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.
Thankyou message from Dave
by
ManOnFire . | Jul 18, 2010
I would like to thank everyone who was personally involved in this campaign, from all the company sponsors of product that allowed me to perform at my best to all the donations made to this cause and to all the well wishers along the way. The energy during the event as my crew updated me with new totals and new emails was awesome and certainly made the difference when things got tough.
This is an outstanding event and one that tests both physical fitness, emotional strength and planning and strategy. If anyone is considering a goal like this I thoroughly recommend it.
It has been a privilege to be involved in the campaign with The National Burn Centre in raising awareness for burn prevention in New Zealand. It doesn't stop here, we have set ourselves a great goal and must continue to strive to assist burn victims whereever we can.
If you have any ideas about how you can further assist this cause please dont hesitate to contact me or The Burn Centre.
It's great to be home and to say I'm wrapped with the outcome would be an understatement of large proportions. I never expected to break 48 hours (and 'buckle') by as much as I did!!
I would like to thank my wife Lisa, and the rest of my crew, Jay Riley, Jon Olszyk and Barb Owen who were each absolutely outstanding in their energy and motivation to get me over the finish line.
And lastly I would like to thank Gary Nicholson of Imapping Ltd for his huge effort on website updating. I am reliably informed by many of you who followed our 'satellite' updates that it was exciting and kept you involved in the process like never before.
A truely amazing experience.
Thanks all.
Dave