Cape Fear Marathon
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Cape Fear Marathon & Half on Bald Head Island
AdventureCORPS hosts the Cape Fear Marathon & Half, presented by Mount to Coast, on Bald Head Island, North Carolina. The event takes place entirely on the island using its car free, one lane roads and a short stretch of beach around Cape Fear. The start line is at Old Baldy lighthouse and the finish is at the marina end of the wooden bridge that crosses the marsh creek.
Race distances include:
- 26.2 miles, three laps with 2.2 miles of beach and about 24 miles on golf cart roads
- 13.1 miles, one and a half laps with a 0.75 mile sand section around Cape Fear
There are three aid stations positioned near the start/finish, at the Bald Head Island Conservancy, and at the beach entry to round Cape Fear. Aid station supplies include water, Tailwind drink, gels, bars, fruit, electrolyte capsules, Coke, ginger ale, snacks, and basic supplies such as sun block and hand gel. The event is cupless, and entrants receive a collapsible Badwater Race Cup; carrying a personal hydration bottle or pack is strongly encouraged. Time limits are four hours for the half and seven hours for the full.
Entrants receive a tote bag with race swag, and finishers receive a Cape Fear medal. Male and female winners receive a pair of Mount to Coast shoes. Participants are responsible for their own travel and ferry arrangements to Bald Head Island. Registration opens 2026-10-22 and closes 2027-07-31, with the listed fee of $169.00 per entry. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
