CHRISSY OHLINGER / Special to the PVT One ultra-runner moves along at a rapid clip through Death Valley. CHRISSY OHLINGER / Special to the PVT Steven Douglas' crew watches as their runner strides into the next stretch of desert. CHRISSY OHLINGER / Special to the PVT Racer Kermit Cuff looks grim but his crew member on the right helps keep his spirits up. Advertisement

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. -- What would motivate 80 people to run a race 135 miles long, in sweltering summer heat in Death Valley?

According to Gary Hillard, race volunteer and past runner, it's about love for the sport and a very competitive nature.

Hillard says many runners start long-distance endurance training "just by being challenged by longer distances. See how far you can go. The more challenges, like heat and obstacles, make it more of a challenge. You can be challenged by self-competition or competition of a group."

Michele Santilhano, originally from South Africa, is running this year's race "because I don't like heat. It's to make friends with the heat."

Jack Denness, better known to some as "Death Valley Jack," was the first 70-year-old man to run and plans on being the first 75-year-old finisher.

"Because people say when you get old you shouldn't be doing these things," he explained. "But I want to be an inspiration to those who say age is just a number."

He adds jokingly, "I'm a sadist, really."

The AdventureCorps Badwater Ultramarathon means different things to many people, but this year's race was full of surprises for everyone.

The weather peaked at only about 111 degrees at the start of the race Monday, but humidity was high, between 25 and 50 percent.

Forty-year-old Mexican national Jorge Pacheco, from Los Angeles, Calif., won the race, covering the 135 miles to the Mt. Whitney portal in 23 hours, 20 minutes.

A close second went to Hungarian athlete, Akos Konya of Oceanside, Calif., who finished in 23 hours 49 minutes.

In a race where finish times were staggered over 35 hours, a separation of 29 minutes seems trivial.

First place in the women's division went to Jamie Donaldson of Littleton, Colo., who finished in 26 hours, 51 minutes. Donaldson set a new women's record, beating Pamela Reed's former record of 27 hours and 56 minutes set in 2002.

Reed finished the race in second place with 27 hours 42 minutes, although she also beat her former record.

Of the 80 runners, 73 finished the race. Among the people forced to withdraw were two top contenders.

Navy SEAL veteran and world-renowned athlete David Goggins of Chula Vista, Calif., withdrew at Stovepipe Wells, only 42 miles into the race, under mysterious circumstances. Some speculated over-training was the culprit.

Charismatic, good-looking and heavily sponsored, Goggins' quitting was a shock to all. In 2006 Goggins finished fifth and in 2007 he finished third. He seemed a sure bet to finish first or second this year.

Charlie Engle of Greensboro, N.C., was another surprising loss to the race when he withdrew at Stovepipe Wells, too. His crew reported soft tissue injuries in his legs, causing him to throw in the towel for the first time in 30 years.

Time and condition at mile 42 in Stovepipe Wells is telling to the overall success of a runner. It's like Phil Marchant, checkpoint volunteer at Stovepipe Wells, says about continuing past the checkpoint: "You gotta make it to here and still be feeling good."

After Stovepipe Wells, the hard part is still ahead. Hillard leaves no doubt that the most difficult section of the race is Owens Lake: "Because its day two. You've been up all night, the heat is overwhelming, and it's another day."

Not everyone was as jazzed to see 80 runners, plus a six-man crew per runner and countless media representatives maneuvering along Highway 190 among bewildered tourists.

North District ranger for Death Valley National Park John Fish said his primary concerns "are vehicle strikes on people or crossing the road without paying attention. People drive routinely 20 miles per hour over the speed limit."

As the race is 24 hours by nature, night runners pose other challenges to safety. "It's a big old dark desert out here. If they cut themselves short on personal lighting they are setting themselves up for failure."

Because of safety issues and environmental issues, permits for the race are difficult to acquire from all of the agencies involved, which include Inyo National Forest, Inyo County, California Department of Transportation and Death Valley National Park, although there has never yet been any serious injury or death as a direct result from the race.

Safety is one of the primary concerns of Chris Kostman, race director and founder of AdventureCORPS.

"Be safe, be fair, be legal," Kostman reminds participants before the race.