New Delhi: Ramratan Jat (32), hailing from Jaijasani village in Merta City tehsil of Nagaur district, Rajasthan, has etched his name among the elite endurance athletes of the world. Competing in the world-renowned Badwater 135 ultramarathon, held between July 7 to 9, 2025, in California’s Death Valley, Ramratan became the second fastest Indian to complete the race, finishing it in 34 hours and 14 minutes.
Among the 102 ultra runners from across the globe, Ramratan secured the 24th position, a momentous achievement in one of the most grueling endurance events on the planet.
Rakesh Kashyap Leads the Indian Contingent
Joining Ramratan in representing India was Rakesh Kashyap from Haryana. Kashyap clocked an impressive 31 hours and 24 minutes, securing the 19th global position, and becoming the fastest Indian finisher in this edition of the race.
A Race Like No Other: Badwater 135
The Badwater 135 is infamous for being one of the toughest foot races in the world. Starting at Death Valley, 85 meters below sea level, and ending at Whitney Portal at 2,530 meters, the course stretches across 135 miles (217 km) in extreme desert heat, often exceeding 50°C (122°F). It tests the limits of human endurance, with participants required to arrange their own support, food, and hydration along the route.
Who is Ramratan Jat? A Farmer’s Son and Record-Holding Navy Officer
Ramratan Jat comes from humble beginnings. Son of farmers Dinaram and Nathi Devi, he was raised in Nagaur district and currently serves as a Chief Petty Officer in the Indian Navy, posted in Mumbai. He joined the Navy on 28 January 2011, and over the years, carved a name for himself in India’s ultra-running scene.
Ramratan holds a Guinness World Record for running from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, demonstrating not just physical stamina, but unmatched mental resilience.
A Trail of Glory: Leh to Manali & La Ultra Races
In June 2024, he became the fastest Indian runner in the Leh to Manali 480 km race, another ultra-endurance event considered among the most difficult in India. His remarkable feat earned him the prestigious McGregor Memorial Medal, awarded by CDS General Anil Chauhan.
Despite the grueling nature of such races – where runners often receive no official support – Ramratan took on the challenge with just one assistant to aid him.
He has also emerged victorious in the La Ultra 222 km and La Ultra 333 km races, held at high altitudes in Ladakh, known for thin oxygen levels and extreme climate. These races are part of a rare category of ultra-marathons globally and are a true test of physical and psychological endurance.
Training Under a Champion
Ramratan trains under Coach Sandeep Kumar of Haryana, a seasoned athlete who has represented India at the 100 km World Championship. His training has evidently paid dividends, as Ramratan continues to break records and push boundaries in the world of ultra-running.
What Makes Badwater 135 the Toughest?
Regarded by many as the “world’s toughest foot race,” Badwater 135 traverses extreme terrain and weather conditions. Participants run through Death Valley, one of the hottest places on Earth, while battling sleep deprivation, muscle fatigue, and heat-induced hallucinations.
To complete it in under 35 hours, as Ramratan did, is a feat of exceptional endurance, requiring mental fortitude, peak physical conditioning, and relentless focus.
In His Words: A Life Achievement
After completing the race, Ramratan called it a “big achievement”, noting that finishing the Death Race was not just about timing, but about mental resilience and preparation.
About Badwater 135
The Badwater 135 is a grueling ultramarathon known as “the world’s toughest foot race”. It’s a 135-mile (217 km) race through Death Valley, California, starting at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, and finishing at Whitney Portal, the trailhead to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States. The race takes place in mid-July when temperatures can reach extreme highs.
