45th Annual - Polar Bear Winter Classic
About this race
Saturday, February 27th - Polar Bear Winter Classic
Fowling Warehouse IndianapolisSJC Racing is proud to continue the tradition of one of the oldest races in Indianapolis: the 45th Annual Polar Bear Winter Classic.
We heard great feedback about the new location, and we'll be back at Fowling Warehouse for 2027!
This historic race is strategically placed on the calendar during the second half of February to be the first major road race of the year in Indy. The race offers a unique format including a 5K, 5 Mile or The Bear (5K + 5 Mile) The Bear is the challenge that allows you to run both distances, one after the other, for a total of 8.1 miles.
SWAG - The first 1000 registrants are guaranteed a finisher medal and "Wear the Bear" winter hat (watch your email and our Facebook page for alerts as we get close to hitting 1000). We also have an optional long sleeve and hoodie available as an add on during registration or directly from the race store.
Continuing with tradition, the Polar Bear Winter Classic offers cash prizes. age group awards in all three event distances. Post-race celebration will be inside at the Fowling Warehouse.
Join fellow runners on February 22, 2025 for the 45th Annual - Polar Bear Winter Classic. It's a fantastic 5K, 8K, 13.1K featuring a flat and fast course in Indianapolis.
Pick your distance
Running
5K Run Walk
The 5K course is a fast course that starts and finishing in front of the Irsay Family YMCA.
5 Mile Run Walk
The 5M uses the first part of the 5K then takes you into historic Bates Hendrix neighborhood and back.
The Bear (5K + 5 Mile = both races)
The Bear, running both races, is a tough one. This is why it has become a must do for those in Spring Training.
Virtual 5k
Virtual 5 Mile
Virtual Bear (5k + 5 Mile)
Weather Overview
These values reflect historical conditions on the race dates in Indianapolis in 2025, from Open-Meteo archive data.
About Indianapolis
45th Annual - Polar Bear Winter Classic takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The local timezone is America/Indiana/Indianapolis.
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Race information has been sourced from the event's official website and other publicly available resources. For the most up-to-date details, please refer to the official website directly. If you notice any incorrect or missing information, don't hesitate to reach out to us by email.