THE APPLICATION to Badwater 135

This website has been something of a journal; an account of why I want to race the monster that is Badwater 135. I’ve shared insights into my training. I’ve talked about the races I’ve done – as both a means to prepare, and also as qualifiers. And now, the application is submitted. I will find out my fate in February. I will either race Badwater 135 in July, or I will apply again in 2027.

I’ve realised that so much about Badwater is a much broader process than just the race; it demands a mindset, embracing a way of thinking, living and training. The “application” is a concise, distilled digital form, but I have grown to understand that the substance behind this process is actually the application of oneself - to adopt and personify the spirit of the “Badwater way”.

The submission of the form itself was something of a process too; it triggered some real soul searching. For me, and perhaps many others, there is something that feels easier to just “move forward’”. This application required me to “look back” - far more than I am perhaps comfortable with. The questions are simple, and profoundly searching, in equal measure - requiring some real introspection about “who I am”. The questions don’t ask that outright - but do force you to be authentic and true in your answers.

“In 50 words or less, why do you want to compete in - or return to - the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon?” 50 words to sum up your why? Or perhaps harder still: “In 25 words or less, tell us the qualities of a good sportsperson. (And does this describe YOU?)”.

Badwater 135 Application, the questions change each year.

How do you stand out from the other applicants when there are so few words to articulate “you”? ….. and so, some real reflection was needed in attempts for eloquent clarity.

I consider myself fairly ordinary; normal and “just Ben”. Others look on and perhaps regard my athletic endeavours as a little unhinged. I’ve been thinking about and training for Badwater 135 for years now - but how do I compress that desire and deservedness into such a short word count. If you know me – then you will know; but if you don’t, then I am something of a nobody. Another challenge is that I’m not particularly fond of shouting about what I do, and prefer to “do” rather than to “tell”.

“I Don’t Do Social media, I believe in real community, real people, real conversations and above all real experiences. I’d rather run next to someone and hear their story, than scroll past a filtered version.”

So here we are, who the hell am I?

I think I first grappled with the concept of “identity” three decades ago. I was a rower - yes I did other things too, but really that framed me. I raced, I trained, I was part of a crew - there was so much about that existence at the time that defined me. It formed my habits, it commanded my attention, it guided many decisions. But then – with two herniated discs in my lower back - rowing came to a rather abrupt end and stopped me in my tracks.

Oxford University Boat Club

Winning the Boat Race in 2002, the first time in 50 years a crew had rowed around the outside of the final bend to win. Me, OUBC President, 3rd rower from the left.

You can’t be a rower if you can’t row.  So - I was no longer a rower.  

I think this played a bigger role than I imagined. For years I didn’t really “do much”. Of course I worked and carried on, I even ran a couple of (slow) marathons - but I was grasping on to the mindset and identity of “Ben the rower”. And, as that identity faded, a void was emerging.

At some stage I made a totally uninformed leap from struggling through a marathon to entering into a 100km. It’s hard to imagine the outright stupidity of my training, or lack of, back then. I woke with a hangover, ate a McDonald’s breakfast and set about completing my first 100km - deary me. Suffice to say it was a hideous experience on many levels. Except one - I completed it. And that was an aspect of “Ben the rower” - a spirit of something inside that wouldn’t surrender. I needed more.

Marathon des Sables

James and I in the Sahara somewhere.

We were at school together, we cycled John O’Groats to Land’s End when we were 16 and here we are taking on another massive challenge.

Time passed, years in fact. At some point in that journey I stumbled across Badwater 135, I think in Dean Karnazes’ book. The seed was sown, but it was way down in the depths of my soul.

I am Ben, just Ben.
The rower, turned runner.

Fast forward a decade and here we are.  To say I have changed is an understatement, in fact I hardly recognise myself.  Ben, “Just Ben”.  The rower.  The former rower.  Who’s now a runner.  And who has built, and trained; been humbled and trained harder and smarter – but who still has a quiet, belligerent determination never to surrender.  To keep showing up, to keep improving, refining and striving.  

Lactate and VO2 Testing

Blood being drawn from my ear during testing session.

That’s now the bedrock of my “identity” - and it’s really crystallising.  An evolution, drawing upon many of the attributes that helped me compete at the highest level in rowing, now repurposed into ultra running. The perfect channel for my ability to suffer, to withstand pain, to commit to training, to sacrifice, to learn, to be consistent and to race.

That “Ben” has applied himself, in every way humanly possible, to enter Badwater 135 - the pinnacle of physical and mental challenge.

The only question remaining for ME now - can I become a Badwater 135 runner?

NOVE COLLI 2025

I crossed the line in 2024, I was elated, but I humbly accepted I was not ready for Badwater 135.

In 2025 I returned, I raced, this time I knew - I was ready.

This is the finish line in 2025, after 199km of running you are greeted by a final km of sandy beach to run along - joy.