Location:
Cape Fear, Bald Head Island, NC
Weather:
60° F partly sunny. Light breeze – 15-20+ mph head wind coming from the south end of the cape.
The Course:
About 12 miles of paved roads around the island.
About 1 mile of single track trail with heavy brush.
38.2 miles of beach.
My Stats:
OF: 13:09:00
Cutoff time was 14 hours.
Overall: 94 GP: 30
My Gear:
Black Diamond headlamp; buff; hat; Altra KingMT shoes and gators; UD pack.
The Race:
Badwater Cape Fear 51 miler! Or what I call the baby Badwater (compared to Salton Sea and 135).
I can’t say enough good things about this race, it was very well orchestrated; the RD, Chris Kostman (World’s Toughest) and volunteers went above and beyond to make the day epic!
The runners were crazy athletic and inspiring throughout the journey. We all cheered one another on, as we rode the struggle bus.
We ran on road, trail and beach. 38.2 miles being on the beach.
My husband and I ran side by side for the majority of the day. We enjoyed the company and shared experience.
There were 20+ mph headwinds for 20 miles total, while beach running. Not to mention when it was high tide, we were forced to either run in the water or the soft sand. We had a non-strategized run/walk to cope with Mother Nature.
During the final 5 miles of the day, we needed our headlamps to guide our way down the beach. We raced heat lightening, which was slightly terrifying because I have a big fear of lightning and storms.
Chris Kostman presented us with our buckles and we had our finish line photo taken.
Two thumbs up for Cape Fear!
I didn’t actually know anyone or have friends who ran Badwater before this day, but once I earned my buckle, I joined a family.
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