Donaldson Will Not Defend 3-Time Badwater Title

Littleton, CO May 21, 2011

Elite Ultrarunner Jamie Donaldson and Drymax Sports, LLC announced today that the women's three time defending Badwater 135 Ultramarathon Champion and record holder has decided a fourth title will not be in the cards for 2011

After careful consideration Donaldson made the decision due to personal and professional conflicts that would prohibit her from putting in the miles and hours needed to make a competitive repeat performance at the epic event that begins below sea level and travels through Death Valley to 135 miles to Mount Whitney Portals during the scorching heat of July.

About the announcement, Jamie stated, "Training 200 miles per week to run on such a challenging course takes full focus and 100% commitment, I cannot give this amazing race the attention it deserves at this time to achieve the result I desire."

Bob MacGillivray of Drymax, Donaldson's primary sponsor added, "We are so proud of Jamie, she has been our greatest supporter over the last few years and we agree with her decision completely to take a break from what most consider the toughest road race in the world." Bob added, "Nobody is tougher than Jamie and nobody is more thoughtful, we look forward to supporting her in all of her endeavors both on the course and off for a long, long time."

Donaldson concluded, "Everyone who competes and crews at Badwater are family and I am grateful for all of the support I continually receive from this family... I fully intend to compete in other great races this year and one day possibly make my return to Badwater, just not this summer."

About Jamie Donaldson

Jamie Donaldson, of Littleton, CO, a sixth grade math teacher and running coach and is considered to be one of the top utra runners in the world. She not only holds the women's course record at Badwater with an amazing 26:12:12 she holds the top three women's times of the event's history. In addition, Jamie holds the USATF record for 200,000 meters and in 2010 ran 100 miles in 14:58:23. A documentary chronicling her 2010 Badwater victory will air in Britain on BBC this summer then on TLC in the USA.

Direct Inquiries To Bob MacGillivray bob@drymaxsports.com

Photo By Bob MacGillivray