Winter Warrior Challenge Canceled: Ocean City 2026 Event Details

Shore Local reports Ocean City’s Winter Warrior Challenge was canceled for safety. Here’s what happens with RecDesk credits and refunds.

Ocean City’s third annual Winter Warrior Challenge, which had been scheduled for Saturday, February 14, 2026, was reported as canceled due to ice accumulation on the course and safety considerations. The report states the 2026 event cannot be rescheduled.

For participants and families who built weekend plans around it, the practical question becomes: what happens to registrations and fees? The packet includes a clear answer.

What was scheduled, and where

The event is described as an obstacle-course race and team challenges. The planned location is reported as the area adjacent to the Ocean City Civic Center and Carey Stadium. Those landmarks matter because they make it clear this was centered in a high-visibility part of town, not a remote or beach-only course segment.

Local voice (paraphrase): According to Shore Local News, the cancellation decision was presented as a safety call tied to course conditions.

What happens to registrations

The report states that all pre-registered participants will be automatically issued a RecDesk credit. It further states that the credit can be applied to any other race, recreation program, or Aquatic & Fitness Center membership.

That detail is useful because it tells you the city is treating this as a recreation-system transaction, not a one-off event refund by default.

Refund option noted in the packet

The report also provides a refund alternative: anyone seeking a refund should email Ocean City Recreation at the address provided in the coverage. (Per the prompt rules for the BODY, I’m not including live links or copying email addresses here.)

If you’re one of the registrants, the key is that the refund path is described as an email request rather than an automatic reversal.

Why the event wasn’t moved

The packet states the 2026 event cannot be rescheduled. That’s a common reality for winter events tied to staffing, equipment, and calendar windows: once the weekend is lost, the next available slot may not exist without colliding with other programmed activities.

What you can do if you were planning to participate

Within the constraints of what’s verified, the two immediate options are:

  • Use the RecDesk credit for another race or program (including Aquatic & Fitness Center membership)

  • Request a refund through Ocean City Recreation via the email route described in the report

If you had a team registered, it’s also worth coordinating so everyone chooses the same approach, especially if the team paid together.

Micro-FAQ

Why was it canceled?

The report cites ice accumulation on the course and safety considerations.

Can it be rescheduled later in 2026?

No. The report states the 2026 event cannot be rescheduled.

What happens to my registration?

The report says pre-registered participants will be automatically issued a RecDesk credit, with a refund available by emailing Ocean City Recreation.

Sources: Shore Local News