The 16 Hour Lock-in
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The 16 Hour Lock-In : Carolina Beach State Park
The event is a 16 hour continuous endurance event presented by Punk Rock Ultras at Carolina Beach State Park, 1010 State Park Road, Carolina Beach, NC. Participants run a 4.5 mile loop and may complete that loop as many times as they wish. The race is operated as a no DNF format, allowing athletes with different goals and paces to compete in the same event.
The course runs through a coastal maritime forest with groomed, wide and relatively flat trails. Each loop contains two hills of about 100 feet of climb, and surfaces include dirt, sand, pine straw, roots, and a short section of road with grass available beside it. Each lap returns to the start/finish area, where personal gear, bathrooms, and the aid station are accessible. A sheltered drop bag area is provided for participants without a 10x10 camp spot.
The aid station supplies water, Tailwind, and a variety of salty, sweet and savory snacks, plus two hot meals provided at lunch and dinner. The race aims to offer vegan and gluten free options when requested in advance. This is a cup free event; participants must use refillable hydration vessels. Headlamps or equivalent lighting are required for anyone running after 5:30 pm. The state park gate closes at 7 pm; anyone remaining inside after that time must be a registered camper or arrange pickup outside the park entrance.
Camping options include a limited group campsite at the race start area with 30 spots available to early purchasers of the camping upgrade. These group sites provide a 10 by 10 personal area adjacent to the course, an overnight pass for a vehicle, primitive facilities with pit latrines, and no water or power. The family campground is located less than one mile from the course and can be reserved separately; it offers RV, tent, and cabin options. A waitlist is maintained for group campsites.
Finisher recognition includes a punk rock patch and recognized distance patches for standard race distances; 100 mile finishers receive a buckle. All participants receive an event shirt, and top finishers by miles covered are acknowledged in Male, Female, and Non-Binary divisions. Volunteer roles are available; typical volunteer benefits listed include a shirt, priority registration for the following year, and credit toward the event series club. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
