Badwater Cape Fear
Southport, United States • 20 Mar 2027
BADWATER CAPE FEAR : Bald Head Island, NC, March 21, 2026
Badwater Cape Fear is an ultrarunning event on Bald Head Island, North Carolina, held on March 21, 2026. The race begins with a twelve mile section on car free island roads and maritime forest trails, then continues along East Beach between Cape Fear and Fort Fisher.
Distances
- 50 km route includes 12 miles on roads and one out and back on East Beach.
- 51.4 miles route includes 12 miles on roads and two out and backs on East Beach.
The course runs along the Atlantic seaboard with views of Frying Pan Shoals to the east and Cape Fear River marshlands to the west. Aid is provided at three locations that participants pass multiple times; supplies include water, Tailwind endurance drink, gels, electrolytes, bars, fruit, and basic supplies. Toilets are available at the Bald Head Island Conservancy aid station and at Fort Fisher Ranger Station. Personal drop bags are available at Aid Station 1 at the Bald Head Island Conservancy and are accessible when that station is passed.
Time limits are nine hours for the 50 km and fourteen hours for the 51.4 mile race, with a mandatory intermediate cut off at mile 32 after eight hours. Bald Head Island is reachable only by passenger ferry, motorized vehicles are not allowed on the island, and accommodations are primarily vacation homes rather than hotels. Entry for March 21, 2026 is closed. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.