Vanessa Kline

2026 @badwaterhq 135 entrant 🏴‍☠️
Single Mom of 3, 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ally, outdoor lover. #cheermom
CEO @beastpacing @beastcoastpro

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

I LOVE being underestimated….

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

A little late posting this, but whatever 🤣

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

INTO THE FIRE

After going through Panamint Springs during the hottest part of the day last year (2025) when @swanrunsfar competed the Badwater 135 it intimidated me like no other part of the course. The temp gauge on our crew van read 137F (clearly not the actual air temp, bc that would be a record), but it was SO STIFLING HOT it was hard to even crew! I honestly don’t know how he and @katesidoli made it through that section during that time.

Because of that I was afraid to go through at the same time and I had a plan. Run hard to get through that checkpoint before the late afternoon sun baked me like a 7-11 hot dog on a roller.

With @meaghanconnollymcelroy spraying me with our garden sprayer we rolled through the Panamint Springs check point at 12:37pm, well ahead my A goal.

This set me up for a sub 24 hour 100 miler en route and en eventual finish time of 35:25:48, 10th female.

#badwater #ultrarunning #deathvalley #heattraining

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

White Sands National Park

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

Proof of Life! Badwater 135 complete!

35:25:48 10th female

A dream come true after learning about this race in 2012.

Huge thank you to my crew: @meaghanconnollymcelroy @swanrunsfar @katesidoli @kuafos and @nlt1129 who put together our race binder which allowed my crew to check race rules quickly, make notes and know where they were on course at any time.

Also, thank you to everyone who has been following along on socials!!

#dreamscometrue #badwater135 #ultrarunning runcommunit

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

Always time for a dance party!

It was 122F at Furnace Creek when we stopped by!

Badwater 135 starts at 8pm PT.

#badwater #ultrarunning #runcommunity #worldstoughestfootrace

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

PSA: ADAPT & OVERCOME

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

HOW TO USE A BIFFY BAG 💩
(from the 2025 Badwater 135 archives)

I could barely keep myself together as we recorded this. There are SO MANY “gold” nuggets all the way through the video.

Maybe I’ll share my on the go toilet set up with y’all later!

#Badwater135 
#WorldsToughestFootRace 
#TranscendDistance

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

Introducing my Badwater 135 Crew/Pacers!

I’m so thankful for these people who will be responsible for helping me safely traverse 135 miles across Death Valley from Badwater Basin to the Mt. Whitney Portal.

The start line is at Badwater Basin, Death Valley, which marks the lowest elevation in North America at 282’ (85.5m) below sea level. The race finishes at Whitney Portal at 8,360’ (2548m). The Badwater 135 course covers three mountain ranges for a total of 14,600’ (4450m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 6,100’ (1859m) of cumulative descent.

Kate Sidoli
From: Southampton, NJ
Fun Fact: She thanked John Swanson for allowing her to pace the most difficult and hottest part of Badwater last year while they were in it.

Meaghan McElroy:
From: Mt. Laurel, NJ
Fun Fact: The way to her heart is with a block of cheese.

Kurt Foster
From: Mt. Laurel, NJ
Fun Fact: Thinks ketchup is spicy and won’t eat Nutella because it looks like 💩

John Swanson
From: Hainesport, NJ
Fun Fact: Once ran a sub 24 hour 100 miler to try to impress a girl.

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

Badwater 135 Pre Race Photo!

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

@JohnGetchel Love this one!

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

POV: your Badwater 135 Crew lands in Vegas and you immediately go on a 10 mile tour around the city 🔥

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

Run Streak Day 101

🔥3 days until Badwater 135 🔥

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

RUN STREAK DAY 100, Real Feel 114F

4 days until the Badwater 135!

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

PSA: ADAPT & OVERCOME

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

2025 - Badwater 135

[Vanessa Kline @vanessajkline]

Throwback - prepping John Swanson for the 2025 Badwater 135

Stoked to be on the other side this year. Taper tantrums have started and I’ve been a little bit of an emotional wreck. Like — I’m about to run my dream race, 15 years in the making.

I hope I make my crew and friends proud 🥹