Norwegian Simen Holvik returned to the top step of the Badwater 135 podium after claiming overall victory in Death Valley, California, USA, with Marisa Lizak taking the honours in the women’s race.
The 135-mile challenge, described as the “world’s toughest foot race”, takes place in one of the harshest environments imaginable, with searing temperatures hitting the desert valley every July.
Starting in the Badwater Basin – at 85m the lowest elevation point in North America – the ultramarathon takes competitors through three mountain ranges for a total elevation gain of 4450m – it temperatures upwards of 40 degree Celsius.
On Tuesday, midway through the race, temperatures in the area rose to 117 degrees Fahrenheit, or 47 degrees Celsius.
More people have summitted Mount Everest than have finished Badwater, showcasing the gruelling nature of the race.
Men’s race – Holvik returns to the top
Holvik, winner of the men’s race in 2023 before an untimely DNF in 2024, regained his crown by producing an almost wire-to-wire victory ahead of perennial Badwater 135 runner-up Iván Penalba Lopez of Alfafar.
The pair trailled Japan’s Takeshi Sakuraba by three minutes at the first checkpoint, but Holvik soon took command leading from checkpoint two until the end of the race. He opened a half an hour gap to his Spanish rival, taking the tape in 21:47:45.
Penalba Lopez did gain some ground in the final stages, closing to within 20 minutes as he crossed the finish line. The Spaniard has now earned runners-up honours in the men’s race on three occasions – in 2022, 2024 and now in 2025.
American Pete Kostelnick rounded out the podium just short of 55 minutes behind the eventual victor Holvik. The 37-year-old sat fourth the first half of the race before bypassing compatriot Adam Kimble following the 90-mile checkpoint – Kimble finishing fourth with Sumny Milan of Czechia securing the final top five berth.
Women’s race
Lizak was a class above in the women’s race, dominating the second half of the race to set a time of 25:07:31 – over an hour quicker than her nearest rival.
The American was chasing Poland’s Edyta Lewandowski until the 58-mile checkpoint before the latter dropped out of the race.
The 37-year-old’s nearest rival was now Megan Eckert over an hour back, meaning Lizak had plenty of time in hand to take the victory in comfortable fashion. Eckert was second over the line in a time of 26:24:17.
Great Britain’s Ali Young was the third women to cross the finish line a further two and a half hours back in a time of 28:56:12.
2025 Badwater 135 results
Monday July 7-Wednesday July 9, 135 miles
MEN
Simen Holvik (NOR) – 21:47:45
Iván Penalba Lopez of Alfafar (ESP) – 22:07:16
Pete Kostelnick (USA) – 22:42:42
WOMEN
Marisa Lizak (USA) – 25:07:31
Megan Eckert (USA) -26:24:17
Ali Young (GBR) – 28:56:19
