Cape Fear Marathon & Half, presented by Mount to Coast and hosted by Badwater® 2026 — Bald Head Island, NC

Date
October 18, 2026
Location
Bald Head Island, NC
Venue
101 Light House Wynd
Start Time
10:00 AM
Entry Fee
$169.00 – $199.00
Events
Cape Fear Marathon, Cape Fear Half Marathon
Includes
T-Shirt
Register NowRegistration OpenOfficial Race Website
AdventureCORPS® – the organizers of the iconic worldwide series of Badwater® races – are pleased to host the Cape Fear Marathon & Half Marathon on Bald Head Island, North Carolina. This is the home of fabled and legendary Cape Fear, and the home to our annual Badwater Cape Fear ultramarathon - now in its 12th year - the "(B)east Coast" counterpart to our two California-based races, Badwater Salton Sea and Badwater 135. This third edition of the Cape Fear Marathon & Half will take place on Sunday, October 18, 2026. With 26.2 and 13.1-mile race options, Cape Fear Marathon and Half Marathon presented by Mount to Coast takes place entirely on Bald Head Island and its car-free, one-lane-wide roads, plus a short but spectacular stretch on the beach around Cape Fear herself. The start line is located at Old Baldy, the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina, with an aid station nearby. Another aid station will be located at the Bald Head Island Conservancy , our local charitable partner, and a th

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Cape Fear Marathon & Half, presented by Mount to Coast and hosted by Badwater® 2026 — Bald Head Island, NC

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Race Travel Insurance

Don't forget travel insurance for October 18.

You've trained for months and booked a trip to Bald Head Island, NC. A pre-race injury, a delayed flight, or a family emergency can derail the whole thing. Travel insurance can help cover your race entry fee, hotel, and flights if you can't make it, and may cover medical costs if something goes wrong on the course. Plans typically only run 5-7% of your total trip cost — and running events are covered under standard plans with no additional coverage needed.

  • Trip cancellation up to 100% of prepaid costs
  • Running events covered under standard plans — no add-ons needed
  • Trip interruption up to 150% of non-refundable costs
  • Emergency medical up to $250,000
  • Cancel For Any Reason add-on available
  • 24/7 real-time support
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