Cape Fear Marathon & Half Marathon Returns to BHI This October

AdventureCORPS®, organizers of the world-renowned Badwater® ultramarathon series, will bring the 3rd annual Cape Fear Marathon & Half Marathon to Bald Head Island on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Presented by Mount to Coast, this fall race experience offers runners the chance to take on 26.2 or 13.1 miles in one of the most breathtaking and storied settings on the East Coast.

The race begins at 10:00 a.m. at Old Baldy Lighthouse, North Carolina’s oldest lighthouse, and finishes on the marina end of the Timber Bridge beside Jules' Salty Grub & Island Pub. The course winds across Bald Head Island’s quiet, car-free roads and includes a spectacular stretch of beach around Cape Fear itself.

For runners looking to make a weekend of it, Bald Head Island offers plenty of diversions before race day. From climbing Old Baldy and exploring the museum, to kayaking, hiking maritime forest trails, or joining in Saturday’s family-friendly Halloween festivities, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the island.

Race Details

• Distances: Marathon (26.2 miles) and Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
• Time Limits: 7 hours (marathon) and 4 hours (half marathon)
• Aid Stations: Located at Old Baldy/Timber Bridge, Beach Access 35, and the Bald Head Island Conservancy—passed multiple times depending on distance
• Check-In: Jules' Salty Grub, Saturday 6–7:30 p.m. and Sunday 8:00–9:30 a.m.
• Post-Race Celebration: Jules’ Salty Grub will host an afternoon party for participants and volunteers, complete with burgers (or bean burgers), cold beer, and non-alcoholic drinks

Registration is open now through October 10 at Runsignup.com (no onsite registration). Runners who register before October 9 will also receive a custom Cape Fear edition Road ID engraved with #CapeFearLife.

Local Partners also include the Village of Bald Head Island and the Bald Head Island Conservancy. The event is hosted under special event permits from the Village of Bald Head Island, with staff and volunteers from Bald Head Island Public Safety and Public Works providing direct support for the event.

Supporting Conservation at Cape Fear

Proceeds benefit the Bald Head Island Conservancy (BHIC), the official charity partner of both Cape Fear Marathon and Badwater Cape Fear. Since 2014, AdventureCORPS and its athletes have contributed more than $165,000 to the Conservancy’s work in conservation, preservation, and education—including protecting Bald Head Island’s critical sea turtle nesting sites.

As Chris Kostman, Chief Adventure Officer of AdventureCORPS, puts it:
"We love Bald Head Island and we love working with the Conservancy and supporting the important work they do both on and off the island."

Chris Shank, Executive Director of BHIC, agrees:
“Badwater has been a wonderful supporter of the Bald Head Island Conservancy for over a decade through generous sponsorships and magnanimous donations from racers. We love working with Chris Kostman and his team each and every year - their events are annual highlights for the Conservancy and for all of Bald Head Island!" 

More Than a Race
With its dramatic Cape Fear backdrop, historic landmarks, and natural beauty, this race weekend is more than a competition—it’s an invitation to experience Bald Head Island in a way few ever will. Whether you run the marathon, the half, or simply cheer on the athletes, it’s a community event that captures the spirit of the island.

Published by Teri Kelly
Wednesday, September 30, 2026