Four observations from running the “World’s Toughest Footrace”:
On the Badwater 135 course, your crew becomes your lifeline. It’s estimated that your support vehicle will make up to 100 stops along the race course. The bottle refills, the nutrition tracking, lugging hundreds of pounds of ice, the constant gear management, the lack of sleep is all aimed at one purpose: getting the runner across that finish line.
You’re never alone. The entire Badwater 135 community; volunteers, other competitors, their crew members are all pushing and pulling you towards that buckle finish. It’s humbling and energizing.
You can trust your preparation. This was the most difficult idea to believe as the race approached. Even though I’m constantly reminding the athletes I coach of this concept, it’s often difficult to conceive when you’re approaching a race that you know will ask everything. But the more you trust, the better you’ll perform.
This race is incredible. Every difficult moment, every mountain pass, every valley with blistering triple digit heat rewards you with majestic views and inspiring geological features. From the salt flats of Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level to the Portal of Mount Whitney at 8,374 above sea level, the entire course is one long glorious vision.
-Ben Dicke, Boundless Coach
September 8, 2026
