Badwater Cape Fear

Event details

Badwater Cape Fear takes place on March 21, 2026 on Bald Head Island, North Carolina. The event offers two distance options:

• 50 km
• 51.4 miles

The race starts at the foot of the Old Baldy Lighthouse and is held along the Atlantic seaboard between Cape Fear and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area.

Course and support

The course begins with a twelve-mile section on car-free, one-lane roads and maritime forest trails on Bald Head Island, then continues with beach out-and-back running along East Beach between Cape Fear and Fort Fisher. The 50 km route includes one beach out-and-back (about 19 miles of beach running); the 51.4-mile route includes two beach out-and-backs (about 38 miles of beach running). Aid is provided at three locations passed multiple times, and Race HQ at Bald Head Island Conservancy serves as an aid station and drop-bag location.

Aid stations supply water, electrolyte drink (Tailwind), energy gels, electrolyte capsules, bars, fruit, salty snacks, pickles and pickle juice, cola and ginger ale, basic medical supplies, and sun protection. Personal drop bags are available at the Bald Head Island Conservancy checkpoint.

Logistics and rules

Bald Head Island is reachable only by passenger ferry; motorized vehicles are not allowed on the island. Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable; a 50% rollover credit for next year is available up to 60 days before the race. The route and permits are subject to approval by local agencies and may change. Time limits: nine hours for the 50 km and 14 hours for the 51.4-mile, with a mandatory intermediate cut-off at mile 32 (eight hours) for the longer distance. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.