General Information
Welcome to the 4th year of The 16 Hour Lock-in at the Carolina Beach State Park! Located just outside of Wilmington, North Carolina, participants will have 16 hours to complete a 4.5-mile loop as many times as they want. This is a no DNF race, allowing athletes of different abilities and paces to compete in the same event, whether their goal is to complete a single lap or many laps. The race begins at 9am Saturday November 21, 2026, and ends at 1am Sunday November 22, 2026.
** The State Park gate closes at 7pm, making the event a "Lock-In". Anyone remaining past 7pm will be camping overnight or needs to arrange pick up outside of the park entrance.**
Race Information
Carolina Beach State Park is a coastal maritime forest with spectacular views along the Cape Fear River. Trails are groomed, wide and relatively flat. The 4.5-mile course has two hills with approximately 100 feet of climb per loop. The course includes dirt, sand, pine straw, roots and a small section of road (you can run off the road on grass if you prefer). Each loop takes you through the start/finish area where you can access your personal gear, bathrooms, and our fully stocked aid station.
* Start / Finish has sheltered drop bag area for those participants who do not have a 10x10 Camp Spot.
* Aid Station will provide water, Tailwind, and a variety of salty/sweet/savory snack foods. We offer two hot meals, one at lunch and one at dinner. We try to have vegan and gluten free options available; let us know ahead of time of special dietary restrictions.
* This is a cup free race; all racers need to bring their own refillable hydration vessel.
* Head lamp or similar is REQUIRED for anyone running past 5:30pm. .
* Rewind Year!! Each year we alternate course direction and this year is a REWIND or clockwise direction.
Camping and Set Up: Please Read!
What fun is a LOCK-IN without camping?
Only registered campers are allowed to spend the night in the State Park. If you plan to stay past 7pm you need to purchase a camping spot with us, or reserve a spot at Carolina Beach State Park Family Campground. Please read through and decide if you want to camp with us or reserve your own site. Note: you cannot leave your car inside the state park overnight or sleep in your car unless you are a registered camper.
CAMP WITH US
We have 30 spots available at the Group Campsite (aka Race Start/Finish). Space here is limited to the first 30 participants who purchase the $11 camping upgrade at checkout.
By purchasing a Camp Site here you get:
* 10 x 10 area to set up your stuff adjacent to the race course. Only those who purchase the 10 dollar camping upgrade will be granted a 10x10 spot for their personal aid station.
* Camping Friday and Saturday nights (if you choose).
* Overnight pass for your car (required if you plan to sleep in your car or leave car overnight).
* Campsites here are primitive and walk-in (pit latrines; no water or power; no generators allowed).
**Once these spots are sold out, your only option at check out is to choose “I do not require a camp spot”** We have a waitlist for the group campsites; message race director to be added.
RESERVE YOUR OWN SITE
The Carolina Beach State Park has a family campground for RV, tent, and cabin camping, if you want more space/privacy/heated bathhouse etc. The campground is not adjacent to the race course, but a short walk or drive (less than 1 mile). First come first serve. Make your own reservations at this link. https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/carolina-beach-state-park/camping
Race Start Location
Race takes place within the Carolina Beach State Park, 1010 State Park Road, Carolina Beach, NC 28428. .
Race Start / Finish Area is at the Group Campsites, accessed by foot via the Fly Trap Trail.
Instructions for unloading and parking will be emailed to participants prior to the race.
Schedule of Events
Friday November 20
4:30-6:30 pm Early Packet Pick Up and Early Set Up at Group Campsites
7 pm Gates Close
Saturday November 21
7 am Gates Open
7am-8:30am Race Participant Check In / Drop Off & Set Up
8:30am Pre-Race Meeting
9 am Race Start
6 pm Cut off For Non-Overnight Participants
7 pm Gates Close
Sunday November 22
1 am 16 Hours / Race Finish / Awards
9 am Clean Up
Swag and Awards
Cool punk rock patches given for finishing a Recognized Race Distance (13.1 / 26.2 / 50k / 50 mile / 100k). 1 patch per racer, runner's choice of distance (as long as you did the mileage!). Buckle awarded to 100 mile finishers.
All participants receive a freakin' amazing Punk Rock Ultras Lock-In apparel. Register before October 1st to guarantee your size.
Top 3 finishers (most miles in 16 hours) awarded in Male, Female, and Non-Binary divisions. Prizes TBD, maybe the cool chain locks or maybe we tattoo your winning distance on your forehead.
Refunds, Cancellation and Waitlist
Due to the limited capacity, this race may sell out.
If the race is sold out, we highly encourage signing up for the Waitlist.
When signing up for the Waitlist you will need to select the "I do not require a camp spot," since campspots are also sold out. If you are moved from the Waitlist, we will provide you the camping options available at that time.
75% refund for a racer canceling their order will be allowed up to October 1st. We do not allow bib transfers.
If you are unable to attend the race, please be considerate to other potential runners and let the race directors know so your spot may be offered to someone else.
Volunteering
If you would like all the fun of participating in The 16 Hour Lock-In without the hassle of actually racing, may we suggest signing up as a volunteer? Volunteers get a race t-shirt and priority registration for next year’s race (i.e. you are guaranteed to get in; no waitlist). If you sign up for a night shift, you also get free camping! Use the Volunteer button to navigate assignments, available shifts and to sign up. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a volunteering adult.
NEW THIS YEAR: PACERS (aka racer companions). We are looking for folks who can jump in as needed to keep racers motivated and going. Pacers provide company and help racers stay positive, feel safe, and stay on trail. Don't worry about being "too slow" to pace; we need a variety of paces including walking pace.
Event's current local time: 2:46 AM ET
