Runner's Almanac
All marathons

Mid-October · Southeast · Multi-Loop

Cape Fear Marathon & Half, presented by Mount to Coast and hosted by Badwater®

Bald Head Island, NC

Event: Cape Fear Marathon

  • Best for PR
  • Boston Qualifier
Register on RunSignUp

Registration opens on the organizer's site

Typical start temp
60°F(estimated)
Field size
~400 runners(estimated)
Course
Flat
Elevation
100 ft gain · 0 ft net(estimated)

Why runners choose this race

A loop course around Bald Head Island, NC, with very little meaningful elevation change.

Good fit if

  • · PR attempts
  • · Boston qualification
  • · Runners who want a low-key start

Think twice if

  • · You want crowds and on-course energy

Course and logistics

Course type
Multi-Loop
Surface
Road
Total gain
100 ft(estimated)
Total loss
100 ft(estimated)
Net elevation
0 ft(estimated)
Field size
~400 runners(estimated)
Crowd support
Quiet, low-key
Entry
Moderate
Entry fee
$169(most recent listed price)
Day of week
Sunday
Start / finish
Start and finish in the same area

Race details

Typical timing
Mid-October
Next confirmed date
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Registration
Open now
Region
Southeast
Editorial tier
Recommended
Prestige
6.0/10(estimated)
Data last reviewed
2026-08-26

Event: Cape Fear Marathon

Good to know

  • Best for PR
  • Boston Qualifier
  • Loop course
  • Flat course

Race-day weather

Modelled from location, month and coastal proximity — not verified race history.

Typical start
60°F(estimated)
By midday
71°F(estimated)
Dew point
53°F(estimated)
ExcellentGoodWarmHeat risk

Typical start sits at 60°F — warm for racing.

Similar races

Late October · Southeast

Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K

Emerald Isle, NC

Weather
59°Ftypical start
Field size
~400 runners
Course
Flat
Elevation
50 ft gain · 0 ft net

Event: Emerald Isle Marathon

PR8.8Weather7.7Experience6.0

Mid-November · Southeast

New Orleans Marathon

New Orleans, LA

Weather
59°Ftypical start
Field size
~2,000 runners
Course
Flat
Elevation
100 ft gain · 0 ft net

Event listed as: Marathon

PR9.1Weather7.7Experience7.3