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The Badwater Ultramarathon describes itself as "the world's toughest foot race". It is a 135 mile (217 km) course starting at 282 feet (85 m) below sea level in the Badwater Basin, in California's Death Valley, and ending at an elevation of 8360 feet (2548 m) at Whitney Portal, the trailhead to Mount Whitney. It takes place annually in mid-July, when the weather conditions are most extreme and temperatures over 120 °F (49 °C), even in the shade, are not uncommon. Consequently, very few people—even among ultra marathoners—are capable of finishing this gruelling race.

On July 12th, 2010 David Walker, a North Shore man with many years of endurance sport but only a couple of years of ultramarathon experience has been invited by the Badwater race committee to compete in this years Badwater Ultramarathon. He also intends to use this international event to raise awareness and funds for burn prevention in New Zealand.

He will follow in the footsteps of only 3 other New Zealanders who have attempted and completed this race, Max Telford's trail blazing run in 1982, Kym McConnell's successful run in 2004 and more recently Lisa Tamati's New Zealand record runs in 2008 and 2009.

You will be able to see 'live' updates to the course map that will allow all website visitors to follow his run in real time through satellite tracking.

Have a look at How can you help? to see how you can support him in his endeavour to raise awareness for burn prevention in New Zealand and raise funds for vital equipment for the National Burn Centre at Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. He would love individuals, businesses and schools to support him in this initiative. If you would like to help in any way, please email Dave at dw1@xtra.co.nz.

Thankyou for your interest.

News from Badwater

Race Day updates

by ManOnFire . | Jul 12, 2010
About 10:50pm NZ time Congratulations Dave, his time was 45 hrs 41 minutes 29 seconds. Photos to follow soon. Huge thanks to his support crew Lisa, Barb, Jay and Jon.
 
About 10:45pm NZ time Any minute now.
 
About 10:20pm NZ time
 
1/2 Mile from the Finish!
28 gallons of water
30 gallons of gatorade
A LOT of electrolytes and salt tablets
Several blisters
All sunburnt
4 crew and 1 runner
5 hours sleep total
 
Oh, and one belt buckle.
 
About 9:30pm NZ time Looks like there will be cell coverage at the finish line. We'll post pictures as soon as Dave finishes in not more than an hour.
 
About 9:05pm NZ time Last check point passed, only 7km's to go. Hang tough guys.
 
About 8:50pm NZ time The satellite tracker is having trouble sending positions but they are currently at about the 210km mark. Almost at the last check point.
 
About 8:00pm NZ time Message from the crew. "5 miles in going up Mt. Whitney. It is unbelievably gruelling. The grade definateky taking its toll. 8 more miles to go to the finish."
 
About 5:30pm NZ time Did you catch Dave on the web cam? He's looking in great spirits. That was so cool. It's all uphill for the last 19kms now though.
 
About 4:00pm NZ time Watch the Lone Pine web camera at http://www.badwater.com/2010web/ in about one hour and you may spot Dave and the crew go past.
 
About 3:10pm NZ time Message from the crew. "Dave wanted me to thank everyone here in the States and back home in New Zealand for the support and prayers."
 
About 3:00pm NZ time Message from the crew. "The sun has set behind the mountain range, so we have all our night gear and lighting on. 3 miles outside Lone Pine, then begin the 13 mile, 4000ft climb up Mt. Whitney. Our legs are all tired, but hoping with the sun setting the temps will drop some. Dave is so excited at the possibility of finishing before 48 hours and receiving the famous Badwater Buckle!"
 
About 1:45pm NZ time A video of Dave's start has been posted to YouTube. The casual start by Dave was all part of the plan!
 
About 1:30pm NZ time Only one more marathon to go!
 
About 11:00am NZ time Message from the crew. "101 miles down, but 120'sF so it is still the hottest part of the day. 34 miles to go but the last 11 climb Mt. Whitney. Doing well, but the pavement is burning through the shoes and making the feet really uncomfortable."
 
About 10:00am NZ time Just past the 100 mile mark in 33 hours. 35 more miles to go. Dave's target is under 48 hours to get the Badwater belt buckle.
 
About 07:03am NZ time We have received an update from the crew. "We have passed the 91 mile mark, just passed the Darwin check point. We all had it rough just before Stovepipe Wells yesterday when tempertures soared to the 130's. Dave had to take a break for 15 minutes and I (Jay) suffered from a bit of hyponatremia. As the sun when down, the lights came on. Dave checked into Penepit at 0600AM and took a one hour nap, that greatly improved his focus and physical abilites. He just passed the 91 mile mark and can see Mt. Whitney off in the distance. 44 Miles to go."
 
About 07:00am NZ time Sorry about the lack of tracking the last few hours, looks like it is back on now. 147kms down in 30 hours, 70kms to go.
 
13th July
 
About 11:40pm NZ time Arrived at Panamint Springs which is at 117kms so 100kms to go. Dave has been going for 22hrs 40mins. He has a 1000m climb after leaving here. Judging from other competitors cell phone coverage doesn't come back for another 20kms after here.
 
About 7:20pm NZ time Made it to the top of the first major climb. Downhill now for the next 20kms to Panamint Springs. We are hoping that the crew has cell phone coverage at Panamint so we can update how Dave is going.
 
About 1:05pm NZ time And we are off again.
 
About 12:50pm NZ time Taking a small break at Stovepipe Wells before the next stage which is a 1500m vertical climb over 30kms.
 
About 12:20pm NZ time Arrived at Stovepipe Wells (68kms) after 11 hrs 22 mins.
 
About 9:40am NZ time At 33 miles (53kms) and Dave is doing great. The sweat is really rolling now. It is mid 120'sF out, and the pavement is baking us all.
 
About 9:15am NZ time At 32 miles (51.5 kms). Exhaustingly hot at mid 120'sF. Dave is in great spirits. The crew is sunburnt, hot and taking breaks from running to run to town to jump in the pool, cool off and get some real food.
 
Official photos of Dave's start are here, and here.
 
About 9:00am NZ time 50kms down in 8 hours with an average speed of 6.2 kph. You can see the split times for the entire field here or just Dave here.
 
About 6:00am NZ time Dave is running well. Just passed through Furnace Creek. Quite windy today and thermometer says 120F in the shade, but it is only 10:15.
 
About 4:00am NZ time 11 miles down. Dave is still feeling great. The sun is out, about 112F. Having fun with all the teams.

12th July
It's 4:30am in the desert. The vans are packed, Dave is feeling great, we are all really excited to get going. Heading to the start in Badwater for the 6AM start wave. Jay.

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