146 MILES. 120° HEAT. WORLD RECORD.

Fair question. I held this record in 2012 - that's documented and verifiable. It's even on Wikipedia and the official Badwater race record pages. 

In 2012, I broke the record that stood for 13 years.  4 days later, my record fell by another runner on his 3rd attempt. Ever since, I've craved to go back and take the back. 

I was asked the other day by a sponsor, "Why will prevent you from running this race?" I responded, "Only a catastrophic injury." This is the same attitude when I ran 3,000 miles across America. 

I've already been training since late 2025 to get ready. I'm currently training at 8,500 - 12,000' feet elevation because the finish line in Death Valley is at 14,505' elevation. 

The run is scheduled for August 4, 2026, and I'll be sharing regular training updates with all sponsors. My year is dedicated to preparing, training, and breaking the "impossible" sub-48 hour record.

Absolutely! The 5 people who have finished the race are:

 
1998 - Marshall Ulrich: 77 hours : 46 minutes - Set the original record. 
2011 - Lisa Bliss: 89 hours: 38 minutes - First woman to finish the course. 

2012 - Croix Sather: 72 hours : 55 minutes - Broke the record after standing 13 years.
2012 -  Bogdan "Bogie" Dumitrescu : 57 hours : 18 minutes - three crossings (93:40 / 58:57).
2016, Dusty Hardman: 80 hours : 57 minutes - The second woman to complete the course and set a new woman's record. 

While there have been many attempts, these are the only 5 people to complete the Badwater 146 mile solo-self-contained crossing pushing a cart without the assistance of a team, or any other type.

After my failed attempt ending at mile 45, on Aug 21, 2012, I went back three days later, and this time broke the 13-year standing record. When Bogie Dumitrescu heard about my return to Death Valley just 3 days later, he decided to come back and try it again after his failed attempt a few weeks earlier. As I was coming off the mountain, Bogie was heading to the start line the next day. 

I held the record for 4 days before Bogie broke the record. 

Ever since, this has been calling me. Knowing that the record stood for just 4 days and then I lost it. I was training for it in 2019 right before the world shut-down. So I am returning to Death Valley to take back the record. And break the impossible time of sub 48 hours. 

At 55, I will be the oldest person to ever complete a solo-self-contained Death Valley crossing.

When I started training in December 2025, I honestly wondered if this was still possible at my age. But after just the first 5 weeks of high-altitude training, I'm continuously impressed with how my body is adapting and getting stronger.

Before I get to the start line, I will be in better shape than I was at 40 when I ran across America or 41 when I broke the record in Death Valley.

Here's what's different this time:

This time I am smarter and wiser because of the experience. My training now is way better, so that I will be stronger this time. I'm currently living at high altitude and training as high as 12,100 feet elevation.

I am focused on core and functional body strength as much as running/cardio because I will be pushing a 200+ pound cart up the mountains in Death Valley. I am cross-training in the pool, sauna and gym. My recovery and nutrition protocols are getting dialed in. 

At 41, I was cavalier and naive (aka arrogant). 
At 55, I'm humble, hungry, and determined.

Age brings some limitations (frankly, I haven't noticed too much) - but it also brings wisdom and perspective. I understand the real demands of something this extreme. I know how to push my limits without breaking.

Losing the record after just 4 days has haunted me all these years. I am going back and finish this story, get my record back, and rewrite the end of the story.

And honestly? Doing this at 55 makes a better story than doing it at 40-something. when breaking records is "expected." But breaking records when everyone thinks you're past your prime? 

That's a story worth telling.

For the solo-self-contained Death Valley crossing to be official, it has to happen in July or August when the daily high temperatures are 110 degrees F or higher. 

Official Rules page HERE

The race is a TIMED RACE. As compared to a "mass start" like you see at a normal marathon. This means the racer (me) is going for the FKT - fastest known time. So I have the choice of what day and time that I want to start. But the rules say that the start time must between 6am -11:59am, but can be any day in July or August. 

The tentative date August 4-6. The reason I say tentative, is because it is weather dependent. If there is an abnormal rain, or record-setting temps, the start time may be delayed. Like any race. 

The scheduled date is flexible, as long as the crossing is completed before midnight on August 31. This means that is something goes wrong, and I do not beat the record on the first attempt, I have the month of August to recoup, return and try again. 

It depends on the sponsorship level. The higher tiers with 1:1 calls, personal access or brand partnerships are very limited because these require a lot of personal and dedicated time. Once spots are filled, they're closed. 

Businesses have different needs and desires, so it is best that you and I talk so that the sponsorship supports your business and also makes the world record run possible. This includes product placements, logos, keynote speeches, team building, etc. Starting at the $1,000 tier, you can get product placement in video content. At $2,500+, we can discuss more extensive brand integration. 

There are also TITLE SPONSORSHIPS that start at $25,000. Contact me for custom corporate sponsorship packages.

One of the benefits of sponsoring the run is that I am a professional keynote event speaker and performance coach. Packages can include event speaking or training programs for your business. 

CONTACT ME HERE

For sponsorships $500 and above, payment plans are possible. Just reach out and we'll figure something out that works for both of us. Here is the link to contact me. 

Yes, absolutely. Just contact me and I'll apply your original sponsorship amount toward the upgrade. You'll get all the benefits of the new tier immediately. But because of the nature of sponsorship, it is not possible to downgrade your tier or receive a refund. 

We might meet at an event or a book event (if you attend). But they are usually very busy so that only allows for a brief greeting. But you can guarantee time with me depending on your tier. See options above. 

$2,500+ sponsors get dinners/meetings/run with me, when I'm in your city. You also get the possibility of being part of the crew in Death Valley. And higher tiers will have more options to collaborate with me. Lower tiers are primarily virtual access. 

Your sponsorship supports the entire journey - the training, the attempt, the story - not just a successful finish. Win or lose, you're part of the documentary, the book, and the comeback story. That said, I'm training like a beast to make sure I cross that finish line and reclaim the record. Believe me, I want this record so bad, I can already see it happening. 

Also keep in mind that this race is not a speed race in the traditional sense because I a pushing the cart up a mountain. So significant portions of the race is walking. So only a catastrophic injury will keep me from the start line. And if for some reason, I do not break the record, the documentary, book and publicity will all still happen. Not even Rocky Balboa won all of his fights. And they still made blockbuster stories. 

The book is targeted for December 2026. The documentary timeline depends on production, but expect 2027. All sponsors will get early access to both before public release. For those sponsors that will be a part of the documentary, you will be contacted way in advance to sort out the details. 

I appreciate that. I have sponsored people in the past simply because I was into the story. You can send any amount via Venmo (link on the page) or any sponsor level. I will include you in the perks or not, just send me a note so we can talk. The perks are there because I want to give you something meaningful for supporting this journey. 

Yes. If they are aligned with the journey and goals. In kind donations I am looking for is an RV for the travel, the race home base, and publicity tour. Hotel/airbnb stays. Nutrition and supplies. Cart builder. Running shoes. Etc. Please contact me to discuss these options. Contact me here.

Your sponsorship directly funds the entire comeback attempt and everything around it. Here's some examples:

Training & Preparation:

• High-altitude training in Colombia and Death Valley.
• Proper nutrition and supplements for extreme endurance training.
• Quality running gear (shoes wear out fast at high mileage — I'll go through 6+ pairs before the attempt).
• Cross-training facilities (pool, gym, sauna access).
• Recovery tools and protocols.

The Actual Attempt:

• Travel to Death Valley.
• Specialized cart and equipment for the crossing.
• Park entry permits.
• Hydration and nutrition supplies for 146 miles.
• GPS to verify the run. 
• Support logistics.

Documentation & Production:

• Video and documenting training and the run.
• Professional documentary crew for key moments.
• Video editing and production. 
• Website and content hosting.
• Behind-the-scenes content creation for sponsors

Sponsor Benefits:

As a sponsor, you get to be part of making this run possible. You'll receive exclusive behind-the-scenes access, recognition in the book and documentary, and tier-specific benefits ranging from group calls to 1:1 coaching access to being featured in the documentary itself.

For corporate sponsors: Your brand gets attached to a remarkable comeback story with visibility across all content, media appearances, and the documentary.

Bottom line: Every dollar goes toward making this attempt happen and documenting it properly so it can inspire people for years to come.