Cayman endurance runner Kerri Kanuga is embarking on her fifth Badwater135 event, a 135-mile run across California’s Death Valley, on Monday, 11 July.
Running what is often described as “the world’s toughest foot race”, Kanuga is hoping to raise funds for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and childhood cancer research.
On her fundraising website, Ker-a-thon 2022 | A St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser, Kanuga said, since the pandemic, donations to the foundation were down sharply, “which is a big deal since the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is the largest non-government supporter of childhood cancer research grants”.
Any donations will help find cures and give survivors the long and healthy lives they deserve, she said.
The 52-year old Cayman realtor will start the non-stop race from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, California on Monday evening and is expected not to finish before Wednesday morning.
In addition to the searing heat of temperatures of more than 45C degrees (113F), Kanuga will have to overcome an elevation gain from 85 metres (282 feet) below sea level at the start in Death Valley’s Badwater Basin to the 2,530-metre-high finish (8,360 feet) at Whitney Portal.
In total, the course covers three mountain ranges with a total altitude gain of 4,450 metres (14,600 feet).
2022 is the 45th year of the Badwater135. This year features 32 female and 62 male ultramarathon athletes.
Follow Kanuga’s progress on the Badwater135 website.
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