How's this for a summer vacation: run 135 miles non-stop across Death Valley, Calif., beginning at the lowest elevation in North America and running across three mountain ranges in 130-degree temperatures?

Jeff Gleason of Cranberry Township is taking such an excursion.

Why?

Not because it's there.

Because the challenge is there.

"It's all about challenging yourself," Gleason said. "When you stop challenging yourself, life kind of gets boring."

Gleason, 51, will be one of 90 runners representing 17 countries who will compete in the Badwater 135 UltraMarathon July 13 to 15. More than 1,000 runners applied for a spot in this race.

"You have to be one of the top ultrarunners in the world to get into this race," Gleason said. "The selections are based on how many ultramarathons you've run and how you have finished."

Gleason has been a runner since his junior year in college at Texas A&M. He's competed in about 10 marathons and 33 ultramarathons during his lifetime.

One of 23 over-50 runners accepted for this year's Badwater 135, Gleason has finished first in his age group five times.

"I ran seven ultras last year, hoping to qualify for this race," he said.

Gleason ran four 100-mile ultras, two 50-mile races and one 50K event.

Last fall, he finished fifth overall and first in his age group at the Mother Road UltraMarathon in Oklahoma. Last month, he was first in his age group and 12th overall at the Umstead 100 in Raleigh, N.C.

Gleason has never run in a 135-mile race. The Badwater 135 is considered the world's toughest foot race.

Runners in the Badwater 135 must bring a crew to monitor their progress during the race. Gleason is bringing a crew of six who will ride in two minivans along the course to check on him.

"They'll meet me at varying points along the route, give me fluids, something to eat when I'm hungry," Gleason said. "Basically, they're there to make sure I don't become vulture food.

"Everyone on my crew is an ultrarunner in his or her own right, including my wife. I'm counting on their expertise to help me through this as well."

Lou D'Angelo of Hampton Township, a longtime runner and a friend of Gleason, will serve as his crew chief.

"Jeff has the tenacity and ability to take on a big challenge like this," D'Angelo said. "He's not going to give up.

"Over the past two years, his 100-mile time has dropped from 24 hours to 17 hours. That's how hard he works at this."

The men's record finishing time for the Badwater 135 is 22 hours, 51 minutes and 29 seconds was set by Valmir Nunez of Brazil in 2007. The women's record is 26:51.33 was set by Jamie Rutkoski Donaldson of Littleton, Colo., last year.

Donaldson is a 1992 Freeport graduate.

The average time runners take to complete the course is 48 hours. The time limit is 60 hours. No prize money is given, but each runner who finishes in less than 48 hours receives a prestigious Badwater belt buckle.

"This isn't a race of speed, so you don't train that way," Gleason said. "It's an endurance race. We'll go on 30-mile runs Saturday and Sunday during training for a 100-mile race.

"It usually takes eight weeks for your legs to recover after a race like this."

Gleason said that physical fatigue in the legs usually doesn't stop ultramarathoners.

"It's the blisters and injuries that get you," he said. "It takes a lot of will to push yourself."

Gleason is vice president of ThermoFisher Scientific in Pittsburgh and his company is funding the trip to Death Valley for him and his crew.

Gleason also is running to raise money for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, a charity for disabled veterans.

"My goal is to raise more than $5,000," he said.

His goal also is to finish the race.

"This is my biggest challenge yet in terms of running, so I'll adjust as I go," he said. "I've run in heat before, but nothing close to running across a desert.

"The satisfaction is in pushing yourself. I was thrilled when I completed my first 50-mile race, my first 100-mile run. Push your body and extend its limits. That's what this is about."

D'Angelo agreed.

"Jeff would probably try this himself if he was allowed," he said. "He's bringing a crew because it's in the rules. He's one of the most determined people I know.

"He can't wait for this."