First runners reach the finish in the annual Death Valley ultramarathon called the world's toughest

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — The first few runners of an ultramarathon that steps off in desolate Death Valley hit the finish line early Wednesday, a little more than 24 hours after they began this year's Badwater 135, billed as the world's toughest foot race.

Ninety-seven runners launched the 48-hour race on Monday night, most of them starting with a light jog during a rainstorm that partially obscured the light of a nearly full moon.

The men and women ranging in age from 19 to 69 and hailing from 21 countries and 26 U.S. states were running amid daytime temperatures as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.8 Celsius) and night heat above 100 F (37.7 C). They ran over roadways open to traffic and passed through places with names like Furnace Creek, Devil's Golf Course and Devil's Cornfield.

“For me it's all about seeing what I can do, you know, testing my own limits, seeing how well I can do these extreme things,” said 46-year-old runner Jessica Jones from Dauphin Island, Alabama, who was running her second Badwater 135, which starts in the valley's Badwater basin.

Luke Thomas, 44, from San Diego, was running his fourth 135-mile (217-kilometer) ultramarathon this calendar year.

Thomas didn't know if the humidity from the late Monday storm would make the first part of the race harder or easier. While running an ultramarathon race in Brazil in January, “the humidity almost killed me,” he said.

Results available online Wednesday morning showed that this year 37-year-old Shaun Burke, of Durango, Colorado finished first in the men’s division at 23 hours, 29 minutes and 0 seconds, and 52-year-old Line Caliskaner, of Lorenskog, Norway, led the women’s division, at 27 hours, 36 minutes and 27 seconds.

The fastest record for the race was set by 31-year-old Yoshihiko Ishikawa at 21 hours, 33 minutes and 1 second for the men’s division in 2019, and 41-year-old Ashley Paulson at 21 hours, 44 minutes and 35 seconds in the women’s division in 2023.

The race, which started in 1987, always takes place in mid-July, when temperatures peak in Death Valley National Park. The park has seen record-setting temperatures this month, including nine straight days of 125 F (51.6 C) or above.

It is so dangerous that a motorcyclist traveling in the park died from heat-related illness on July 6, and several more in his group fell ill. A woman with heat illness was rescued in the park on Thursday after she and a man got lost on a hike in an area called Badlands Loop as temperatures hit around 110 F (43.3 C) at 9:30 a.m.

No runner has died during the race, but a few people have landed in the hospital, said race director Chris Kostman, of AdventureCORPS, which organizes the race. The route actually dates back to a decade earlier when it was successfully completed by a solo runner, he said.

Participants start at the lowest point in North America at 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level. The finish line is 8,300 feet (2,530 meters) high at the Whitney Portal, the trailhead to California's Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous U.S.

Unlike more traditional marathons in which runners race close together, participants in the Badwater 135 are well spaced out on the road. The race is invitation only and limited to 100 runners who have run ultramarathons of at least 100 miles (160 kilometers) or longer over the span of three years. Only one-third of the runners each year can be repeat participants to allow others a chance.

When this year's runners set out late Monday, temperatures were around 108 F (42.2 C). Their northbound path was illuminated by headlamps and the slightly obscured moonlight.

Organizers do not provide support along the course, which means each runner must bring a personal support team, usually three to four people in a minivan. There are no medical stations along the route, but Kostman said there is a small medical team that patrols the roadway.

The race is held from late Monday through Wednesday to avoid weekend visitors to the national park and increased traffic of people driving through the area from Las Vegas. Organizers coordinate with various federal, state and local government agencies, some of which must provide permits all along the route.

Kostman said the runners, support team members and race employees all consider themselves part of a family, often coming back to the park for family vacations.

“There’s a very collegial feel about it," he said. “Everybody wants the other runners to do as best as they can.”

Snow reported from Phoenix.

Runners line up for a photo at Badwater Basin, the lowest elevation point in North America, during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, Calif., Monday, July 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

The self proclaimed "Death Valley cheerleaders" cheer and spray water at runner Caryn Lubetsky, from Miami Shores, Fla., on California Route 190 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, Calif., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Chad Wolf from Cincinnati, is sprayed down to deal with the heat on Route 66 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, Calif., Monday, July 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

A crew member looks after a runners feet in alongside California Route 190 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, Calif., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Ivan Penalba Lopez, left, from Spain, and his pacer run as the sun rises during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, Calif., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Bobby Andrews, from Port Orchard, Wash., starts on another uphill section on California Route 190 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, Calif., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

A runner races with a headlamp and a safety vest under a moon light sky during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, Calif., Monday, July 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

A runner gives a thumbs up as he is weighed in at the start of the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon at Death Valley, Calif., Monday, July 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Runners start uphill at sunrise on California Route 190 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, Calif., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Karla Kent stretches during a brief pause along California Route 190 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, Calif., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

A runner passes by a sign warning traffic of the race on Route 66 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, Calif., Monday, July 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

This long exposure image shows the path of runners and their support vehicles under a moon light sky on California Route 190 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, Calif., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

A runner and their pacer run as the sun rises behind them on California Route 190 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, Calif., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — Algerians voted Saturday in an election to decide whether army-backed President Abdelmadjid Tebboune gets another term in office — five years after pro-democracy protests prompted the military to oust the previous president after two decades in power.

Since Algeria announced the election date earlier this year, there has been little suspense about the result.

Though he is expected to be named the winner once the results are finalized, Tebboune said after voting that he hoped “whoever wins will continue on the path towards a point of no return in the construction of democracy.”

With vote counting underway Saturday evening after polls closed, the question is less about who will win and more about how many voters stayed home.

Tebboune's backers and challengers all urged voters to come out to cast their ballots after boycotts and high abstention rates in previous elections marred the government's ability to claim popular support.

But throughout the day, many polling places in Algiers were mostly empty, apart from scores of police officers manning their posts.

Polling places were kept open until 9 p.m. on Saturday after officials extended the voting period to accommodate concerns that people may not have voted during the day in certain parts of the country due to the heat. As of 5 p.m., voter turnout was 26.5% in Algeria and 18.3% for precincts abroad.

Preliminary results are expected late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.

Algeria is Africa's largest country by area and, with almost 45 million people, it's the continent's second most populous after South Africa to hold presidential elections in 2024 — a year in which more than 50 elections are being held worldwide, encompassing more than half the world's population.

The campaign — rescheduled earlier this year to take place during North Africa's hot summer — was characterized by apathy from the population, which continues to be plagued by high costs of living and drought that brought water shortages to some parts of the country.

“Uncle Tebboune," as his campaign framed the 78-year-old, was elected in December 2019 after nearly a year of weekly “Hirak” demonstrations demanding the resignation of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Their demands were met when Bouteflika resigned and was replaced by an interim government of his former allies, which called for elections later in the year.

Protestors opposed holding elections too soon, fearing candidates running that year each were close to the old regime and would derail dreams of a civilian-led, non-military state. Tebboune, a former prime minister seen as close to the military, won. But his victory was stained by boycotts and Election Day tumult, during which crowds sacked voting stations and police broke up demonstrations.

Throughout his tenure, Tebboune has used oil and gas revenue to boost some social benefits — including unemployment insurance as well as public wages and pensions — to calm discontent. To cement his legitimacy, Tebboune hopes more of the country's 24 million eligible voters participate in Saturday's election than in his first, when only 39.9% voted.

Many of the last election's boycotters remain unconvinced about elections ushering in change.

Activists and international organizations, including Amnesty International, have railed against how authorities continue prosecuting those involved in opposition parties, media organizations and civil society groups.

Some have denounced this election as a rubber stamp exercise that can only entrench the status quo.

“Algerians don’t give a damn about this bogus election,” said former Hirak leader Hakim Addad, who was banned from participating in politics three years ago. “The political crisis will persist as long as the regime remains in place. The Hirak has spoken.”

Twenty-six candidates submitted preliminary paperwork to run in the election, although only two were ultimately approved to challenge Tebboune.

Neither political novices, they avoided directly criticizing Tebboune on the campaign trail and, like the incumbent, emphasized participation.

Abdelali Hassani Cherif, a 57-year-old head of the Islamist party Movement of Society for Peace (MSP) made populist appeals to Algerian youth, running on the slogan “Opportunity!” Youcef Aouchiche, a 41-year-old former journalist running with the Socialist Forces Front (FFS), campaigned on a “vision for tomorrow.”

Both challengers and their parties risked losing backing from would-be supporters who thought they were selling out by contributing to the idea that the election was democratic and contested.

Walking near a vote center in downtown Algiers, longtime FFS supporter Mhand Kasdi said his party had betrayed its ideals by putting forth a candidate for the first time since 1999.

“It is giving its backing to a rigged election,” the 55-year-old gas station manager said, adding that Aouchiche and Hassani “are going to help make the regime's candidate look good."

Voting in his hometown Saturday, Aouchiche called on Algerians to vote for him “to give young people the confidence to put an end to the despair that drives them to take the boats of death in an attempt to reach the other side of the Mediterranean,” referencing many who elect to migrate to Europe in search of opportunity rather than remain at home.

Andrew Farrand, the Middle East and North Africa director at the geopolitical risk consultancy Horizon Engage, said both challengers were more aimed at the 2025 legislative elections than the 2024 presidential contest. Because Algerian law funds political parties based on the number of seats they win in legislative elections, they hope campaigning positions them for a strong 2025 performance.

“It’s a long game: How can I mobilize my base? How can I build up a campaign machine? And how can I get into the good graces of the authorities so that I can be in a position to increase my seats?” he said. “We’ve seen that in their choice not to overtly criticize president … paired with a very strong message to Algerians to come out and vote.”

Presidential candidate of the Movement of Society for Peace (MSP), Abdelali Hassani Cherif, prepares to cast his ballot inside a polling station during the presidential election, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum)

Presidential candidate of the Movement of Society for Peace (MSP), Abdelali Hassani Cherif, prepares to cast his ballot inside a polling station during the presidential election, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum)

Presidential candidate and leader of the FFS party, Youcef Aouchich, casts his ballot inside a polling station during the presidential elections, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Tizi Ouzou, Algeria. (AP Photo)

Algerian president and candidate for re-election Abdelmajid Tebboune speaks after casting his ballot inside a polling station during the presidential elections, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. (AP Photo)

Election officials wait for voters inside a polling station during the presidential election, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum)

A voter prepares to cast his ballot inside a polling station during the presidential election, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum)

A voter prepares to cast her ballot inside a polling station during the presidential elections, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum)

A voter prepares to cast his ballot inside a polling station during the presidential election, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum)

Ballots showing presidential candidates inside a polling station during the presidential election, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum)

A ballot showing Algerian president and candidate for re-election Abdelmajid Tebboune, inside a polling station during the presidential election, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum)

Ballots showing the three presidential candidates are placed on a table inside a polling station during the presidential election, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul)

A voter prepares to cast her ballot inside a polling station during the presidential elections, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum)

Election officials wait for voters inside a polling station during the presidential election, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum)

A voter poses for a photo with her inked finger after casting her ballot inside a polling station during the presidential elections, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum)

CORRECTS DATE - A voter prepares to cast his ballot inside a polling station during the presidential election, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum)

A man walks past electoral banners of presidential candidate, including President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, center, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum)

Algerian president and candidate for re-election Abdelmajid Tebboune delivers a speech during his campaign for the upcoming presidential election, in Oran, Algeria, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Str)