Badwater ultra is today even though it is not in Badwater

Tire-flipping 101 wrote:

Flip tires, get ripped, get ladies. End of thread.

Ok in what part of the country does flipping tires = get ladies?

Anywhere, brah.

Xfit_guy_the_real_1 wrote:

It's funny how runners get satisfaction by a belt buckle (ultras) or "participant" medals (5k Marathons). All that silverware is not going to outshine your SCRAWNY frame.

I'm not scrawny, I'm skinny fat!

Xfit_guy_the_real_1 wrote:

It's funny how runners get satisfaction by a belt buckle (ultras) or "participant" medals (5k Marathons). All that silverware is not going to outshine your SCRAWNY frame.

Says the uninspiring overweight jock wife beater....

To each his own, we all get to choose how we live and what gives us satisfaction. Don't tread on me.

The organizers for this race need to learn a lesson from Western States.

Western States had a ton of excitement. Why? Frequent and accurate up to date live updates!

The updates for this race are too infrequent.

It looks like a woman has a chance to get the overall this year. This race peaked a couple of years ago and is just going downhill.

It's going to be difficult at first because of the route change. The alternate BW course is wedged between mountain peaks without repeaters or cellular access so reports will be sparse. Also compelling is the start down a 10,000 foot peak!

Quite a change from a flat hot desert (where at night they'd be beginning the climb); so the race becomes more of a challenge because of the pounding the feet have to endure on seven up and down peaks including the Whitney portal. (http://www.badwater.com/route/index.html). Also there is a the great psychological challenge that most of the competitors at this stage of the race will be racing back towards the East towards the original starting point (Badwater) in the night (I bet the desert will be gorgeous at night), but there is the consolation of having an out and back at night to know where your competitors are --- a good thing. In other words no man/woman gets stranded so heading back towards Lone Pine by early morning everybody should be single file towards the finish. Not an easy feat, pardon the pun. Nonetheless, it should be interesting to see how it all goes. Lets give kudos to the two black male competitors (one a firefighter) are in the race (bib numbers 19 & 52).

Good luck to all the crews and competitors.

Why exactly are you giving special props to the two black runners? WTF is wrong with you?

Looks like Harvey Lewis and Grant Maughan are in a dead heat at the 75 mile split, both came in at 12:26.

I thought, as a rule, all organized competive events are banned in National Parks and Wilderness areas?

Well no. This 2014 edition runs through the Golden Trout Wilderness and John Muir Wilderness areas.

Update from what I've seen as of 5am (pst).

I'm shocked at the number of DNF's so far at it's only 5am yet not surprised considering the 17,000' cumulative ascent, this route is treacherous. Wouldn't mind doing it on a bike. The down striding on the pavement/dirt/sand is obviously taking a toll on the competitors. 2011 Winner, and one of my favorites Oswaldo Lopez, is DNF? I have a feeling from looking at the map and the elevation stats this is definitely a departure from the traditional Badwater route.

Those that trained in the hills will benefit those that didn't are going to pay the price. I'm not sure if the record goes it should be disputed as a result of the course change...nonetheless I'm sure Adventure Corps will sort it all out. I think this route is a survivors race between crew and competitor. Survive to finish!

17k of climbing is not a lot over the course of 135 miles. This year they do not have to deal with the extreme heat that the runners usually have to run in.

It is a different race and should have a different name. This is not Badwater.

Dean Karnezes got caught cheating last year. Several runners saw him do it but the RD crushed their complaints.

What did he do? Cut the course? Take a van to the finish?

What's better, a fast 10K or a slow badwater? Some of those folks are pokey slow!

So some clown from Ohio I've never heard of won in just under 24 hours. Not surprisingly, he's a lazy teacher that has the whole summer off to do these kind of circus charades.

watching from the mountain wrote:

Dean Karnezes got caught cheating last year. Several runners saw him do it but the RD crushed their complaints.

Well how good would it be if Deano, arguably the face of Badwater and the reason it is so well known, was disqualified for cheating. It would be a huge hit to his reputation and the race's reputation. If you've never spent any time around the RD, you will know that if you speak any ill or unkind words about his race that you are basically ostracized. You better 100% kiss his butt. Thanks to Dean and his book, the RD has been able to raise the entry fees of Badwater to huge levels, allow more people in and start an entire "series" of Badwater races. The guy loves the attention of the race and the media and has used it to his financial gain.

I know the guy who saw (along with his crew) Deano cheat last year and lets just say that Deano unleashed his wrath on him, to the point of removing it from his blog. Think he'll ever get into Badwater again? Given that the RD is the "race committee" and Dean is a huge name, I'm going to say hell no.

A few years back, a guy who has done both Badwater and finished Barkley said there was no question that Barkley was much, much tougher and caught flack by a lot of the BW vets and fans for saying it.

Is the RD known to be vindictive, excluding those with whom he may have had a disagreement?

Snoreville, its funny you call Harvey a clown from Ohio with knowing nothing about the guy. I personally am a friend of Harvey and have seen his training leading up to this. What you don’t know about Harvey is thru out this whole year he has gotten to work every day without the use of a car and or any other motor vehicle! Example, the guy took a kayak down the ohio one morning to get to work... I have seen him on runs in the morning getting to work.... He ran from his house to the airport to get on a plane to Portugal.... Do I need to give you any more examples?? And I hope a teacher gets on this board and sees you calling teachers lazy because I think they would have a different view point! Hate on Harvey all you want but you have not a single clue on his training for this race and frankly he just did something you will only dream of!

Well don’t Harvey!! Cincinnati is proud of you!