Cape Fear Marathon
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Cape Fear Marathon & Half : Bald Head Island, NC
The Cape Fear Marathon & Half is the second edition of a road and beach race hosted by Badwater and presented by Mount to Coast on Bald Head Island, North Carolina. The event offers two distances:
- 26.2 miles
- 13.1 miles
Both courses run entirely on Bald Head Island. Routes use the island's car-free, one-lane roads and include a beach stretch around Cape Fear. The start line is at Old Baldy lighthouse and the finish is near the marina end of the wooden bridge behind Jules Salty Grub. The half marathon consists of one and a half laps of the island with a 0.75-mile sand section. The full marathon is three laps and three beach circuits, totaling about 2.2 miles of beach running and roughly 24 miles on golf cart roads.
There are three aid station locations along the course. Aid stations provide water, endurance drink, gels, bars, fruit, salty snacks, and basic supplies; ibuprofen is not provided. This is a cupless race so runners must carry the Badwater race cup; carrying personal hydration (hand-held bottle, waist pack, or pack) is recommended. Time limits are four hours for the half and seven hours for the full.
Event logistics note that participants must arrange their own travel and ferry to Bald Head Island. The Bald Head Island Conservancy is a local partner and the event supports its conservation work. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
