Mike Brooks, 58, got off to a good start in a race through Death Valley on Monday. The retired Auburn firefighter is running the 135-mile Kiehl’s Badwater Ultramarathon to raise money for Camp Sunshine.

Time it took him to reach Furnace Creek, the mile 17 checkpoint: 3:56:00.

Race start time: 8 a.m. Pacific

Daytime high, according to the National Weather Service: 119 degrees

Nighttime forecast: low 80s

Brooks’ intentions for the next checkpoint, at mile 42: take advantage of a hotel swimming pool slightly off the course, jump in fully clothed and keep on running.

-Kathryn Skelton