plan to run in 1981. He worked out with Jay Birmingham and Jon Griffin in Marina Del Rey before the attempt, and Jay's run from Los Angeles to New York City. The second Badwater-to-Whitney running was completed in 1981, by Jay Birmingham. In 1987, the crossing became an official, organized footrace. Gill Cornell of Ridgecrest California ran the 146 miles in 45 hours and 15 minutes breaking the old record of 56 hours to the top of Whitney. Gill had permits for both Death Valley and Mount Whitney to run his distance. Five other runners competed that year. During the early years of the race, no particular route between Badwater and Whitney was specified and runners attempted various "shortcuts" between the start and finish. Adrian Crane, one of the competitors in the inaugural race, even used cross-country skis to cross the salt-flats at Badwater. In 1988 the race was called the Badwater 146 because the finish line was the summit of Mt. Whitney. Since 1989 the race was shortened and it became Badwater 135 since it was impossible to get enough permits to run the last 11 miles up on national forest lands to the top of Whitney from the Portals. So, the official times were faster and the course shorter. AdventureCORPS Badwater Ultramarathon Currently, AdventureCORPS manages the competitive race from Badwater to Whitney Portal. The course route is specified, and the race is held annually. The field is invitation-only and limited in size. Demand to participate in the race usually far exceeds available spots. Rules have changed somewhat over the years: afternoon starts have been discontinued; the use of intravenous fluids now disqualifies a runner. Course support is not provided. Each runner must arrange for his or her own support crew and vehicle. The crew provides their runner with his or her needs, including water, ice, food, gear, pacing, and first aid. In the past, runners were allowed sixty hours to complete the course, but this has been changed to a 48-hour course limit and a 28 hours cutoff at Panamint Springs Resort. Finishers receive a belt buckle and medal but no prize money is awarded. The record for the race was set in 1991 by Marshall Ulrich: 33 hours and 54 minutes. Records for the current course are 21 hours 33 minutes 01 seconds (men), set by Yoshihiko Ishikawa, and 24 hours 9 minutes 34 seconds (women), set