A runner rests his feet during the 135-m

Death Valley, UNITED STATES: A runner rests his feet during the 135-mile (217km) Kiehl’s Badwater Ultramarathon 23 July 2007 Death Valley National Park in southeastern California. Feet take brutal punishment over the course and need to be wrapped and treated to deal with blisters and toenail loss. Badwater, at 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level, is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere and is the starting point for the ultramarathon which finishes at an elevation of 8,360 feet (2,548 meters) at the Mt. Whitney Portals with the winner crossing the finish line in under 24 hours. AFP PHOTO/Robyn BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)