Ben's Journey to Badwater 135
Only 120 days remaining to help Ben's Journey to Badwater 135 reach his fundraising goal
$13,750.00 raised
$13,500.00 goal
Latest Updates
Badwater '26 Race Report
Thanks a lot Thanks for the sun in the sky Thanks a lot Thanks for the clouds so high Thanks a lot Thanks for the whispering wind Thanks a lot Thanks for the birds in the spring Thanks a lot Thanks for the moonlit night Thanks a lot Thanks for the stars so bright Raffi’s beautiful lullaby of gratitude was at the top of my Badwater 135 playlist, a roughly four hour set I had spent the last six months preparing. I planned to use the playlist during the most difficult sections of the race: the scorching Panamint Valley, the death march that is the Father Crowley Climb, all of night two. But my phone died and we had to use all of our outlets to charge blinky lights and headlamps, so I never got to listen to the songs I hoped would power me through the darkest moments. That’s the way with a race like Badwater 135. Whatever you thought was going to happen, whatever you planned, it’s probably going to turn out different. Less than three hours before the start of the race, I was convinced it wasn't going to work out. I was sick to my stomach. This felt mentally different from my typical pre-race nerves because for the past four days I'd had a low level nausea. The three days prior to that were accompanied by cold-like symptoms. I was certain that this latest iteration was a continuation of some bug that would be with me for the next two days. I was so quiet and visibly unsettled during our pre-race meal at the Furnace Creek Saloon that my crew finally asked me what was wrong. I said that I was terrified that my race would include vomiting for hours on end and that it was all going to come unraveled from the start. All but seven of the one hundred athletes chosen to compete in this year’s edition of the Badwater 135 finished the race. That's staggering. People shouldn't be finishing this race. They just shouldn't. When we stepped out of our crew vehicle on Monday night for the 8:00 pm start wave, the temperature gauge read 119 degrees Fahrenheit. An hour later it was 122. Much has been written about the "World's Toughest Footrace." What humbles me most is that to be chosen as a competitor by Kris Kostman, Race Director, and his selection committee means they believe you will finish this race. Most days I still feel like that seventh grade boy who didn't make the middle school basketball “B” team. After the race Kris Kostman calls you up front to stand there with all the other finishers. You've never been prouder and you've never felt more humbled. Pam Chapman-Markle, the seventy year old grandmother who smashed her age group record is on my left. Harvey Lewis, who smashed the record for the fifty to fifty nine age group takes five minutes to share a great conversation with me. The second place finisher, Carmen Maria Perez, is humble and kind. Her attitude, will, and world-class skill as a runner pushed the winner, Max Joliffe, to an all-time finish. These giants. These heroic athletes. You stand among them. They all have a mutual respect for you. It hardly makes sense to that seventh grader still lurking inside. The boy who wept in the hallway when he realized he was the only one in his class to not make the first cut. If that seventh grader only knew what he’d do someday. They believed in you, Ben. That's why you got the invite. They could tell you are a finisher, playlist or no. Badwater 135. It was a dream. I was wrong about the future. I didn't throw up once. Thanks a lot Thanks for the wonder in me Thanks a lot Thanks for the way I feel Thanks for the animals, thanks for the land Thanks for the people everywhere Thanks a lot Thanks for all I've got Thanks for all I've got Ok. Enough with all the feelings. What’s it like to run the Badwater 135, you ask? It’s this. Run to your crew. Get two new bottles. Hand off the two in your belt. Get a new ice bandana. Take a gel or two. Take some applesauce or mashed potatoes. Get hosed down. Run two miles and do it all again. For two days. This race is entirely about your crew. Their diligence, stamina, focus, and preparation are as much the keys to the runner’s success as is the runner’s execution of the course. Joseph Bearss, Becki Lynn Bauer, and Crew Chief Emily Luhrs kept me fed, hydrated, iced, and always moving forward.
Added on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 02:16 PM
My first week with Back on My Feet
Greetings, team! In case you haven't heard, I recently accepted the position of Executive Director of the Chicago chapter of Back on My Feet. When I applied to run the Badwater 135 back in January and chose Back on My Feet as my charity partner, I had no idea that journey would eventually lead me here. I just completed my first full week in the role, and the experience has been both humbling and inspiring. Our team on the ground in Chicago is extraordinary, working every day to create opportunities for members who are among the city's most vulnerable residents. From recently paroled individuals to those recovering from addiction, the need is significant—and Back on My Feet is helping meet it through community, accountability, and support. In addition to helping members secure employment and housing, we're also helping them discover the transformative power of movement and fitness. This fall, five current members and one alum will be running the Chicago Marathon—a remarkable testament to what's possible when people are given the opportunity and support needed to thrive. Your support has meant so much as I've continued this journey. Training for Badwater has been intense, but it's going well. With just six weeks remaining until the world's toughest footrace, I'm focused on preparing for the challenge ahead and raising as much support as possible for this incredible organization. If you're willing, I'd be grateful if you would share this update with one person who might be interested in supporting the mission. Every introduction and contribution makes a difference. Thank you again for your encouragement and support. Ben
Added on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 08:16 PM
135 Miles in 10 Days
I don't normally train with a lot of high mileage. But I wanted to give myself a big challenge heading into the summer months. This last week has been a real test. The goal was simple: run 13.5 miles per day for 10 days. But simple as we know, is not easy. The alarm was often set for 3:45 am or earlier and I really struggled to get out the door in the last couple days of the effort. But I did it. And I'm going to draw down on this week of training during the race. Thanks so much everyone who donated this last week and throughout the campaign. Excited for the miles and heat training that lies ahead.
Added on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 05:11 PM
A MESSAGE FROM Ben's Journey to Badwater 135
I've dreamed of running the Badwater 135 since I trained for my first marathon 20 years ago. It's humbling and inspiring to be selected as one of one hundred athletes who will toe the line at Badwater Basin later this summer.

On my application for the race I indicated that I would use this effort to raise money for an organization that means a lot to me: Back on My Feet. Back on My Feet empowers people experiencing homelessness and addiction to transform their lives and achieve self-sufficiency through the power of running, community, and support services.

I have been a volunteer with Back on My Feet for the past 12 years. Having the chance to use this effort, training for and racing "The World's Toughest Foot Race", to raise money for Back on My Feet is so rewarding. Please consider helping out the other inspiring individuals who make up this incredible organization by making a donation. 
  • Amy Luke made a $198.00 donation
    $198.00
  • Brooke Larson made a $50.00 donation
    $50.00
  • Jason Patera made a $100.00 donation

    Thank you for inspiring us all to do hard things!

    $100.00
  • Cameron Gilly made a $50.00 donation
    $50.00
  • Sarah Rexroad made a $50.00 donation

    I am so proud of you!!!

    $50.00
  • Weinberg Family made a $50.00 donation

    Congratulations on this incredible achievement!

    $50.00
  • Garrett Gunn made a $135.00 donation
    $135.00
  • Rebecca Gallagher made a $26.00 donation

    Thank you for your work and your spirit, Ben! This has been a week of Ricks memories and connections; maybe all leading to this coming up on my FB. May the running spirits be with you!!

    $26.00
  • Eric Noeth made a $500.00 donation

    So excited for you!

    $500.00
  • Monica Lovett made a $50.00 donation

    Thank you for coaching my niece, Julie Ames, for Leadville this year. You’ve been such a positive influence on her, and I know how much your support, encouragement, and guidance have meant. She’s been truly inspired by you, and I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done to help her along the way.

    $50.00
  • Michael Dicke made a $500.00 donation

    Finish Strong for Back on My Feet and for TT, mom and dad.

    $500.00
  • In memory of dave duban sr made a $135.00 donation

    thank you for using your miles for good 勺

    $135.00
  • Bob Trask made a $26.00 donation

    Ben you are amazing and inspiring!

    $26.00
  • Anna Mijalski made a $20.00 donation

    Congrats! Doing a great thing, Ben!

    $20.00
  • Ann Greenaway made a $100.00 donation
    $100.00
  • Anonymous made a $135.00 donation

    Way to go Ben! What an amazing accomplishment!

    $135.00
  • Jana Douglas made a $200.00 donation

    Ben this is so amazing!! congrats to you and your crew. What an achievement.

    $200.00
  • Anonymous made a $250.00 donation
    $250.00
  • Anne Griffin made a $135.00 donation

    So proud of you! ❤️

    $135.00
  • Michael Dicke made a $500.00 donation

    crush Badwater 135 for Back on My Feet

    $500.00
  • Matthew Newton made a $135.00 donation
    $135.00
  • Rebecca Armatis-Furr made a $100.00 donation

    Best of luck on your adventure to one of my favorite people ever! Sending love from the whole Furr family.

    $100.00
  • In honor of Ben Dicke made a $50.00 donation

    Thank you for all the support you provide others. So appreciative for the impact that you made on Elena's life! You shine light in everything you do!

    $50.00
  • Jen Hyde made a $26.00 donation

    Good luck Ben - stay cool!

    $26.00
  • Kathy Higa made a $135.00 donation

    One last push!!! Goooo Ben!!!! You got this!!!

    $135.00
  • Ten Junk Miles made a $250.00 donation
    $250.00
  • Brenda Lara made a $50.00 donation
    $50.00
  • Liz and Tom made a $100.00 donation

    We’ll be thinking of you as you run down this dream, with such admiration and even more love.

    $100.00
  • Sara Foster made a $135.00 donation
    $135.00
  • Terence Gerchberg made a $135.00 donation

    get after it…& have fun in the process!!!

    $135.00
  • Bill Turner made a $26.00 donation

    Overachievers gonna overachieve! Go Ben - BoMFDallas

    $26.00
  • Maria Duda made a $40.00 donation
    $40.00
  • Flynn Okner made a $26.00 donation

    youve got this!!!!

    $26.00
  • Alison Sage made a $50.00 donation

    You are a true inspiration, and we are all so proud of you!! Your back on my feet family will be cheering you on from start to finish!

    $50.00
  • Anonymous made a $100.00 donation
    $100.00
  • Dave Wilcoxen made a $50.00 donation
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  • Claire Ruberman made a $50.00 donation
    $50.00
  • Pat Clark made a $20.00 donation
    $20.00
  • Anonymous made a $135.00 donation
    $135.00
  • Whitney Reddan made a $50.00 donation

    Go Ben!!!! You got this - Whitney & Brian p.s. thanks for all the morning miles!!

    $50.00
  • Ashley Davis made a $100.00 donation
    $100.00
  • Connor Donnelly made a $25.00 donation

    Good luck, Ben! You’re amazing and will do so great! -Connor

    $25.00
  • Jennie Thomas made a $20.00 donation

    Go crush it!

    $20.00
  • Allison Clark made a $25.00 donation

    Good luck Ben! We'll be cheering you on from Harbor Light!

    $25.00
  • Randy Kohl made a $26.00 donation

    Good luck. I've hiked in Death Valley and am blown away by your commitment.

    $26.00
  • In honor of Izzy Chern made a $50.00 donation

    Good luck, Ben. Great cause. Thanks for all that you do to help others. Kevin

    $50.00
  • Joel Moore made a $135.00 donation

    Good luck Ben! The Moore fam will be cheering you on!

    $135.00
  • Brooke Larson made a $135.00 donation

    great job Ben!! we’re all cheering you on!! good luck & be safe!!

    $135.00
  • Tvesha Gupta made a $100.00 donation

    Congratulations on your new role!!

    $100.00
  • Lila Napientek made a $26.00 donation

    go Ben! go!

    $26.00
  • Miles Luke made a $135.00 donation
    $135.00
  • Sasha Hildebrand made a $100.00 donation

    so proud of you!!!! you got this! love you!

    $100.00
  • Becki Lynn Bauer made a $259.00 donation

    Coach Ben!! I love your dedication and passion to help others!! Thank you for supporting and sharing this amazing cause!! So Excited to be a part of your journey!

    $259.00
  • In memory of Mason Short made a $50.00 donation

    Go Ben! Mason would be so proud of you (while ribbing you for choosing such a long race!)

    $50.00
  • Hannah Russell made a $100.00 donation

    go kick some a$$ Ben!

    $100.00
  • Darren DeMatoff made a $100.00 donation

    Ben! So glad to be a part of your journey!!! You are an inspiration!

    $100.00
  • Michael Brosilow made a $100.00 donation
    $100.00
  • Anonymous made a $100.00 donation
    $100.00
  • Katie Rowbottom made a $50.00 donation

    you are amazing! rooting for you!!

    $50.00
  • Marina McCormack made a $50.00 donation
    $50.00
  • Michael Dicke made a $100.00 donation

    Such a powerful testimony to the power of community, compassion and commitment. Those 3, make what seems impossible, possible. the proof is seen every day. Such a worthy cause.

    $100.00
  • Peggy Roeder made a $25.00 donation

    Keep up the GREAT work!

    $25.00
  • Anonymous made a $50.00 donation
    $50.00
  • In honor of Ben Dicke made a $270.00 donation
    $270.00
  • John Moore made a $100.00 donation

    Team Ben!

    $100.00
  • Grey Fox and Golden Retriever made a $50.00 donation

    We love you!

    $50.00
  • Junko Kazukawa made a $50.00 donation

    So excited for you! Good luck! I will be cheering for you! 

    $50.00
  • Alex Ranton made a $50.00 donation
    $50.00
  • Amanda Dykema-Engblade made a $50.00 donation

    Go, Ben, Go!!

    $50.00
  • Dana Landau made a $26.00 donation
    $26.00
  • Adrian Aguilar made a $13.00 donation
    $13.00
  • Jeremy Thilman made a $26.00 donation

    Get it!

    $26.00
  • Karen Brown made a $135.00 donation

    Go Team Ben!!

    $135.00
  • Kristin Stenerson made a $50.00 donation

    good luck Ben! what an awesome cause to support!

    $50.00
  • Lucy Murphy made a $13.00 donation
    $13.00
  • Julie Ames made a $13.00 donation

    You’re gonna crush this race! I just know it!!! Can’t wait to follow along. Be the fox! 力 

    $13.00
  • Erica Howard made a $26.00 donation

    go get em Ben! the Howards are cheering you on!

    $26.00
  • Kira Hawkins made a $26.00 donation

    Go Ben, GO! Always in your corner!

    $26.00
  • Mary Dicke made a $50.00 donation

    go, BEN, go!!

    $50.00
  • Gregg Rojewski made a $50.00 donation

    I am so inspired by you and Emily! I’m so happy that our paths crossed in life. You're going to crush this ultra!

    $50.00
  • David Schlumpf made a $135.00 donation

    Get it! Be safe! Have fun!

    $135.00
  • Emily Beigel made a $200.00 donation
    $200.00
  • Caroline McCabe made a $100.00 donation

    you're incredible Ben, enjoy the race!

    $100.00
  • Nathaniel Burke made a $135.00 donation

    You’re amazing man!

    $135.00
  • Vanessa Schilling made a $100.00 donation

    you are amazing!

    $100.00
  • Nehal Shah made a $135.00 donation
    $135.00
  • Melissa Metelits made a $50.00 donation

    Love what you're doing!

    $50.00
  • Michael Dicke made a $100.00 donation

    To my brothers and sisters at BOMF trying hard to make that extra effort to change their lives. Keep running toward that goal.

    $100.00
  • Kathy Higa made a $100.00 donation
    $100.00
  • Cameron Gilly made a $135.00 donation

    Great cause and can’t wait to follow along. Gove em hell, Ben

    $135.00
  • Jackie Fox made a $26.00 donation

    So excited for you!!!

    $26.00
  • Shannan Steele made a $26.00 donation

    GET IT!!!落勺. Sending love!!

    $26.00
  • McDonald Family Charitable Fund made a $3,000.00 donation
    $3,000.00
  • Andrew Jensen made a $20.00 donation

    Push and believe!

    $20.00
  • Cole Abod made a $26.00 donation

    You're a champ!!!

    $26.00
  • Elizabeth Johnson made a $50.00 donation

    This is so awesome Ben!

    $50.00
  • Jennifer Stricker made a $50.00 donation

    So proud of you, Ben! You’re a true inspiration to all. The BAD in Badwater stands for BAD A$$!

    $50.00
  • Michael Dicke made a $50.00 donation

    What a worthwhile endeavor...the race and this charity work.

    $50.00
  • Mike Yocum made a $50.00 donation

    Happy to support you and this organization brother!

    $50.00
  • Joseph Bearss made a $50.00 donation
    $50.00
  • Terri Rivera made a $50.00 donation

    u r a crazy inspo!! 

    $50.00
  • Greg Miller made a $135.00 donation
    $135.00
  • Alexander Williams made a $100.00 donation

    Really proud of you, Ben!, Sandy

    $100.00
  • Nicholas Kosiek made a $50.00 donation
    $50.00
  • The Borguilars made a $100.00 donation

    From Adrian and Brie. You're making a real difference in this world and we couldn't be prouder.

    $100.00
  • Anonymous made a $26.00 donation
    $26.00
  • Karen Wood made a $50.00 donation

    Yes. You will CRUSH it, Ben. I know you will!!!!

    $50.00
  • Kathy Higa made a $135.00 donation

    Gooo Ben!!! Back on My Feet!!!

    $135.00
  • Peggy Roeder made a $50.00 donation

    You are a remarkable man!

    $50.00
  • Chris Hagenah made a $200.00 donation

    Go Ben!

    $200.00
  • Nathan Watt made a $135.00 donation
    $135.00
  • Kevin Bertram made a $100.00 donation

    go get ‘em Ben!

    $100.00
  • Anne Griffin made a $100.00 donation
    $100.00
  • Todd and Sharon Walbert made a $100.00 donation
    $100.00
  • Anonymous made a $100.00 donation

    go get em Ben!

    $100.00
  • Naomi Copeland made a $36.00 donation
    $36.00
  • Anonymous made a $13.00 donation
    $13.00

St. Len's - Back on My Feet
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