Badwater Cape Fear
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Badwater Cape Fear : Bald Head Island, NC (March 21, 2026)
Badwater Cape Fear takes place on Bald Head Island, North Carolina on March 21, 2026. The event offers two distance options:
- 50 km (listed as a 32-mile route)
- 51.4 miles
The start line is at the foot of the Old Baldy Lighthouse. Bald Head Island is reachable only by passenger ferry or private boat; motorized vehicles are not allowed on the island. There are no hotels on the island; lodging consists of vacation homes and cottages. The event supports the Bald Head Island Conservancy as its official charity.
Course, support, and rules
Both distances begin with a twelve-mile stretch on the island’s car-free roads and maritime forest trails, then continue with beach running between Cape Fear and Fort Fisher. The 50 km course includes one round-trip on East Beach; the 51.4-mile course includes two round-trips. Time limits: the 50 km has a nine-hour cut-off; the 51.4-mile has a 14-hour cut-off with an intermediate mandatory cut-off at mile 32 of eight hours. Runners who reach mile 32 in more than eight but less than nine hours may be reclassified as 50 km finishers.
Aid is provided at three checkpoint locations (passed six times for the 50 km and ten times for the 51.4-mile). Key aid details: Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
- AS1 Bald Head Island Conservancy: miles 3, 4, 12, 32, 51 : toilets and access to personal drop bags.
- AS2 mid-beach: miles 18, 26, 37, 46 : no toilets.
- AS3 Fort Fisher Ranger Station: miles 22, 42 : toilets. Aid stations offer water, electrolyte drink (Tailwind), gels, electrolyte capsules, bars, fruit, snacks, and basic supplies; finish line food includes soup and pizza. Race rules require visible race numbers, self-progression under one’s own power, and adherence to checkpoint procedures.