Max Jolliffe Breaks 21-Hour Barrier at Badwater 135 Ultramarathon

The 2026 Badwater 135 ultramarathon took place from July 27‑29, covering 217 km from Badwater Basin in Death Valley (85 m below sea level) to Whitney Portal (≈2,530 m above sea level). The race featured a cumulative ascent of about 14,600 ft and a shortened time limit of 45 hours.

American runner Max Jolliffe became the first competitor to finish in under 21 hours, crossing the line in 20 h 53 min 41 s and setting a new male record. Spanish athlete Carmen Maria Perez finished second overall and set a women’s course record with a time of 21 h 5 min 32 s. Las Vegas runners Edher Ruben Ramirez completed his debut Badwater in 25 h 45 min, while 63‑year‑old Karla Kent, a Bellagio dealer, recorded her 14th finish in 43 h 10 min.

The event highlighted the extreme desert heat, altitude changes, and the athletes’ endurance, with only four men finishing ahead of the new records.