Badwater Cape Fear
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BADWATER Cape Fear : March 21, 2026, Bald Head Island, NC
BADWATER Cape Fear is an ultra running event on Bald Head Island, North Carolina. The event offers two distances:
- 50 km
- 51.4 miles
The start line is at the foot of Old Baldy Lighthouse. Both distances begin with a twelve-mile section on the island’s car-free roads and maritime forest trails. After that, runners follow north-south out-and-back beach sections between Cape Fear and Fort Fisher: the 50 km includes one beach round-trip (about 19 miles of beach running) and the 51.4-mile includes two round-trips (about 38 miles of beach running).
Course support, logistics and rules
Aid is provided at three locations: Bald Head Island Conservancy (Race HQ), a mid-beach aid site, and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area ranger station. These aid stations are passed multiple times and offer water, Tailwind drink, gels, electrolyte capsules, bars, fruits, snacks, pickles and basic supplies. Personal drop bags are available at the Conservancy checkpoint. Time limits are nine hours for the 50 km and 14 hours for the 51.4-mile, with an intermediate 8-hour cut-off at mile 32 for the 51.4-mile; runners missing that cut-off may be reclassified as 50 km finishers.
Bald Head Island is reachable only by passenger ferry or private boat. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the island; rental properties include golf carts and ferry tickets include tram delivery of gear. The Bald Head Island Conservancy is the event’s official charity and the race aims to raise funds for its work, with an annual fundraising goal of $10,000. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.