Death Valley Ultramarathon: Runners Set Off In 'Toughest Foot Race In World' - Check Pics

During a rainstorm that partially obscured the light of a nearly full moon, 97 runners pushed off in desolate Death Valley with the launch of a 48-hour annual ultramarathon billed as the world’s toughest foot race — the Badwater 135. After starting late Monday night, the men and women ranging in age from 19 to 69 and hailing from 21 countries and 26 U.S. states, are running amid an excessive heat warning.

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Updated on: 24 July 2024 2:16 pm

Badwater Ultramarathon 2024 | Photo: AP/Ty ONeil

A runner passes by a sign warning traffic of the race on Route 66 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, California.

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A runner races with a headlamp | Photo: AP/Ty ONeil

A runner races with a headlamp and a safety vest under a moon light sky during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, Californnia.

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View of California Route 190 | Photo: AP/Ty ONeil

This long exposure image shows the path of runners and their support vehicles under a moon light sky on California Route 190 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, California.

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Badwater annual ultramarathon in Death Valley | Photo: AP/Ty ONeil

A runner and their pacer run as the sun rises behind them on California Route 190 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, California.

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Ivan Penalba Lopez from Spain and his pacer | Photo: AP/Ty ONeil

Ivan Penalba Lopez, left, from Spain, and his pacer run as the sun rises during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, Californnia.

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Chad Wolf from Cincinnati | Photo: AP/Ty ONeil

Chad Wolf from Cincinnati, is sprayed down to deal with the heat on Route 66 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, California.

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Karla Kent stretches during a brief pause | Photo: AP/Ty ONeil

Karla Kent stretches during a brief pause along California Route 190 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, California.

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Runners during the world's toughest foot race in Death Valley | Photo: AP/Ty ONeil

Runners start uphill at sunrise on California Route 190 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, California.

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Death Valley Ultramarathon 2024 | Photo: AP/Ty ONeil

A crew member looks after a runners feet in alongside California Route 190 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, California.

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Runner Caryn Lubetsky | Photo: AP/Ty ONeil

The self proclaimed "Death Valley cheerleaders" cheer and spray water at runner Caryn Lubetsky, from Miami Shores, Florida on California Route 190 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, California.