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For Immediate Release

Runners to Challenge 135 Miles from
Death Valley to Mt. Whitney

ADVENTURECORPS PRESENTS THE BADWATER ULTRAMARATHON

AdventureCORPS, Inc., an event production firm specializing in ultra-endurance and extreme sports events, will host the 33rd Anniversary Badwater Ultramarathon on July 12-14, 2010. Recognized globally as "the world's toughest foot race," this legendary event pits up to 90 of the world's toughest athletes—runners, triathletes, adventure racers, and mountaineers—against one another and the elements. Covering 135 miles (217km) non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA in temperatures up to 130F (55c), it 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 Mt. Whitney Portal at 8360' (2533m). The Badwater course covers three mountain ranges for a total of 13,000' (3962m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 4,700' (1433m) 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 and landmarks including Mushroom Rock, Furnace Creek, Salt Creek, Devil's Cornfield, Devil's Golf Course, Stovepipe Wells, Keeler, and Lone Pine.

A true "challenge of the champions," the 2010 AdventureCORPS Badwater Ultramarathon features 39 Badwater veterans and 41 rookies: die hard “ultra-runners” of every speed and ability, and athletes who have the necessary running credentials, but are primarily known for their exploits as adventure racers, mountaineers, triathletes, or in other extreme pursuits. They represent sixteen countries—Australia (4), Bolivia (1), Brazil (5), Canada (1), Czech Republic (1), France (2), Germany (2), Iran (1), Israel (1), Japan (1), Mexico (3), New Zealand (1), Romania (1), Switzerland (1), UK (7), and US (46)—and nineteen America states. There are 13 women and 67 men. The youngest runner is 20 (Nickademus Hollon of San Diego, CA, a 2009 finisher) while the oldest is 75 (Jack Denness of the UK, an eleven-time finisher who last completed Badwater at age 70), with an average age of 44. More details.

The men's course record is held by Valmir Nunez of Brazil with a time of 22:51:29 set in 2007, while the women's course record of 26:51:33 was set in 2008 by Jamie Donaldson of Littleton, CO. It is expected that the winner of the 2010 AdventureCORPS Badwater Ultramarathon will finish in 22 to 26 hours. The average finishing time is approximately 40-48 hours, while the overall time limit is 60 hours. For those who finish in less than forty-eight hours, their reward is the coveted Badwater belt buckle. There is no prize money.

The 2010 race field is particularly competitive. Veteran contenders include 2009 men's champion Marcos Farinazzo, 40, of Brazil, 2008 men's champion Jorge Pacheco, 42, of Los Angeles, CA (Mexico citizenship), Oswaldo Lopez, 38, of Madera, CA (2nd place in 2009; Mexico citizenship), and Zack Gingerich, 30, of Aurora, IL (3rd place in 2009). Two other former champions are also competing: Marshall Ulrich, 59, of Idaho Springs, CO (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996), and David Jones, 56, of Eagleville, TN (1997).

The women's field,with 13 entrants, is also deep with talent, most notably 2008 and 2009 women's champion Jamie Donaldson, 35, of Littleton, CO and Pam Reed, 49, of Tucson, AZ, the 2002 and 2003 overall champion who also won the women's field in 2005 and placed 2nd woman and 7th overall in 2009.

Every year is a new year at the Badwater Ultramarathon, with rookies and "previously unknown" athletes surprising the contenders with top performances. New stars will shine as the race unfolds in July.

Now in its eleventh year producing this race, AdventureCORPS is pleased to welcome the support of race sponsors Moeben Sleeves, ZombieRunner.com, and Hammer Nutrition, as well as Joshua Tree Products, Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort, Panamint Springs Resort, Seasons Restaurant of Lone Pine, Pizza Factory of Lone Pine, Dow Villa of Lone Pine, the community of Lone Pine, CA, and many other generous companies and individuals. More info here.

The Official Charity of the Badwater Ultramarathon is 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 nineteen million dollars and directly assisted thousands of challenged athletes world wide. One of the goals of the Badwater Ultramarathon is to raise funds for, and awareness of, this organization. AdventureCORPS and Badwater Ultramarathon are also pleased to support the Death Valley Natural History Association and Major Taylor Association, and are proud members of 1% For The Planet and the Conservation Alliance. More info here.

This year, 61 of the race entrants are competing on behalf of a charity of their choice. Some of those include Caring House Project Foundation, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Death Valley Natural History Association, Terry Fox Foundation, Médicos Sin Fronteras, and others.

This year's race celebrates the 33rd anniversary of ultrarunning pioneer and human potential guru Al Arnold's original trek from Badwater to Mt. Whitney in 1977. More about Al's 1977 run. Arnold competed in a solo effort: just Arnold and his support crew against the elements and the clock. The official head-to-head race began ten years after Arnold's pioneer trek, in 1987. More about the original race in 1987.

WEBCAST, RACE UPDATES, PRESS CREDENTIALS, AND FURTHER INFORMATION:
For the duration of the race, fans can follow the race through a “live” webcast produced by AdventureCORPS and hosted here at www.badwater.com/2010web/. A steady stream of updates will also be posted through Twitter at http://twitter.com/adventurecorps

Professional quality images of the race—as featured in the race webcast—will be available. Contact the race office for further information. Press must apply for credentials in advance of the race by downloading the press kit and submitting it before July 6 then check-in on Sunday, July 11 at the Pre-Race Meeting.

All potential media/professional organizations intending to shoot video in any format for any purpose or market must apply for permission to shoot the event and enter into a non-exclusive fiilming agreement, as well as apply for, and receive, filming permits from multiple government agencies.

The AdventureCORPS Badwater Ultramarathon is held under permits from Death Valley National Park, California Department of Transportation, Inyo National Forest, and Inyo County.

ABOUT ADVENTURECORPS:
La Jolla, CA-based AdventureCORPS, Inc. is an athlete-run firm producing and promoting ultra-endurance and extreme sports events, lifestyle, and media. Adventure is our way of life. AdventureCORPS' world-class events for athlete-adventurers include epic races such as the Badwater Ultramarathon and Furnace Creek 508, the annual Rough Riders Rally in Marin County, plus several 100- and 200-mile cycling events in Death Valley and San Diego County's Mount Laguna. AdventureCORPS also hosts and develops several adventure-related websites and blogs and provide a variety of adventure-related services. Founded in 1984 by Chris Kostman, this group effort is dedicated to exploring the inner and outer universes, seeking adventure, energy, and insight both in daily life and "out there." More information.