Competitors in the Winter Warrior Challenge run on a snowy beach. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
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 superhero in this costumed one-mile run that's part of OC CON weekend. 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 one-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. Event includes 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.
Part of the OCNJ Half Marathon is run on the Boardwalk. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
