Jon Rice has undertaken a unique challenge where he dresses up as the iconic Disney villain, Darth Vader, and runs a mile through Death Valley. This challenge, known as the ‘Darth Valley’ challenge, includes running through a route that passes by several filming locations.
Despite the extreme heat of Death Valley, with warning signs warning people not to visit, Jon takes on this challenge on the hottest day of the year. This impressive feat showcases Jon’s determination and resilience.
This year, the temperature in the area known as the ‘hottest place on Earth’ reached a staggering 128 degrees Fahrenheit due to a combination of climate change and a severe heatwave.
Despite even higher temperatures in the past, Rice successfully completed the yearly event while dressed in full Darth gear. However, Jon, who is originally from the UK, warns that completing the Darth Valley challenge will require more than just the Force.
On his blog, a devoted Star Wars fan has labeled running in Death Valley as a “ridiculously perilous undertaking”. Having been running in that location for over 13 years, he is well aware of the warning signs of heat stroke and other hazardous ailments.
When asked for advice by Insider on how to take on this challenge, he simply advised against it, stating that it is exceptionally risky and the human body is not equipped to handle it. To prepare for the feat, Jon trains intensively by sweating it out in saunas and completing three marathons.
Running in Darth’s iconic costume during a short course is a difficult feat, as admitted by the runner. Despite the fun of it, sprinting for a mile in the heat is utterly challenging, with breathing being especially hard.
Even with new air holes, the mask makes it almost impossible to get any air inside, especially when wearing a balaclava underneath. The intense temperatures within the mask, estimated at around 180 degrees Fahrenheit, make the run even more demanding. Breathing in mostly CO2 during the last half-mile adds to the difficulty. Nevertheless, the runner, aged 52, enjoys the challenge because of the reactions of people in their air-conditioned cars passing by.
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The avid runner admits to enjoying a challenge and previously finished the mile-long course in six minutes and 13 seconds. It seems like this super-fan is running at lightspeed!
