Prepare to embrace the chill and ignite your inner strength at the OCNJ Winter Warrior Challenge, set for Saturday, February 14, 2026, in scenic Ocean City, NJ. This 2.5-mile individual obstacle course race promises an exhilarating Presidents Day Weekend experience, drawing athletes and families to conquer the winter elements. With typical race day conditions seeing highs around 46°F and lows near 27°F, and only a 15% chance of precipitation, participants should be ready for a brisk and invigorating challenge.

The OCNJ Winter Warrior Challenge course is a 2.5-mile journey packed with 10 demanding obstacles designed to test your grit and resolve. Starting near the Civic Center, runners will tackle a one-block run on the iconic Boardwalk before encountering hills and various obstacles along the beach. The course then moves into Carey Stadium, where a series of unique challenges like sand mounds, tire runs, floating steps, cargo net climbs, teeter-totters, and monkey bars are interwoven with laps around the track. Past participants have praised the event as "challenging but really fun," offering a "good extra challenge" and an excellent way to get exercise in the winter.

What truly sets the OCNJ Winter Warrior Challenge apart is its inclusive "Winter Warrior Festival," which extends beyond the individual race to include a dedicated Kids Challenge Course and competitive team events. Teams of four can test their collective strength in challenges such as a fire-truck pull, sandbag-carry relay, tire-flip relay, and fire hose and dummy rescue. After conquering the course, all survivors receive an exclusive finisher T-shirt. The celebration continues inside the Civic Center with a lively indoor festival featuring local merchants, hot chocolate, music, and fire heaters, providing a warm post-race atmosphere for participants and spectators alike. All proceeds from the event benefit Ocean City Recreation Scholarships and Programs, supporting the local community.