To celebrate Badwater HQ Week here in Lone Pine, we’d be remiss not to shout out the mayor himself—Dr. “Badwater Ben” Jones.
Dr. Ben “Badwater” Jones moved to the Eastern Sierra decades ago and became a fixture of the Lone Pine community—as a physician, pilot, and ambassador of toughness. After a fitful mid-career slump, he discovered long-distance running and never looked back.
House Calls to Ultramarathons
Jones delivered babies, performed autopsies, and made house calls—sometimes flying his Cessna into Death Valley to reach patients. Inspired by running greats like Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorter, he took on his first long-distance run near Lone Pine and ultimately completed 133 marathons and 60 ultramarathons around the world.
The Badwater Connection
He earned the nickname “Badwater Ben” by completing the Badwater three times. This brutal 135-mile footrace starts 282 feet below sea level in Death Valley and ends at Mount Whitney Portal, climbing over 14,000 feet in elevation. Locals dubbed him the “Mayor of Badwater,” a title he wore with both grit and humor. His advice to new runners? “Pull off the road when you’re tired, take a nap.”
Wisdom from a Local Legend
Jones’s philosophy on health and life is grounded in simplicity and experience. He believed in exercising before making excuses, scheduling races to stay motivated, and taking care of his feet with soft soles and orthotics. He also swore by fresh air, variety in diet, and listening to your body instead of overmedicating: “I never took an aspirin… If you are in pain, something’s wrong. Exercise shouldn’t hurt.”
An Absolute Legend
“Badwater” Ben Jones isn’t just an ultrarunning legend—he’s a symbol of Eastern Sierra resilience, toughness, and community. His message is simple: get outside, move your body, breathe the air, and don’t forget to laugh along the way.
In recent months, the Eastern Sierra community learned that Dr. Jones had entered comfort care at Lone Pine Hospital. You can support Ben and Family vis this GoFundMe link.
