If your New Year’s resolution includes getting back in shape, why not set a goal by registering for one of Ocean City’s 2026 race events?
From the Winter Warrior Challenge on Presidents Day weekend through the popular fall OCNJ Half Marathon and Trail of Two Cities, the city’s Recreation Department sponsors a series of races that feature spectacular views of the ocean, bay and boardwalk.
The 2026 schedule is as follows, and registration opened on Feb. 1:
- Winter Warrior Challenge (Feb. 14): Now in its third year, this Presidents Day Weekend event will run from the Ocean City Civic Center on Saturday, Feb. 14, and include three components: an obstacle course race for children, a “Winter Warrior” obstacle challenge for parents and individuals, and team challenges such as a fire truck pull.
- OC CON Super Hero Run (April 11): Be a super hero in this costumed 1-mile run that’s part of OC CON weekend. The event also includes a kids’ Super Hero Obstacle Dash.
- Emergency Responder 5K (June 13): Come join some of Ocean City’s Finest out on a course that includes stretches on the Boardwalk and the north end. There is also a 1-mile fun run/walk and special events for the kids.
- Ocean City Masters Swim (July 12): The Masters Swim has been one of the premier open-water swimming events on the Jersey Shore since 1979. The 1-mile ocean race follows a point-to-point course that runs parallel to the beach. Competitors enjoy memorable views as they swim along the Ocean City Boardwalk during a race with a Sunday evening start time of 4:30 p.m. (Registration for this event will open soon. Check back at www.ocnj.us/race-events.)
- Labor Day Run (Sept. 7): Traditional end-of-summer event includes a 5-mile beach run or 1-mile fun run/walk.
- OCNJ Half Marathon (Oct. 4): Ocean City’s premier race event showcases the boardwalk, downtown and ocean views along a fast and flat course. The event includes a 10-miler and a 5K. The race moves to the first weekend of October this year.
- Trail of Two Cities 5K (Nov. 7): Unique point-to-point race travels from Ocean City to Somers Point with spectacular views along the causeway.
For complete information and registration for all races, visit www.ocnj.us/race-events.
Winter Warrior Challenge on Feb. 14
The Winter Warrior Challenge will return for its third year on Saturday, Feb. 14, and registration is open for the event’s fun and wintry competition.
Winter Warrior includes three components: an obstacle course race for children, a “Winter Warrior” obstacle course race for parents and individuals and team challenges such as a fire-truck pull.
- Kids Obstacles: A fun, non-competitive course includes a rock wall, hazard walls, cargo net, agility poles, teeter plank, monkey bars, floating steps, tire run and noodle tower.
- “Winter Warrior Challenge”: Show your grit on a cold 2.5-mile course with 10 obstacles. Look for things like sand mounds, floating steps and a cargo-net climb along the way. This race is reserved for participants ages 14 and older (or those younger but accompanied by an adult). All survivors receive an exclusive Winter Warrior Challenge finisher T-shirt.
- “Winter Warrior” Team Challenges: Teams of four from local businesses, organizations, churches and other groups will compete in events such as a fire-truck pull, dummy rescue and tire-flip relay.
Registration for all events is open now, and discounted fees will be available through 4 p.m. Feb. 11. For complete information and registration, visit ocnj.us/race-events.
Environment Family Fun Day on Feb. 14
The seventh annual Ocean City Nature & The Environment Family Fun Day is set for 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday Feb. 14 in the cafeteria at Ocean City High School (501 Atlantic Ave).
The event is a great chance to get the kids out to do something educational, interactive and have loads of fun this Presidents Day weekend. Last year’s event drew more than 850 parents and kids.
This year’s event will include a wide range of hands-on experiences focused on nature and the environment and catered to both children and adults.
Hands-on activities:
- Meet and Greet Ocean City’s Boardwalk Raptors – East Coast Falcons
- Small Zoo Animal Interaction (Cape May County Zoo)
- Marine Life Interaction (Wetlands Institute)
- Recycling Arts and Crafts (Ocean City Environmental Commission)
- Nature and Environmental Takeaways
- Food Drive: Please bring canned and shelf stable foods and personal products to donate to the Ocean City Ecumenical Council Food Cupboard
Demonstrations, exhibits, experts:
- The Importance of Pollinating Insects – Show and Tell (Ocean County College, Barnegat Bay Partnership)
- Planting Your Own Pollinator Garden – Show and Tell, and Pollinator Seed Giveaway (Ocean City Garden Club)
- The Wonderful World of Birds: N.J. Audubon Society
- Bringing Back the Original Jersey Tomato: Show and Tell, and Tomato Seed Giveaway (Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center)
- Environmentally Friendly Shellfish Replenishing – Demonstration (ACT Engineers)
- Protecting the Watershed and Cleaning Up the Bay – Demonstration (AmeriCorps)
- Trash Decomposition and the Environment (Ocean City Environmental Commission)
- The Ins and Outs of Recycling (Cape May Municipal Utilities Authority)
- How to Compost (Ocean City Environmental Commission)
- Native Plants Exhibit (Ocean City Environmental Commission)
- Energy Efficiency (South Jersey Gas)
- Energy Efficiency (Atlantic City Electric)
- Water Efficiency (New Jersey American Water)
- Solid Waste and Wastewater Management (Cape May Municipal Utilities Authority)
- Electric Vehicle Charging Location Maps
The event is proudly sponsored by Ocean City’s Environmental Commission and held in partnership with the Ocean City Free Public Library, Cape May County Park and Zoo, The Wetlands Institute, Ocean County College, Ocean City Garden Club, Ocean City Ecumenical Council Food Cupboard, Rutgers University Agricultural Extension Center and the Audubon Society of New Jersey.
‘Love Is in the Air’ on Feb. 14
The Greater Ocean City Theatre Company (OCTC) will celebrate love with some of the most enchanting and unforgettable songs to ever grace the Broadway stage at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. Bring that special someone, your family, a friend, or let Broadway be your Valentine this year for the “Love Is in the Air” show at the Ocean City Music Pier.
Talented performers from the OCTC’s Professional Broadway Series and student programs are back on stage for a relaxed and fun cabaret featuring favorite Broadway songs.
You can buy tickets at oceancitytheatrecompany.com. Show tickets are $18 per person.
