2021 Badwater Cape Fear Webcast

The seventh Badwater Cape Fear 50km / 51mi ultramarathon took place on October 2, 2021 on Bald Head Island, North Carolina. A field of 125 runners competed in either the 50km race or the 51-mile race, with all but seven finishing officially. Click here for the race results.

The 2021 race featured 125 runners representing Armenia, Canada, India, Norway, Philippines, Sweden, and United Kingdom, plus 21 American states: Alabama (2), California (8), Colorado (1), Florida (11), Georgia (1), Illinois (3), Iowa (1), Indiana (1), Kansas (1), Maryland (4), Massachusetts (1), New York (7), North Carolina (48), Ohio (6), Pennsylvania (5), Rhode Island (1), South Carolina (6), Tennessee (3), Texas (2), Vermont (3), and Virginia (6). Ages range from 21 to 76. There were 30 females and 95 males, 102 rookies and 23 race veterans. For the full race roster, click here.

With 50km and 51-mile race options and a start line at the foot of Old Baldy, Badwater® Cape Fear features a twelve-mile warm-up on the car-free, one-lane-wide roads and maritime forest trails of Bald Head Island, followed by either 19 or 38 miles of running on the wild and secluded sandy beach between Cape Fear and Fort Fisher. The beach stretch features spectacular views of the Frying Pan Shoals to the east and the wild and undeveloped marshlands to the west. Running this remote coast is a dramatic, invigorating, and inspiring manner in which to experience Bald Head Island, Fort Fisher State Recreation, and the Cape Fear region in all its grandeur!

This exquisite natural setting is the perfect antidote to the “real world” and a wonderful counterpart to the desert sands and mountains of Death Valley and Anza-Borrego Desert featured in the two West Coast BADWATER® races.

Registration is already open for the March 19, 2022 edition, and there is a 200-runner limit which will sell out. Whether you are a grizzled Badwater veteran, or looking to take on your first Badwater race, we hope you will join us!

Special thanks, Volunteers! YOU made it happen!

Pre-Race Support: Ted Williamson, Bob Becker, Jay Lee, Stacey Shand, Luke Way, Keith Weitz, Telma Altoon, Noora Alidina, Julie Lee, and Robert Lee.

Trail Prep: Bob Becker and Jay Lee

Start Line: Keith Weitz, Stacey Shand, Barry Siff, Brian Recore, and Chris Kostman

Broom Wagon (first 10.5 miles): Brian Recore

Directions: Chris Shank, Julie Lee, Barry Siff, Sebastian Prieto, BHI Conservancy interns (Abigail, Adele, Judith, Jenn, and others)

AS1 at Bald Head Island Conservancy: Emily Ryan and Leslie Carboni

AS2 at Mid-Beach: Ted Williamson and Bonny McClain (with assistance from Fort Fisher State Recreation Area rangers!)

AS3 at Fort Fisher: Keith Weitz, Hailey Leon, and Eleanor Erickson (with assistance from Fort Fisher State Recreation Area rangers!)

Timing: Julie Lee with assistance from Barry Siff and Robert Lee.

Finish Line: Stacey Shand, Chris Kostman, Chris Shank, Brian Recore, Sebastian Prieto, and others

Photography: Robert Lee of BeamCatchers and Chris Kostman

Public Safety Support: Village of Bald Head Island Public Safety and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area Rangers

Thank You!

This event is held under permits from the Village of Bald head Island, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, and North Carolina Division of Coastal Management, and with the incredible support of Bald Head Island Conservancy and Friends of Pleasure Island State Parks. We thank them, and all our North Carolina friends, for their support!