March 2, 2026
‘Badwater Salton Sea’ Ultramarathon Run
Share
The BADWATER® Salton Sea ultra running event returns Saturday–Sunday, April 18–19, 2026, with a listed start time of 6:30 AM and a Borrego Springs audience-friendly stop point at Borrego Springs Resort.
This is a team race for duos or trios who run together for the full course (it’s not a relay). The route spans 81 miles (130 km) from Salton City—about 234 feet (71 m) below sea level—to Palomar Mountain at roughly 5,500 feet (1,676 m), with over 9,000 feet (2,740 m) of total climbing.
For locals and visitors watching in the Borrego area: about eight miles of the course cut through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, using a single-track section between near Borrego Springs and near Ranchita, making the overall route a mix of road and trail.
Organizers note this is the 13th edition, capped at 100 runners.
If you’re in Borrego Springs, this is one of those rare mornings when you can watch a world-class endurance event pass through the desert landscape you already know—then climb all the way to the cool air of Palomar. Expect a moving pack of two- and three-person teams running side-by-side, plus support vehicles and race staff along the road portions.
For updates, photos, and official race info, follow BADWATER® on Facebook and Instagram, or check the organizer’s event page.
Learn More About Borrego Springs
























