Filipino ultrarunner Gerard Tabios has once again proven his grit and endurance by completing his ninth Badwater 135 Ultramarathon, a grueling 135-mile (217-kilometer) race across California’s Death Valley—often regarded as the most extreme footrace on the planet.
Tabios, 55, crossed the finish line in 42 hours, 40 minutes, and 14 seconds, enduring scorching heat, punishing climbs, and relentless terrain. Backed by his wife Donna and his steadfast Team 81 crew—Tess Leono, Joseph Winwood, Kenneth Elliot, and Don Flauta—he conquered the course from Badwater Basin (280 feet below sea level) to Whitney Portal (8,300 feet), tackling a cumulative ascent of 14,600 feet and 6,100 feet of descent through three unforgiving mountain ranges—without pause.
Based in New York but originally from Bukidnon, Philippines, Tabios has completed more than 200 races, including ultramarathons in 12 U.S. states. Yet, despite all his achievements, he regards Badwater as unmatched in difficulty.
“This race was my ninth, and I’m hoping to do my tenth someday. As a road runner, I consider Badwater the toughest race I’ve ever done,” Tabios shared. “It’s not just about the hills or the distance—you need to train specifically for the extreme heat.”
For Tabios, success at Badwater requires more than physical preparation.
“Quitting is never an option for me. The mind will always try to convince you to stop. But once you go beyond your comfort zone, that’s where the real race begins. One step at a time.”
This season, Tabios has been in top form. He placed 2nd overall at the Sri Chinmoy 12-Hour Ultramarathon in New York (63.08 miles), secured 2nd place at the Livingston Oval Ultra 6-Hour Race in New Jersey (38.28 miles), and earned a podium finish in his age category at the Sri Chinmoy Half Marathon in January.
Held on July 6–7, this year’s Badwater 135 featured 100 elite runners from 24 countries. Norway’s Simen Holvik won the men’s division with a time of 21:47:45, while Marisa Lizak of the U.S. led the women’s race in 25:07:31.
With just one more finish to reach milestone 10, Gerard Tabios is far from done. His journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and the relentless pursuit of pushing limits, one grueling mile at a time.
