Support Badwater Ben and Denise Jones

Helping a friend in need … Timeless words … Our friends in need are, in some minds, legendary: Doctor Ben Jones and his wife Denise, also known as Badwater Ben or The Mayor of Badwater, and the Blister Queen or First Lady. Dave Thorpe, Lisa Smith-Batchen, and Marshall Ulrich here to let you know:

Most people think that all doctors are rich. They are not. Ben and Denise need our help, and our hope is that you will generously assist them as Ben transitions to requiring end of life homecare from Denise.

Ben is a 92-year-old guy that has spent his life serving others. After earning his medical degree he moved to a rural Lone Pine, California (population 1,300) to deliver babies, heal illness, treat wounds, and restore hope to a place only known as a gateway to the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states, Mount Whitney (14,505 feet). For 50 years he traveled to mothers whose children were sick, to closing the eyes of those whose life had been claimed by God. Too often he had to perform autopsies on the departed, including friends from town or from the ultrarunning community. Ben asked for little and was appreciated by a grateful town that named the local clinic after him.

At 79, Denise is a compassionate and hardworking hairdresser that has helped their family make ends meet with her skill and experience to make her clients look and feel beautiful and handsome. Denise has been Ben’s at home caregiver intensively since 2022, as well as through several previous health challenges including bouts of severe depression, in part brought on by Ben’s stoicism, as was the way, repressing feelings of tragic loss brought literally to his fingertips in performing those autopsies. Her quiet grace in taking on each new challenge has been an inspiration.

To some, Badwater is an inconsequential spec in Death Valley, mostly known for it being the lowest elevation in America (282 feet below sea-level) and the hottest place on earth. But to Ben and Densie, Badwater holds an importance beyond any geographic location. It is, in many ways, their identity. Their love and passion. So much more than a stage for a race, the value of the places and people, and witnessing the strength of the human spirit, in part explains why they have dedicated so much to the ideal of Badwater.

Ben and Denise played an absolutely pivotal role in the growth and development of the Badwater race throughout the 1990s and 2000s, and supported Chris Kostman in taking over the event as Race Director in 1999 and then ever since. Chris says, “There are not enough words to describe their impact on the event, nor my deep personal appreciation for them.” Chris inducted them into the Badwater Hall of Fame in 2007.

Both Denise and Ben are accomplished athletes, having made the grueling trek from Badwater to Mt Whitney (146 miles) multiple times. More importantly…they encouraged others to step out of their comfort zone and then cared for them in their unique ways in the misery that is part of spectacular Death Valley.

Ben has been the documentarian and keeper of stories, always taking and sharing photos and ensuring the magic of the desert, the race, and the mountain are respected and remembered. They crewed, paced, and supported numerous race participants, as well as countless others creating adventures on the race course and in Death Valley. Often they opened their home as a place to stay, or grab a quick shower, or enjoy a meal and fellowship. They also organized training clinics to help athletes prepare for the race where they got to know the runners, crew members, pacers, family members, as well as some interesting newbies and wannabes. Ben said, “It made it much more interesting and fun when the race finally happened each year.”

Denise developed a talent for treating feet ravaged by the incessant heat and friction of those traversing the 120-degree desert floor. She couldn’t begin to count the number of feet she lovingly taped before the race, nor the number of blisters she treated for those that may have forgone preventive care. In many ways, every runner that steps on the road from Badwater to Whitney stands on the shoulders of people like Ben and Denise that showed the way and shared more than their knowledge.

Due to circumstances beyond their control they are overwhelmed taking care of themselves and neither is able to work. If you are able to donate to their well-being, please join us in doing so. No donation is too small.

Thank you for your generous support of these selfless people in their time of need.

Share Your Stories . Memories . Love and Light

We would LOVE to hear your Ben and Denise Jones stories. Please leave a comment or feel free send YOUR stories sharing your memories and love and light to heather at marshallulrich dot com. We will share everything with Ben and Denise. Why wait for a eulogy to tell someone how much they’ve meant?

Love for Ben and Denise

Here are just some of the tributes to Ben and Denise by people from all across America, Australia, Poland, the U.K., Germany, Italy, and beyond. Most are Badwater runners that have met them, some are patients or Lone Pine citizens, and some haven’t even met them but know that they are legends and inspirations to us all.

The true legend. No other person can claim the Badwater (Ben) name. Not even close.

Special prayers for a very special doctor and friend to all of us. He would do anything for any of us ...the fastest and the slowest.

The definition of love! Incredible friends and mentors, and inspirations to all of us.

They watch over me and many others. Badwater enjoys its deep-seated international legacy because of them. Ben’s passion and purpose is everything and everyone Badwater, Lone Pine, and Mount Whitney.

You've been my good friend and mentor for 25 years.

Badwater Ben has always been dedicated to the race and the people. He’s truly the best thing that ever happened to promote the race. Just a remarkable man. Down to earth, with more friends than I can count.

Ben and Denise, you've been such an important part of my life, and for that, I'll always be grateful. Thank you.

Thank you for everything you have done in my life; you saved me. Thank you so much for all the photography you have done and shared with everyone.

He's one of the sweetest and most genuine men I've known

Dr. Ben, what a Gentleman. He made some big footprints!!

Gratitude to Ben for welcoming me into the Badwater family years ago. You were an important influence on my many trips to Death Valley and Lone Pine.

What an honor to have met you with your encouragement, warmth, and kindness in Lone Pine.

Fondly remembering Badwater Ben and Denise and their contributions to Badwater family.

Thank you, Ben, for inspiring all of us to reach for things that many think is impossible.

Sending gratitude for the endless love they have shown us all….what an incredibly wonderful plethora of gifts you both have bestowed on all of us.

A huge figure in the Badwater community!

A lovely guy. Very supportive and the number one Badwater expert.

What a full and beautiful life and what a gift he has been to the Badwater community and the community at large.

He’s synonymous with the Badwater name.

We hope the love of the entire Badwater family embrace them as they travel this road.

So much history, so many memories.

Always an inspiration to see Ben and Denise!

Dr. Ben is one of the sweetest, caring, and most intelligent man I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Difficult to express the admiration and respect I have for Ben, a long time mentor and friend. Always gracious, always welcoming, always present with a sense of humor and self-deprecation. A proud, intelligent, fiercely tough individual to whom we can all aspire. "Legend" isn't a strong enough label.

Ben, you are truly loved by everyone. Thank you for your friendship and encouragement throughout the years. You’ve had a remarkable life and shared and given so much to so many.

I hope to run 135 someday. Thank you for making it possible.

Never met him but his legend is out there. After we became FB friends he commented on pictures of my son and always congratulated me on races!

Glad to have the opportunity to let Ben and Denise know how much we appreciate, care for and love them. They are always supportive, through the highs and lows. Ben is an icon, and not just for all that he has accomplished and his passion for all things Badwater, but for his genuine dedication to encouraging others to seek adventure, see the beauty of the desert and mountains, and to care for those you love.

Ben you are such an inspiration to all! I'm so glad I’ve had the great privilege of getting to know you.

Ben was always so welcoming to me and was great at staying in contact. He was a wealth of information and so involved in the race, always showing interest in all the athletes and their lives and journeys. He has lived such an interesting life and has been such a consistent and important figure in the Badwater family. Thanks for everything you have done for all of us, Ben!

Such a legend in the sport and Ultra running community.

A running legend, humble talented. He was my folks doctor, and I am lucky to be his friend.

Dr. Jones is one of the most wonderful doctors I’ve ever gone to. In 1970 he delivered my precious son. I will never forget the love and kindness this doctor gave to all his patients. This man made a big difference to so many lives.

Thank you, Dr. Ben for everything you did for all of us individually. It can’t be repaid or replaced. I will forever be grateful that you were able to comfort me after I was rescued off Mount Whitney. Thank you both for everything you’ve done for all of us.

The first time I heard of the Badwater – the race – Ben Jones – the man – came up. He is an icon and will ALWAYS be linked to the iconic race and to ultrarunning. Talk about legacy.

I’m so glad I got to meet Ben. He’s a true legend…loved and respected by all of the runners I respect the most.

The absolute legend of Badwater. Ben’s story was the catalyst for my being inspired to visit Death Vally and ultimately train and run the race. Lifetime highlights were meeting and chatting to Denise and Ben.

You changed my life to the good in ways that you will never know. Thank you for what you have given to us all.

Visiting with Ben is a staple of every Badwater experience. The trip isn’t complete unless I get to chat with or to share a meal with him. He’s influenced so many people. I’m honored to call him my friend.

It was such an honor to meet him!

One of the greatest couples around!!!

Ben, you're a true pioneer!

The man, the legend!

Such a great and wonderful man.

Such a kind and interesting man.

A gentle giant of a human being.

A very special man, Ben.

You've enriched all of our lives.

True Legend! Respect.

So adorable.

A lovely man.

He is a treasure.

Huge part of the Badwater family.

You still give me strength.

What a great man.

True legends and wonderful people.

Still remember following you along the way.

And simply:

We Love you Ben and Denise.