Last fall, the National Park Service issued a temporary ban that placed restrictions on events like the Badwater Ultramarathon, pointing to factors such as high temperatures that pose safety risks for participants. Badwater, the 135-mile race that takes runners from Badwater Basin, through Death Valley, and to the portal at Mount Whitney, is notorious for being “the world’s toughest foot race.”

Because of the temporary ban, event organizers were forced to alter the course this summer to follow Lone Pine, around Death Valley, a 5,500-foot climb up Cerro Gordo, and ending at the portal at Mount Whitney. In late August, Death Valley National Park decided the ban will become permanent.

“Death Valley is the hottest place in the world and holds the record for the highest temperature ever recorded at 134 °F (56.7 °C). Air temperatures, recorded in the shade, commonly reach over 120 °F (48 °C) during the months of June through September,” the assessment states. Badwater is held in July, although the NPS has advised people to avoid strenuous activities in the park during summer months.

The full assessment also addresses this discrepancy between park officials stating people should avoid strenuous activities, yet still allowing events like Badwater to continue. “Visitors have questioned why the park allows running events to take place during the hottest time of the summer, when they are advised not to engage in outdoor physical activity. By permitting events to take place during summer months, the park has provided a mixed message to park visitors and other users,” it states.

Park spokeswoman Cheryl Chipman told the Press Enterprise the park hosts between 10 and 14 sporting events each year, and the goal of the new restrictions is to eliminate safety risks as much as possible while still allowing the events to continue. She noted that another concern is holding events at night in areas of low visibility with limited communication. Under the new restrictions, nighttime events will only be held five times per month, when the moon is full, she said.

In the future, the Badwater Ultramarathon is expected to follow the altered course that was set this year by race director Chris Kostman.

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