In an extraordinary display of endurance and determination, a 72-year-old athlete has made history by becoming the oldest person ever to complete the infamous Badwater 135 ultramarathon. The punishing race, often dubbed "the world's toughest foot race," stretches 135 miles (217km) through California's scorching Death Valley and up the steep inclines of Mount Whitney.
A Test of Human Limits
Participants face extreme conditions during the July event, with temperatures frequently exceeding 49°C (120°F) on the blacktop roads of Death Valley. The route includes three mountain ranges with a cumulative elevation gain of 14,600 feet (4,450m), pushing runners to their absolute physical and mental limits.
Defying Age Expectations
The septuagenarian runner completed the course in an impressive time of 41 hours and 32 minutes, proving that age is no barrier to extraordinary athletic achievement. Medical teams monitoring the event reported the athlete maintained remarkable vital signs throughout the gruelling challenge.
The Badwater Legacy
First held in 1987, the Badwater 135 has developed a reputation as the ultimate test of human endurance. The race begins at Badwater Basin in Death Valley, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet (86m) below sea level, and finishes at Whitney Portal, the trailhead to the highest peak in the contiguous United States.
This year's event saw participants from 23 countries, with the oldest finisher's achievement standing as a testament to the power of perseverance and rigorous training. Race organisers noted the inspirational effect this performance will have on athletes of all ages.
