Hi everyone,
Jeff Pelletier’s Badwater 135 film was live on YouTube. He put a ton of effort into this video and I’m very excited to share this.
135 miles through Death Valley. The hottest place on Earth, at the hottest time of year. I joined Jeff’s crew, paced him through some of the hardest miles I’ve ever witnessed, and we documented the whole thing from start to finish.
No aid stations. No drop bags. Just a small team keeping one runner moving forward through 120°F+ heat.
[WATCH THE FULL FILM ON YOUTUBE]
A few things you’ll learn from this film:
- What it actually takes to crew Badwater and why it was much harder than I expected.
- How science, data, and meticulous planning stack up against the unpredictable reality of extreme heat and fatigue
- How to push through low points when everything tells you to stop and the mental resets that keep you moving after 30+ hours with no sleep
- Why the final miles often bring an unexpected surge after grinding through the hardest parts
The film captures the heart of this race perfectly. As Jeff puts it, some things can’t be measured.
[WATCH THE FULL FILM ON YOUTUBE]
If you watch it, hit reply and tell me what moment stuck with you most.
Cheers,
Floris Gierman
The way you captured the heat of Badwater is impressive. Did you face any challenges while filming in those conditions?