and film series, podcasts, and community engagements with modern day endurance events. The Western States Trail Museum archives will also serve as a research center for anyone who wants to learn more about this truly special trail. Please contact the Museum if you have something worth sharing.
The origin of the trail can be traced to the prehistoric era when Native Americans crossed the Sierra Nevada mountain range on trade routes to barter between the Nisenan, Washoe, and Paiute people, as well as to gather and hunt for food. By 1860, the Western States Trail route was well known as the shortest route over the Sierra Nevada from the gold mines of California’s Mother Lode to the Comstock Silver Lode in western Nevada.
In September, 1931, accompanied by five members from Parlor 59 of the Native Sons of the Golden West, Tahoe City, California Constable Robert Montgomery Watson and the group relocated and signed this early pioneer route that had been nearly forgotten. In 1955, Auburn businessman Wendell T. Robie led the founding of the annual Western States Trail 100 Mile One Day Ride, an equestrian event now known as the Tevis Cup. Robie established in 1974 what became an internationally celebrated crown jewel of ultramarathons, the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run.
For more information about the Museum or to get involved, visit www.wstrailmuseum.org or email info@wstrailmuseum.org
Traveling to your next 100-miler? Find the best deals on rental cars to get you to the starting line without breaking the budget.