Bald Head Island Hosts 3rd Annual BADWATER Cape Fear Race

This weekend, approximately 150 runners from all over the United States and Canada will flock to beautiful Bald Head Island, off the coast of North Carolina, to participate in the third annual BADWATER Cape Fear race. The 50­mile race taking place along Bald Head Island’s beautiful sandy beach is one of three races between now and July that challenges runners, as part of the BADWATER Ultra Cup Series, to ultra-long running distances across various locations in the United States. 

The BADWATER Cape Fear Race on Bald Head Island marks the first of the BADWATER Ultra Cup and will undoubtedly be one of the more enjoyable settings for runners in the series. With 50km and 51­mile race options, Bald Head Island runners will begin a twelve­ mile warm­up on the car­free roads of the Island, followed by either 19 or 39 miles along the wild and secluded sandy beach between Cape Fear and Fort Fisher. The bulk of the race is held along the Atlantic Seaboard with spectacular views of the Frying Pan Shoals to the east and wild and undeveloped marshlands to the west. Thanks to the Island’s protected location off the coast of the Atlantic and its southern temperate climate, runners should enjoy mild spring conditions and a rewarding beach breeze.  

After the BADWATER Cape Fear race kickoff on Bald Head Island, many of the 150 runners will choose to meet again in May, this time in Borrego Springs, California, to complete the 81­mile Salton Sea race. Two months later on July 18th, runners will round out the BADWATER Ultra Cup with a 135­miler in mountainous and desert conditions from California’s Death Valley to Mt. Whitney. Runners who complete all three full­ distance events in the same calendar year will be featured on the BADWATER website and their virtues will be extolled throughout the Internet and in future editions of BADWATER Magazine.  

Bald Head Island is proud to host the BADWATER Cape Fear race for the third year in a row, along with local sponsors including Coastal Urge, Maritime Market, Bald Head Island Limited, and support from Southport Paddle & Sail. Coastal Urge will host a pre­race social mixer at their Island location, and the finish line feast will be prepared and catered by Maritime Market. Bald Head Island Limited is offering special home rental offers for the weekend and the Hampton Inn in Southport has also extended a special rate for runners, as well.  

The Bald Head Island Conservancy is the official charity of the race, as its mission for Bald Head Island’s barrier island conservation, preservation, and education plays a large role in preserving the race route’s pristine setting and natural habitat. You can learn more about the contributions of the Bald Head Island Conservancy team, here.  

The Island is sure to be buzzing all weekend long. Come out and show your support for these amazing athletes and book one of our last minute accommodation specials for the weekend.  

For those interested, you can preview the Bald Head Island running route with this aerial video.  
         

Published on Monday, March 14, 2016