On June 30, 2013, the last day of the "Plum Rain Season" in the Jiangnan region, amid temperatures as high as 35 degrees Celsius and 55% humidity, Vibram Minimalist Pioneer Polar Runner Wu Shaogang ran continuously for 10 hours and 31 minutes, covering 83 kilometers on Shanghai’s hottest streets, as part of his warm-up for the Badwater Ultramarathon in California, USA. Over 100 accompanying runners joined him on this challenging journey, marking the countdown to the Polar Runners’ Four Major Ultramarathons — the Badwater Ultramarathon.
The Polar Runners’ Badwater warm-up event was held in Shanghai’s hot and humid weather to enhance heat endurance training and also to conduct an on-site drill for Badwater’s logistics. The Badwater Ultramarathon is known for its extreme heat, harsh climate, and self-supported supply teams. Competitors face the challenge of non-stop endurance running in the hottest month of July, with midday temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius.
At 6:00 AM on June 30, the Polar Runners and numerous accompanying runners set off from the China Pavilion at Expo Park in Pudong New Area, proceeding along Expo Avenue before turning back at the Oriental Sports Center. The 10-kilometer out-and-back route featured clear landmarks and minimal traffic. Many running enthusiasts came to join as pacers after seeing the event advertised on social media and forums. Three runners paced over 60 kilometers, while the majority completed 20–30 kilometers.
Notably, enthusiastic members of the Shanghai Barefoot Runners Club carefully prepared drinks, watermelons, and ice for the Badwater warm-up event, setting up a hydration station at the 5-kilometer turnaround point after the 50-kilometer mark to help the Polar Runners and pacers cool down.
"Heat" is the biggest challenge of the Badwater Ultramarathon. The Polar Runners wore New Balance Minimus minimalist running shoes made with Vibram’s high-performance soles. These shoes have a 4-millimeter heel-to-toe drop and feature a soft yet durable REVlite ultra-lightweight midsole material. The Vibram T-Lite outsole not only enhances shock absorption and durability but also provides excellent rebound at key pressure points, enabling the feet to maximize their natural propulsion — making them ideal for road running. The Polar Runners planned to rotate multiple pairs of shoes, and the support team organized with Vibram’s help will assist them in completing the challenge.
Runner Wang Yong commented that this was a highly meaningful event. Participating not only presented personal challenges but also offered insights into the details of the Badwater Ultramarathon. More importantly, this runner-supporting-runner event united more ultramarathon enthusiasts, embodying the spirit of mutual assistance beyond just running.
It is reported that the Polar Runners will travel to Las Vegas on July 9 for final acclimatization training, before participating in the Badwater Ultramarathon from July 14 to 15.
About the Badwater Ultramarathon in Death Valley, USA
The Badwater Ultramarathon is organized by AdventureCORPS and held annually in mid-July. It is considered one of the toughest ultramarathons in the world. The course spans the lowest and highest points on the North American continent, starting at a salt flat approximately 85 meters below sea level and finishing at the Whitney Portal, which stands at 2,548 meters above sea level. The starting point is located in Death Valley, the lowest elevation in the Western Hemisphere at 85 meters below sea level. Runners must ascend three mountain ranges to reach the summit of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States, at about 2,530 meters above sea level. The total vertical climb is 3,962 meters, with a descent of 1,433 meters.
The original distance of the Badwater Ultramarathon was 235 kilometers, but several years ago, the U.S. Forest Service required permits to climb Mount Whitney, leading to the current 217-kilometer course. The cutoff time is 48 hours. Additionally, ground temperatures in July can reach 50 degrees Celsius, dropping to minus one degree at higher altitudes. The extreme temperature variations and risk of altitude sickness further increase the difficulty. Each participant is allowed to have support crew and vehicles to provide supplies as needed.
The qualification criteria for the Badwater Ultramarathon are very strict: participants must have previously completed the Badwater Ultramarathon (unofficial individual runs do not count unless completed before 1990), and must have finished another recognized ultramarathon within the past year. They are required to have completed at least three official non-stop races of 100 miles (approximately 160 kilometers) or more, with one of those completed within the past year. Alternatively, runners who have completed the 135-mile Brazilian race within 48 hours and another recognized ultramarathon in the past year may also qualify.