Cape Fear Marathon & Half

Cape Fear Marathon & Half, presented by Mount to Coast and hosted by Badwater®

Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026

Location: Bald Head Island, NC 28461 US

AdventureCORPS®, the organizers of the Badwater® races, are hosting the second edition of the Cape Fear Marathon & Half Marathon on Bald Head Island, North Carolina. The event offers 26.2-mile and 13.1-mile race options, taking place on car-free roads and a stretch of beach around Cape Fear.

The start line is at Old Baldy Lighthouse, and aid stations are strategically placed along the route, including one at the Bald Head Island Conservancy. The race is "cupless," requiring participants to carry their own hydration.

Schedule Highlights:

• Saturday, October 17, 2026: Racer Check-In (18:00-19:00)
• Sunday, October 18, 2026: Race starts at 10:00 AM EDT
• Half-Marathon Cut-Off: 4 hours
• Marathon Cut-Off: 7 hours

Swag includes: Cape Fear Marathon & Half bib, Custom Road ID, BibFasteners, tri-blend t-shirt, hat, buff, Badwater Race Cup, sunglasses, and chip clip. A free burger party is also included for competitors.

Awards: Finishers receive a medal. Winners of the half- and full-marathon receive complimentary shoes from Mount to Coast.

Support: Aid stations provide water, Tailwind Endurance Fuel, Hyk Energy packets, Hammer Gel, electrolyte capsules, snacks, Coke, Ginger Ale, chips, pretzels, trail mix, bananas, oranges, pickles, pickle juice, sunblock, and hand sanitizer. Participants must carry their own water bottle/hydration pack.

Policies: Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. No refunds or credits will be given in case of event cancellation due to force majeure.

Race Contact Info: Available via a "Questions?" button on the website.