THE KING OF MOAB CLAIMS A NEW CROWN IN BADWATER. MAX JOLLIFFE, THE NEW KING OF DEATH VALLEY.
(BPNsupps. 2026)
THE BADMAN OF BADWATER 135
Badwater 135 “globally recognised as the world’s toughest footrace”, traverses 135 miles/217km from the Death Valley start line to the tip of Mt. Whitney finish line. Before we get into Max’s story, you need to deep why the race is known as the most extreme running race on the planet. The start line in Death Valley is the lowest point of elevation in North America (85m below sea level) and the finish at Whitney Portal is the highest (2530m above sea level), whilst covering three mountain ranges throughout, with 4450m of cumulative vertical ascent and 1859m of descent. With temperatures often rising past 50°C, this race ain’t for the feint-hearted, it’s for the cold-blooded. Tell em to lock in.
Call Max Jolliffe the King of Death Valley the way bro laced up like a Shinigami with one name written in his Death Note - Badwater. The Beach Kid swapped the seas for the desert and pulled out one of ultrarunning’s most breath-taking performances, breaking the Badwater course record by 40 minutes and being the first to run it in under 21 hours. The boy from Orange County put the CA in Chosen Author as he showed why he was the one to rewrite the history books. 20:53:46 on the clock, but this timepiece really showed why it’s 1of1. Someone tell the jeweller to bring out their finest buss downs because this man pulled up to turn the desert into a Frozone and showed the heat why he’s the one that’s iced out. The hoopers would call this one Ice Trae the way he pulled up from deep to call game. Badwater 2026 will now be remembered as the time Max Jolliffe redefined the limits of human endurance. Call that one SATISFY’d.
(therunningweek, 2026)
THE MAN WHO CONQUERED DEATH VALLEY.
His first time at Badwater, Max was the rookie no one placed their bets on at the start but took the MVP as rookie of the year by the finish. You know when you see the shades come on, you’re in for a high-speed check the way he ran 135 miles (217km), in 9:17 per mile (5:46 per km), MADNESS. Coming into the final climb there were 3 battling it out in the front pack, where Max breezed the ascent like a walk in the park he finished 12 minutes ahead of Perez, who he was only 1 minute ahead of 12 miles earlier. These types of performances are the ticket you buy to pay your entry to the hall of fame. This MJ finna look to the man in the mirror and tell Jordan why he’s ready to take flight and let him take over the driver’s seat. 13 Grammys, 6 rings and a Badwater course record, there’s a new MJ on the block and the French are calling c’est la vie because his daily running streak is not ready to end anytime soon. It’s the time for Max Jolliffe now and we’re here for the ride,
(@badwater, 2026)
TELL BADWATER, THE SHOW’S NOT OVER.
There’s more to the headlines when there’s the Badwater double-double threat of Max Jolliffe and Carmen Maria Perez. Nearly twelve minutes after Max’s finish, in comes Perez in a time of 21:05:32 to claim the Women’s Course Record. The second fastest time in the race history to further redefine human limits. Another rookie of the race it’s time for the next generation to take a stand and reach a new height never before seen in ultrarunning. Perez and Jolliffe are pioneering a pathway to a running haven only the GOATS can walk, and we’re following that journey every step of the way.
NOTHING LEFT UNCLAIMED.
