Death Valley suspends endurance races

While Canadian runners are trying to keep warm on winter runs, park officials at Death Valley national park in California are worried about athletes getting too hot.

The park has suspended all endurance events — mainly running and cycling — that have not already been approved for 2013. This means all events except one, which was already approved, in the park are in jeopardy of being cancelled for 2014 and beyond until the park has completed an assessment on if these types of events are safe. The most well-known event to runners that happens annually in Death Valley is the Badwater 135 mile ultramarathon. It starts in the Badwater basin area of the park, the lowest point in the North America at 86m below sea level.

Death Valley is one of the hottest places on earth and holds the record for highest ever reliable air temperature reading at 57 Celsius. When the Badwater is run temperatures regularly fall just shy of 50 Celsius.

According to the San Bernardino Sun, race director Chris Kostman said the decision is “Orwellian,” and claimed the event brings in $1 million USD to communities on the perimeter of the park which rely largely on tourism.

The assessment is expected to be completed in March, but it could take longer. Park officials will not accept any new endurance event applications until it is complete and ones which have not yet be approved have been put on hold.