Furnace Creek 508: Need to Know

Founded by John Marino in 1983 and known as "The Toughest 48 hours in Sport," Furnace Creek 508 is the world's premier ultramarathon bicycle race. This 508-mile bicycle race is revered the world over for its epic mountain climbs, stark desert scenery, desolate roads, and its reputation as one of the toughest but most gratifying endurance challenges available, bar none. The course has a total elevation gain of over 35,000', crosses ten mountain passes, and stretches from Santa Clarita (just north of Los Angeles), across the Mojave Desert, through Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve, to the finish line at the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park, Twentynine Palms, CA.

The race is held every year in October, usually on the first or second weekend.

2013 Schedule of Events

For other important dates, be sure to review the AdventureCORPS Calendar at this link.

SUNRISE/SUNSET/TWILIGHT: Using Valencia as a reference on Oct 5, Civil Twilight begins at 6:29AM and Sunrise is at 6:54AM, while Sunset is at 6:29PM and Civil Twilight ends at 6:54PM.

OFFICIAL RACE TIME: Click here to set your watch to official race time.

APPLYING TO RACE: Furnace Creek 508 is an invitational race. Applications to compete in the 2013 race will be made available March 5 to March 19, 2013 ONLY. The 2013 race field is now CLOSED.

New for 2014 and beyond, Minimum Qualifying Standards must be met before applying: For all the information, click here.

RACE ROSTER: Click here for the 2013 roster.

508 GEAR: Click here to see the 2012 Gear. | Stay tuned for the 2013 Gear. | Click here to order a 508 Belt Buckle, DVD, or Race Magazine!

WEBCAST: Will be hosted during the race (starting about 1100am on Friday, October 4 with a Live Webcam at Racer Check-In) for time splits, images, and more. Click here for the 2012 webcast. Stay tuned for the 2013 webcast link.

RACE MAGAZINE: Click here for the 2012 Race Magazine! Stay tuned for the 2013 edition.

RULES: Read them, learn them, live them: Click here.

SPONSORS: Special thanks to Hammer Nutrition, Bicycle John’s of Santa Clarita, Hilton Garden Inn of Santa Clarita, Furnace Creek Ranch, and the Best Western Gardens Inn of Twentynine Palms.

DISTANCE: 508.7 miles, unless rerouting is required due to road closures or other circumstances. (The route was 508.5 miles prior to 2007, when a new route around the town of Mojave was forced upon us by road work. Thus, from 2007 through 2011, it was 509.58 miles. With a new start line location as of 2012, the route is now 508.7 miles.)

ROUTE: The Official Route for the Furnace Creek 508 is included in the Race Magazine and on this website. The 508.7 mile course covers 35,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain while passing through Santa Clarita, Mojave, Randsburg, Trona, Panamint Valley, Death Valley, Stovepipe Wells, Furnace Creek, Badwater, Shoshone, Baker, Amboy, and Twentynine Palms.

DIVISIONS OFFERED. Click here for the info.

COURSE RECORDS: Visit the Results Page for all course records.

STARTING LOCATION: Hyatt Regency Valencia 24500 Town Center Drive (at McBean Pkwy), Valencia, CA 91355, 661-799-1234. Driving instructions from the San Fernando Valley: Proceed north on Interstate 5 for about 20 miles, exit at Magic Mountain Parkway in the Valencia part of Santa Clarita, and go right / east. After about a mile, turn right on McBean Pkwy. The Hyatt is on the right at the intersection with Town Center Drive, but drive beyond that intersection and enter the parking lot on the right, after the hotel. The Hyatt has a block of rooms available at a very special 508 rate, so be sure to utilize the special code (revealed to confirmed entrants only) when you make your reservation through their website. All entrants are encouraged to stay at the Hyatt Regency Valencia. Website.

BIKE SHOP SUPPORT AT THE START LINE AND BIKE SHIPPING: We are pleased to announce that Bicycle John’s of Santa Clarita will once again be on hand at the host hotel on Friday to assist with last minute (and basic) bicycle repairs, as well as last minute product needs and purchases. Also, they will have a neutral support van on the course on Saturday morning for the first 25 miles of the race (when your support teams are already up the road, waiting for you). If you want to pre-order anything special or extra for the race, or you need to ship a bike out in advance, then we recommend Bicycle John's for all your 508 needs! Contact them by phone (661)-254-7300 or at 26635 Valley Center Dr., Santa Clarita, CA 91351 Info here.

ENDING LOCATION: At the finish line host hotel, as detailed below. Chris Kostman can be reached there after the lead rider arrives - (760) 367-9141. Plan on hanging out at the finish line to greet other finishing riders, which will help everyone get to know one another better and make the weekend more fun.

FINISH LINE HOTEL: Best Western Gardens Motel, 71487 Twenty Nine Palms Highway, Twenty Nine Palms, CA 92277, 760-367-9141. A very nice hotel located literally at the finish line of the race on the main drag (Hwy 62). AAA and AARP discounts are available. Make your reservations ASAP. Identify yourself with the 508. (If this hotel is full, there is also a nearby Marriott and Motel 6. For a list of motels and hotels in Twentynine Palms, click here.)

RACE HEADQUARTERS (during the event): The race voicemail is 888-917-1117. You may leave important messages, updates, or DNF calls at that number. Please speak slowly, clearly, and be sure to identify yourself fully. If a rider drops out of competition, call Race Headquarters AT ONCE! State why and where you or your rider dropped out. For emergencies, call 911. From Sunday morning onwards, Race HQ is located at the finish line hotel at (760) 367-9141, Room 508.

POST RACE BREAKFAST: As in 2012, we will host a post-race breakfast right at the finish line hotel on Monday morning. What could be more convenient than that? It will be a catered meal with seating for 300+ and the caterers promise to move everyone through the line very rapidly. This will take place on Monday, October 8 from 7am to 9am at the Best Western Gardens Motel in 29 Palms. PLEASE plan on staying for the breakfast. We are paying for it, for all racers, crews, and staff. Breakfast will include breakfast burritos with vegetarian and vegan options or alternatives, cinammon rolls, scones, fruit, coffee, and drinks. It will be great!

TOTEMS, NOT RACE NUMBERS: As always, we will continue with animal totems rather than numbers. Each racer may request, or will receive, an animal name that must be posted on all four sides of each vehicle. Animals are the theme—antelope, bear, cheetah, duck, etc. Be sure to memorize your totem; this is how you and your crew will identify yourselves to time stations and race officials. Returning racers will have the same totems as before. New riders may request a specific animal totem when they submit their entry form, however only Chris Kostman can officially assign animal totems, following a special ritual ablution and spiritual practice. Totems, whether nickname, mascot, alter ego, second identity, or spirit guide, are permanent and non-transferable.

OFFICIAL FINISHER'S DISTINCTION: To finish the Furnace Creek 508 is a noted accomplishment in the world of ultra endurance sports. The time limit is 48 hours for solo entrants and 46 hours for teams.

AWARDS: All solo and team OFFICIAL FINISHERS will receive a finisher’s medal at the finish line. They will also receive an OFFICIAL FINISHER'S jersey, produced by Hincapie Sports, at the finish line. To see the 508 T-shirt designs from 1990 through 2000, plus RAAM T-shirts from 1982 through 1998, click here. Click here to see the 2009 gear designs!

NANCY DANKENBRING AWARD: This Award is intended to encourage and increase the participation of female athletes in Ultra Cycling race events in general and the Furnace Creek 508 in specific. In particular, this Award is to encourage increased participation of female athletes who have never previously competed in any ultra race events.

Therefore, the Nancy Dankenbring Award is to be presented in recognition of the best female rookie solo rider entered, regardless of age, who enters and successfully finishes the Furnace Creek 508 in the lowest official time recorded.

The Nancy Dankenbring Award is a perpetual award intended expressly to be concurrent with the Furnace Creek 508 for as long as this race event is properly and officially sanctioned, organized and run.

The physical award itself may be monetary, services, merchandise or product; complementary/free entry in the next year's Furnace Creek 508 and/or other UMCA event(s); trophy, plaque or other device; or any combination or proportion as determined by event officials. For more information, click here.

PERMITS: This event is held under special use permits from the Angeles National Forest, Death Valley National Park, Mojave National Preserve, California Department of Transportation, and Inyo County, and is overseen by the California Highway Patrol. (If one of these agencies won’t issue us a permit, this race could be cancelled. Please keep that in mind!)

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

OFFICIAL CHARITIES: The official charities of Furnace Creek 508 are the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), Major Taylor Association, and Death Valley Natural History Association. Additionally, AdventureCORPS is a member of 1% For The Planet and the Conservation Alliance. One of the goals of the race is to raise funds for, and awareness of, these organizations.

The Challenged Athletes Foundation was created on the belief that people of all abilities should have the opportunity to pursue a life full of physical activity and of sports. Be they recreational or in pursuit of a gold medal at the Paralympic Games, people with a physical disability are limited only by their access to funding. Since 1994, CAF has raised more than $30 million—allowing the Foundation to satisfy thousands of funding requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and across the globe.

Eighty-nine cents of every dollar raised by CAF provides funding and programs that get challenged athletes into the game. Whether it’s a $2,000 handcycle, helping underwrite a $15,000 running prosthetic or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar injury, CAF’s mission is clear: give those with the desire to live active, competitive lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love.

Athletes, crew, fans, and friends of AdventureCORPS are encouraged to support Challenged Athletes Foundation. Additionally, all entrants in Furnace Creek 508 (as well as all other AdventureCORPS events) may become fund-raisers on behalf of CAF and thus dedicate their athletic efforts towards this wonderful cause. Fund-raising with this "Race For a Reason" program is made simple with a fully automated and personalized webpage where your friends, family, and co-workers may log onto your website and donate to your efforts in a totally safe and easy manner.

Click here to visit the CAF website. | Click here to donate to CAF. |

Click here for the "Race For a Reason" program—You can personally participate in our events on behalf of CAF - and even earn cool incentive prizes in recognition of your efforts!

Click here to read about the events that AdventureCORPS' Chris Kostman has competed in on behalf of CAF.

Furnace Creek 508 and AdventureCORPS are also proud to support the Major Taylor Association. The MTA was formed by residents of Worcester, Mass., who became intrigued with the story of the 1899 world champion bicycle racer from Worcester who overcame racial prejudice to become the first internationally acclaimed African-American sports star. The organization's mission is to memorialize Major Taylor with a statue on public land in Worcester, in recognition of his athletic achievements and strength of character—his sportsmanship, concern for those less fortunate, devotion to God, and personal struggle for equality. Further, MTA aims to create a living memorial to Taylor by conducting good works in his name and educating people about his life and legacy. We are proud to support the Major Taylor Association and we encourage you to do the same. For more info about our charitable work with the MTA, click here.

Click here to visit the MTA website. | Click here to donate to MTA.

Furnace Creek 508 and AdventureCORPS are also proud to support the Death Valley Natural History Association. In association with our membership in 1% For The Planet, we are very pleased to announce that we joined the Death Valley Natural History Association as Life Members and are recognizing DVNHA as an Official Charity of AdventureCORPS as of January 23, 2009. DVNHA is a non-profit organization supporting education, research, and preservation in Death Valley National Park and Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Some of their efforts include DeathValley R.O.C.K.S. (bringing inner city kids to experience one of the largest outdoor classrooms in the world), Devil's Hole Pupfish Recovery, Death Valley All Taxa Biological Inventory, plus they run the wonderful gift shops at the Furnace Creek Visitor's Center, Scotty's Castle Museum, Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station, and at the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Office.

Click here to visit the DVNHA website. | Click here to donate to DVNHA.

More Opportunities to Race, Ride, or Train in Death Valley with AdventureCORPS!

CORPScamp™ Death Valley is our annual cycling lifestyle training camp hosted in Furnace Creek and featuring up to 300 miles of epic, one-of-a-kind cycling in and around “Mother Nature’s Greatest Sports Arena,” Death Valley National Park. It concludes with participation in our Hell's Gate Hundred. We've been producing events here since 1990 and never tire of sharing one of the world's most dramatic, inspiring, and unusual landscapes. From desert flowers to snow-capped mountains, we'll see it all by bicycle. Come join the folks at AdventureCORPS and fellow athlete-adventurers from around the globe for five fabulous days of cycling and camaraderie in beautiful, one-of-a-kind Death Valley! Includes daily afternoon CORPSyoga classes.More info.

AdventureCORPS Presents Death Valley Century, Ultra Century, and Double Century: Join us in February and October every year for incredible, one-of-a-kind 100 mile and 200 mile cycling events in Mother Nature's greatest sports arena, Death Valley! The field limit is 300 riders total and it always sells out within days. The Spring and Fall editions feature greatly varying routes, giving the adventurous cyclist two awesome opportunities to explore and enjoy one of American's greatest National Parks. With full rider support, roving SAG vehicles, stylish cycling jerseys, and impossible-to-get-lost routes with very little traffic, there's no better place to ride a century or double century cycling event! There's also no better way to get a preview of the middle section of the 508 route! More info.

DEATH VALLEY CUP: The Death Valley Cup is awarded to the fastest male and female athletes to complete both the Badwater Ultramarathon 135 Mile Running Race and the Furnace Creek 508 Mile Bicycle Race in the same calendar year. This is a form of recognition for those athletes who complete both races in the same year, and also an actual plaque that is awarded each time an athlete breaks the current overall record for either the men's or women's divisions. Thus, there are, at any given moment, two Death Valley Cup Record Holders, as well as an ongoing, slowly increasing list of Death Valley Cup Finishers. To earn this recognition is a very significant achievement in endurance sports and especially for those athletes who have come to know and love Death Valley and its environs. More info.

	For the 2012 Pre-Race Press Release
	For lots of links about Death Valley
	For the phases of the moon and to find out what the moon will be doing during the race
	For the time of moon or sun rise, anywhere, any day, courtesy of the US Naval Observatory