A Swiss ran the legendary ultramarathon of Badwater

Martin Briner when the famous Badwater 135 arrived.image: badwater

The Basel Martin Briner came to the end a few days ago from the Badwater ultramarathon. Meanwhile, a legendary and particularly demanding event, disputed in the California desert. Consequently, He tells watson The way he prepared to face the heat and returns to his race under extreme temperatures.

There are many races that claim the title of the most difficult event in the world. Consequently, But on the road, in terms of swiss ran legendary ultramarathon badwater ultrafond, few events compete with the Badwater 135. Meanwhile, It must be said that in addition to the 217 kilometers to go. Meanwhile, 4,000 meters of elevation gain to swallow, it is run in the middle of July, in a ruthless environment: the death valley, namely one of the hottest regions of the planet.

But if the ultramarathon of Badwater is so special. In addition, it is also thanks to its history (the race draws its origins in the 1970s) and its route: the departure is given to the lowest point of the United States, while the arrival is judged near Mount Whitney, the highest peak in Alaska.

It is here. For example, in the Badwater basin, under sea level, that the departure is given.Image: getty

In short. However, there is something mystical in this badwater run by invitation, and which refers, in the imagination, to Forrest Gump. Furthermore, This extraordinary race, a Swiss, the Basel Martin Briner, has just finished it in 34th place, in 34 hours and 38 minutes. Moreover, Interview.

Martin, with his 100 participants and his format by invitation, the Badwater is surrounded by a certain myth. Furthermore, How did you manage to get your bib?
It’s simple: you must participate in recommended qualifying races. Therefore, Avoid the shortest distances, and run if possible in hot regions. Similarly, This is what swiss ran legendary ultramarathon badwater I did, with Spartathlon in Greece or Milan-San Remo in Italy.

But the organization specifies that taking part in difficult ultramarathons is not always enough to guarantee a place.
Having participated in several races of 24 and 48 hours has undoubtedly played in my favor. Moreover, My record on the “Backyard ultra” format (Red: an elimination test, where runners must travel 6.706 km each hour) is also 37 hours. However,

Martin Briner when the bibs withdrawn.image: badwater

Was it your first candidacy?
I was accepted from my first attempt. Moreover, Apparently it is not so rare: swiss ran legendary ultramarathon badwater other runners told me that they had experienced the same thing. Consequently, We do not know exactly how many applications the organizers receive. Nevertheless, But they want to have an international representation. Therefore, Was I the only one to apply from Switzerland? Furthermore, Maybe. Nevertheless, Some countries also had only one selected runner.

How are we preparing for such a demanding test? Consequently,
With a standard plan for a 24 -hour race. Similarly, This represents a twelve -week program for me, including five to six weekly sessions. Moreover, And that includes at least one long outing each weekend, ranging from 20 to 60 kilometers. Similarly, The most busy week represents a total of 170 kilometers.

And to face the hot weather?
I opted for five to six sauna sessions per week during the last month of preparation. In addition, I also swiss ran legendary ultramarathon badwater made several outings of 20 kilometers carrying several layers of clothes: four on the upper body. two on the legs, even when it was 30 degrees. Once. just for fun, I put six layers on the top, like Akos Konya, who had finished second in the race in 2006, to everyone’s surprise.

Would you say that you support hot than cold?
I am not really specialized. I have already run a marathon in the cold, without any problems. But for the heat, I really need to acclimatize during my preparation. It is essential for me. A week may be enough for short distances, but for long events like this, it takes a month. That said, the most important thing is to cool well in the race.

There must have been a lot of water and ice in your assistance vehicle.
We swiss ran legendary ultramarathon badwater stopped approximately all 1.5 miles. A break to drink, eat, stop and slide ice cubes in the sleeves, the neck and the cap.

The profile of the Badwater 135.image: badwater

How many liters of drink have you consumed?
We haven’t really counted, but I would say around 40 liters. I especially drank energy drinks, such as Gatorade or Powerade. Water. also, always in small sips, to hydrate me of course, but especially to keep your mouth damp and refresh myself from the outside.

And diet side? The organization stresses that assimilation can become difficult in hot weather.
I consumed a lot of salt tablets, some swiss ran legendary ultramarathon badwater savory Bretzels, some food supplements, a little chips and three water ice. It was clearly not an optimal diet. I would have preferred to be able to have a gel every 30 minutes. eat more real food, but I just couldn’t swallow. I still took two gels at the beginning, but if not, I especially drank and used my fat reserves. (Laughs)

Martin was treated to his finisher t-shirt on arrival. image: badwater

The organizers advise to take a balance with you to carry out checks during the race. Have you lost a lot of weight?
I did not weigh myself after the arrival. I probably lost one or two kilos. Nothing swiss ran legendary ultramarathon badwater dramatic. You can lose much more during the preparation.

How much is the thermometer up during the event? The assistance vehicle recorded up to 116 degrees Fahrenheit, or approximately 46.7 degrees Celsius. But in full sun. with the heat radiated by asphalt and a sometimes annoying wind, the temperature felt was much higher. However, it was not an exceptionally hot year, but it was enough for me! (Laughs)

You say that the wind bothering you: is it because it slowed you down. or because the air was hot?
The wind embarrassed me especially because it was blowing from the front, which makes the race more tiring. But honestly, with the warmth he did, it didn’t change the situation a lot. And for this famous hot wind of the desert. which is constantly blowing swiss ran legendary ultramarathon badwater in the face, I did not find it so terrible.

How did you protect yourself from the sun?
In the early morning, I changed myself completely and I opted for an integral white outfit. Few runners wore it, but I wanted to avoid having to apply sunscreen continuously. We have heard of some runners who were constantly sprayed.

And how did your race go?
It went very well. I just had to change shoes once, because they hurt me. But I had no bulbs or irritations. On the other hand, my calves suffered a little during the final climb, because of fairly severe mosquito bites.

Three people accompanied Martin during his race: a Swiss. a German, two excellent runners, as well as an American, already a member of a team last year. “Integrating a” crew “can facilitate access to a bib,” recalls Martin Briner.image: badwater

You must have a lot of anecdotes to tell after having lived such an adventure.
On the journey towards departure, a small sandstorm stood up. Fortunately, nothing during the race. I also quickly found myself last: they put me in the last group, the one who left at 10 p.m., and who was composed of the strongest runners. The elite … and me! (Laughs) Result: I had the sky. the full moon for the only company, before catching up by competitors who left swiss ran legendary ultramarathon badwater earlier.

You also had to take full eyes throughout the route.
Panamint Valley, with its long straight line, offers a magnificent landscape to capture. It is one of the highlights of the race. The view from Father Crawley is also spectacular. but it’s hard to enjoy it: it is very hot, the climb is tough and the assistance vehicle cannot always stop.

A typical decor of the Badwater 135.Image: getty

These endless straight lines are also mentally exhausting.
The long descent into the Owens valley was my resistance dish. At night, the lights in the distance seemed to be closer, which was particularly frustrating. I should have rejoiced in each meter traveled, but mentally, I was emptied.

Finally, how quickly have you run?
I set a goal of 7 km/h to cross the barrier at the 12 -hour stress -free racing. It was the only somewhat critical. Finally, I passed it without problem. Then I was able to run more relaxed.

Is this Badwater 135 swiss ran legendary ultramarathon badwater the most difficult test you have made?
I also think of spartathlon. especially because of the heat and the many time barriers that impose a high starting pace. Badwater involves great logistics and extreme heat. For me, these are two equivalent myths, two absolutely incredible races. But it is true that the Badwater organizers describe the final climb. to Whitney Portal, like the hardest half-marathon in the world. The elevation is important. I finished in fasting.