Ultramarathon running in Death Valley
It is described as the toughest foot race in the world - a 48-hour test of endurance that pits elite runners against each other in the harshest physical and meteorological conditions.
For many of those taking part, the ultramarathon is the ultimate test of the human spirit.
With local and state authorisation, the race passes through the most desolate reaches of California’s Death Valley Park, and suitably named places such as Devil’s Cornfield and Furnace Creek. It features participants of different ages from all over the world who compete in temperatures that can reach 48.8C by day and 37.7C at night, but have even been known to hit 51.6C.
The first race took place in 1987 and has since become a regular fixture every July, when temperatures in the park reach their peak. The race is unusual in so far as the runners take part by invitation only (limited to around 100 runners) and is restricted to seasoned ultramarathon runners who have covered at least 100 miles or more over three years.
While no runner has ever died during the race, a few have been hospitalised. Runners are spaced out and are accompanied by a support van, setting off from Badwater Point, the lowest point in North America at 86 metres below sea level, and ending at the Whitney Portal, the highest point on the US mainland at 2,530 metres.
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