Badwater Cape Fear

Event overview

Badwater Cape Fear is an ultra running event on Bald Head Island, North Carolina, scheduled for March 21, 2026. The event offers two distance options:

• 50 km
• 51.4 miles

The start line is at the foot of the Old Baldy Lighthouse. This edition is the twelfth running of the Badwater Cape Fear event.

Course and support

The course begins with about 12 miles on car-free island roads and maritime forest trails, then continues with an out-and-back on East Beach between Cape Fear and Fort Fisher. The 50 km course includes one beach round-trip (about 19 miles of beach running); the 51.4-mile course includes two beach round-trips (about 38 miles of beach running). Aid is provided at three fixed locations, which are passed multiple times: AS1 at the Bald Head Island Conservancy, AS2 on the beach mid-way, and AS3 at the Fort Fisher Ranger Station. AS1 and AS3 have toilets; AS2 does not. AS1 also holds personal drop bags and serves as race headquarters and the finish area.

Support at aid stations includes water, electrolyte drink, energy gels, electrolyte capsules, bars, fruit, snacks, and basic supplies. Ibuprofen is not provided. Finish-line food and soup are available at Race HQ.

Logistics, rules and limits

Bald Head Island is reachable only by passenger ferry or private boat; motorized vehicles are not allowed on the island and most rentals include golf carts. There are no hotels on the island; accommodations are rental homes and cottages. Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable; a 50% rollover credit is available until 60 days before the event. Runners must sign the event waiver and may be required to submit urine drug tests; positive results lead to disqualification. Time limits: the 50 km has a nine-hour cut-off; the 51.4-mile has a 14-hour cut-off with an intermediate eight-hour cut-off at mile 32 (runners who reach mile 32 after eight but before nine hours may be reclassified as 50 km finishers). Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.