David Goggins’ Hardest Races: 10 Brutal Endurance Challenges That Pushed Him to the Limit
- Diego Tobias
- Feb 26
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 28
David Goggins isn’t just an ultrarunner—he’s the toughest man alive. A former Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller, he has made a name for himself in the world of endurance sports by taking on some of the hardest races on the planet. And unlike most elite runners, Goggins doesn’t train for comfort—he trains for suffering.
From 135 miles in Death Valley to 240 miles through the Utah desert, from running himself into kidney failure to competing with broken bones, Goggins has embraced pain, exhaustion, and adversity like no other athlete in history.
But what are the hardest races he’s ever run? And what did he have to say about them? Here’s a look at 10 of David Goggins’ toughest races, along with his own brutally honest take on the suffering he endured.
1. Badwater 135 (2006, 2007, 2013, 2014) – The Race That Nearly Killed Him
Distance: 135 milesLocation: Death Valley, CaliforniaTemperature: Up to 130°F (54°C)Time Limit: 48 hours
The Badwater 135 is one of the most brutal ultramarathons in the world. Running 135 miles through Death Valley, in temperatures that can melt asphalt, this race destroys even the most elite endurance athletes.
Goggins first ran Badwater in 2006—with no prior ultramarathon experience. To qualify, he ran 100 miles in 19 hours on a whim, nearly destroying his body. In Badwater itself, he suffered from severe dehydration, heat exhaustion, and blistered feet, yet still finished.
In 2007, he returned and placed 3rd overall, proving that suffering was his specialty.
Goggins’ Take:
"That race broke me. I was peeing blood, I was hallucinating, I collapsed multiple times—but quitting wasn’t an option."
Why It’s Brutal:
135 miles in deadly heat.
Extreme elevation gain.
David ran it multiple times because he’s insane.
2. Moab 240 (2020) – 240 Miles of Pure Pain
Distance: 240 milesElevation Gain: 29,000+ feetTime Limit: 112 hours
If 100 miles sounds impossible, try running 240 miles—through the Utah desert, mountains, and rivers.
At the 2020 Moab 240, Goggins finished 2nd overall, despite:
Sleep deprivation (barely sleeping for four days).
Severe foot injuries (his feet looked like raw hamburger meat).
Collapsing from exhaustion, waking up, and immediately running again.
Goggins’ Take:
"I don’t stop when I’m tired. I stop when I’m done. Sleep? That’s for normal people."
Why It’s Brutal:
240 miles is nearly 10 marathons—non-stop.
Massive elevation gain.
No sleep. No excuses. Just suffering.
3. Leadville 100 (2007, 2016) – The High-Altitude Nightmare
Distance: 100 milesElevation Gain: 15,000+ feetAltitude: 10,000–12,600 feet
The Leadville 100 is one of the hardest 100-mile races in the world. Running at 10,000+ feet, where oxygen is scarce, every step is an uphill battle.
Goggins ran Leadville in 2007, just a year after his brutal Badwater experience. Despite altitude sickness, extreme fatigue, and nearly collapsing multiple times, he pushed through. He returned in 2016, finishing in the top 25.
Goggins’ Take:
"People quit because they think they’ve hit their limit. But your mind gives up before your body does. At Leadville, I kept going when my body begged me to stop."
Why It’s Brutal:
High altitude makes breathing almost impossible.
Brutal mountain climbs.
Mentally and physically exhausting.
4. HURT 100 (2019) – The Jungle of Pain
Distance: 100 milesElevation Gain: 24,500 feetLocation: Hawaii
The HURT 100 is an ultramarathon through Hawaii’s treacherous jungles. Runners battle steep climbs, deep mud, tangled roots, and endless suffering.
Goggins ran this race with torn-up feet, extreme fatigue, and sheer grit, pushing himself through some of the hardest terrain in ultrarunning.
Goggins’ Take:
"Pain is just weakness leaving the body. HURT 100 had a lot of pain. So I got a lot stronger."
Why It’s Brutal:
Jungle terrain is unforgiving.
Muddy, slippery, and insanely steep.
Foot-destroying trails.
5. Western States 100 (2007, 2016) – The Classic Sufferfest
Distance: 100 milesElevation Gain: 18,000 feetWeather: Scorching heat
The Western States 100 is the oldest 100-mile race in the U.S., featuring relentless hills, extreme heat, and brutal climbs.
Goggins ran it twice, proving that his ability to suffer had no limits.
Goggins’ Take:
"It’s not about talent. It’s about how bad you want it. Western States was my kind of pain."
Why It’s Brutal:
Extreme elevation gain.
Temperatures can hit 100°F+.
Brutally competitive.
6. San Diego One Day 24-Hour Race (2005) – Where It All Began
Distance: 101 milesTime Limit: 24 hours
Goggins ran this race to qualify for Badwater—without training.
He ran the first 70 miles easily.
Then his body collapsed.
He pissed blood, had kidney failure, and still finished 101 miles.
Goggins’ Take:
"I taped my feet, stood up, and finished the race. Because that’s what I do."
Why It’s Brutal:
First ultra ever, with no training.
He literally ran himself into kidney failure.
Zero quit in this man.
7. Tahoe 200 (2018) – A 200-Mile Sufferfest
Distance: 205 milesElevation Gain: 40,000+ feet
Goggins placed 2nd overall, despite the insane distance, lack of sleep, and brutal mountain climbs.
Goggins’ Take:
"You have to be willing to suffer more than anyone else. That’s how you win."
Why It’s Brutal:
Four days of non-stop running.
Extreme fatigue and hallucinations.
Goggins still finished near the top.
8. Boston Marathon (Multiple Years) – Just for Fun
Goggins ran Boston multiple times—just to "keep his mind sharp."
Goggins’ Take:
"Boston is a warm-up."
Why It’s Brutal:
Boston is tough, but for Goggins? Easy.
9. 4x4x48 Challenge – Self-Inflicted Suffering
Distance: 48 milesFormat: 4 miles, every 4 hours, for 48 hours
Goggins created this challenge to test mental toughness.
Goggins’ Take:
"It’s not about running. It’s about callousing your mind."
10. His Own Training – The Hardest of All
Goggins’ daily training is harder than most races. He runs miles in the morning, lifts, cycles, and swims—all before breakfast.
Final Thought:
"You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when you’re done."
And Goggins is never done.
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