Why would anyone run the equivalent of more than 5 back-to-back marathons through the hottest place on earth in July?
Dr. Ian Parker, Professor of Neurobiology and Behavior in the School of Biological Sciences, would say for a good challenge and a great cause.
Dr. Parker will once again compete in the 2005 Kiehl's Badwater Ultramarathon in memory of Dr. Barbara K. Burgess. Not only a test of his personal physical fitness, Dr. Parker, who completed the 2002, 2003, and 2004 Badwater Ultramarathons is using this legendary race to challenge others to raise funds for the Barbara K. Burgess Memorial Fund. The Burgess fund honors the life and work of his colleague and provides valuable funding to a post-doc each year.
Considered one of the toughest races in the world, the Kiehl's Badwater Ultramarathon covers three mountain ranges, begins in Death Valley and runs 135 miles to Mt. Whitney (and remember, this is in July)! With temperatures ranging from highs around 125 ° F to lows of 35 ° F and elevations ranging from 282 feet below to 8360 feet above sea level, the race must be completed in 60 hours and the use of an IV drip means immediate disqualification.
Dr. Parker finished the 2004 Badwater Marathon in an amazing 47 hours 50 minutes 46 seconds beating his 2003 record.
With the easy job of supporting a worthwhile cause, friends and colleagues of both Dr. Parker and Dr. Burgess have begun to pledge to the Barbara K. Burgess Memorial Fund.
We welcome contributions of any amount and there are some creative ways to pledge beyond the traditional flat rate including $1.00 for each degree by which the Death Valley temperature exceeds 100 ° F on race day or $1.00 per mile (which is especially motivating for Dr. Parker)!
If you're willing to meet this challenge and make a pledge to the Barbara K. Burgess Memorial Fund, please send checks to:
Credit card donations to the Barbara K. Burgess Memorial Fund can be submitted on our secure e-giving website.
Click on the e-giving symbol and then click Credit Card
To make your credit card donation please follow the steps below.
Step 1: Select "Biological Sciences, School of"
Step 2: Fill out the forms as requested
Step 3: Fill out the forms as requested
Step 4: Fill out the forms as requested
Step 5: Review and make sure all information is correct. Under comments, please type the following: "I would like to designate my gift to the 'Barbara K. Burgess Memorial Fund'". Then, click "Confirm & Submit".
Donations made by check should be mailed to:
Greg Gissendanner
Sr. Director of Development & External Relations
Development Office - 231 RH
School of Biological Sciences
UC Irvine
Irvine, CA 92697-4675
Checks should be made payable to the "UC Regents". In the “memo” section of your check, please indicate that you would like your gift designated to the Barbara K. Burgess Memorial Fund.
If you have additional questions or concerns regarding your gift, please email Greg Gissendanner at ggissend@uci.edu or call (949) 824-2985.
Why would anyone run the equivalent of more than 5 back-to-back marathons through the hottest place on earth in July? 
