Badwater Cape Fear

MAR
21
2026
Experience a seaside ultramarathon on Bald Head Island, NC on March 21, 2026. Badwater Cape Fear offers 50 km and 51.4 mile routes from Old Baldy Lighthouse with long out and back beach and maritime forest sections for stunning coastal running.
Sat 21 Mar 2026
51 miles 50 kilometers

Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.

Event overview

Badwater Cape Fear is an ultrarunning event on Bald Head Island, North Carolina, scheduled for March 21, 2026. The event offers two distance options:

  • 50 km
  • 51.4 miles

All runners begin together at the foot of Old Baldy Lighthouse. The routes combine a twelve-mile section on car-free island roads and maritime forest trails with long out-and-back sections on East Beach between Cape Fear and Fort Fisher. The 50 km course includes one beach round trip (about 19 miles of beach running); the 51.4-mile course includes two beach round trips (about 38 miles of beach running). Time limits apply: nine hours for the 50 km and 14 hours for the 51.4-mile, with an intermediate cut-off at mile 32.

Course, support and logistics

Aid is provided at three checkpoint locations that are passed multiple times: the start/finish area at Bald Head Island Conservancy (toilets available), a mid-beach aid location (no toilets), and Fort Fisher Ranger Station (toilets available). Aid stations supply water, Tailwind endurance drink, gels, electrolyte capsules, bars, fruit, and basic snacks; ibuprofen is not provided. Personal drop bags are available at the Bald Head Island Conservancy checkpoint.

Bald Head Island is reachable only by passenger ferry or private boat; motorized vehicles are not allowed on the island and most rentals include golf carts. Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable; a 50% rollover credit to next year is available up to 60 days before the race. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

51 mi
51.4-Mile Race
50 km
50km Race

Events nearby