Runners to Challenge 135 Miles from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney
For Immediate Release
BADWATER ULTRAMARATHON
Berkeley, CA - AdventureCORPS, an event production firm specializing in ultra-endurance and extreme sports events, is hosting the Sun Precautions Badwater Ultramarathon on July 23-25, 2002. Other AdventureCORPS productions include Furnace Creek 508, a 508 mile bicycle race through Death Valley and the Mojave Desert held every October.
In July, 2002, 81 competitors from around the world will gather in California's Death Valley to run a blistering 135 miles through temperatures approaching 130F°. The Badwater course covers three mountain ranges for a total of 13,000' of vertical ascent and 4,700' of descent. It is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet.
The 2002 race roster includes 16 women and 65 men, citizens of eight different countries and 19 American states, 35 Badwater veterans and 46 rookies, die hard ultrarunners of every speed and ability, plus athletes who have the necessary ultrarunning credentials, but are also or primarily known for their exploits as adventure racers, mountaineers, triathletes, or some other "out there" pursuit. It's an amazingly diverse group, the biggest and deepest ever assembled to compete on these hallowed roads. Click here to see the 2002 invitation list.
This year's race celebrates the silver anniversary of ultrarunning pioneer and human potential guru Al Arnold's original trek from Badwater to Mt. Whitney in 1977. Mr. Arnold, now age 75, will be on hand at the race this July to lend his support to all the runners and to become the first inductee into the Badwater Hall of Fame.
Badwater, Death Valley marks the lowest elevation in the United States at 282' below sea level. The race finishes at the Mt. Whitney Portals at nearly 8,300'. The Portals are 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, Keeler and Lone Pine.
Competitors have 60 hours to complete the course. It is expected that the winner of the 2002 Sun Precautions Badwater Ultramarathon will finish in 26 to 30 hours. The average finishing time is approximately 48 hours.
For the third year in a row, the title sponsor of the Badwater Ultramarathon is Sun Precautions, the Everett, WA-based makers of Solumbra 30+ SPF sun protective clothing, medically accepted sun protection for sun sensitive and sun sensible people.
For the duration of the race, fans can follow the progress of the race through a live webcast produced by adventureCORPS and directed by Anurang Revri, Matt Frederick, and Scott McQueeney at www.badwater.com/2002webcast/.
Preparatory training clinics were hosted in May and July by ultra running legends, long-time Badwater volunteers, and three time finishers, "Badwater Mayor" Ben Jones, M.D. and "First Lady" Denise Jones.
Race sponsors include Sun Precautions, E-Caps, Hammer Nutrition, Brave Soldier, Seasons Restaurant of Lone Pine, Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort, Panamint Springs Resort, Dow Villa of Lone Pine, the community of Lone Pine, CA, Mediablend.com, CycleDesign.com, MattFrederickDesign.com, Nine Lives Products, and many other generous companies and individuals.
2002 Webcast | Results & Time Splits | Race Roster
Post-Race Press Release | Race Magazine (PDF)