Cape Fear Marathon
Race snapshot
Race Day
57–77°F · Feels mild
Total elevation gain
Relatively flat course · Net elevation change +0 ft
Crowd Rating
Quiet course sections
The Lowdown
The Cape Fear Marathon is held on Sunday, October 17, 2027, on Bald Head Island, North Carolina, a car-free island where runners arrange their own ferry from Southport. The race starts at 10:00 a.m. at Old Baldy Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina, and finishes at the marina end of the wooden bridge. The marathon is three laps of the island on one-lane golf cart roads, with about 2.2 miles of beach running around Cape Fear and about 24 miles on the roads. Three aid station locations are visited on every lap, and the time limit is 7 hours. The race is cupless, so runners carry the collapsible Badwater Race Cup, and a hand-held bottle is recommended. A half marathon runs the same morning. The event is hosted by AdventureCORPS, organizer of the Badwater ultramarathons, and presented by Mount to Coast.
Questions about the Cape Fear Marathon 2027
When is the Cape Fear Marathon 2027?
Sunday, October 17, 2027.
Where is the Cape Fear Marathon?
Bald Head Island, North Carolina, United States.
What time does the Cape Fear Marathon start?
The race starts at 10:00 AM, local time.
What is the Cape Fear Marathon time limit?
7 hours.
How do I enter the Cape Fear Marathon 2027?
Registration is open. Jul 31, 2027: Price Increase. Ways in: Online registration through RunSignup; Registration closes ten days before race day.
How much does the Cape Fear Marathon 2027 cost?
Marathon: $169.
What is the Cape Fear Marathon elevation gain?
150 ft (46 m) of total elevation gain. Net elevation change: +0 ft (0 m). Relatively flat course.
What is the Cape Fear Marathon course like?
It passes Old Baldy Lighthouse, Cape Fear and Bald Head Island Conservancy.
What is the weather like at the Cape Fear Marathon?
Race-day temperatures are usually 14–25 °C (57–77 °F). Feels mild.
Where are the Cape Fear Marathon results?
The official 2026 results are on the organizer's site. Official results
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