Polar Plunge & Run
About this race
WHAT
RUN - PLUNGE - OR BOTH
Some People Are Just Worth Freezing For!
Help support local Special Olympics athletes by participating in the Polar Plunge & Run.
Choose from the 5K, 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, or by taking a chilling plunge into the Atlantic Ocean. Run for a great cause on a great 5K course open to all ages and skill levels. Race participants will not be required to plunge, but are encouraged to heat up with the run/walk and cool down with the Polar Plunge – because some people are just worth freezing for!
Live music, vendors, food trucks and games make this a one-of-a-kind special event not to be missed!
DATE
Saturday, February 20, 2027
LOCATION
Race Start / Finish Line
105 Atlantic Avenue
Kure Beach, NC 28449
Polar Plunge
On the Beach
105 Atlantic Avenue
Kure Beach, NC 28449
PARKING
Parking is available at any legal street parking spot in surrounding blocks. Parking fees may apply.
EVENTS OFFERED
5K - This is a timed event
1 Mile - This event is not timed (PLEASE NOTE: The 1 Mile starts before the 5K at 1:00pm)
Polar Plunge -- Because some people are just worth freezing for!
*You can run or walk the 5K or 1 Mile.
FUNDRAISING
A big part of the Special Olympics Polar Plunge & Run is fundraising. The amazing Polar Plunge Fundraisers are the backbone of this event. Prizes are available for fundraisers! To fundraise, click on Become a Fundraiser in the menu above.
TEAMS
Get your team together for the 2026 Polar Plunge. Prizes are available for biggest teams and top team fundraisers.
TO REGISTER
How to Register Before the Event: Click on the Sign Up button in the top right
How to Register At the Event: Online registration does not close until the race starts. We strongly encourage you to register at home or on your phone before visiting the registration tents. Participants who register at the event will be asked to scan a QR Code with their phone to register digitally.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Visit the Schedule of Events by clicking HERE
HOW YOUR REGISTRATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Special Olympics New Hanover County provides year-round sports training, competition, social events, and Summer Camp for individuals eight years of age and older with intellectual disabilities.
In New Hanover County, more than 1000 athletes participate in Special Olympics. The program relies solely on private and corporate support as well as the efforts of over 500 volunteers to provide these services at no cost to the athletes or their families.
Pick your distance
Running
5K Only
This registration type does not include the Plunge.
1 Mile Only
This registration type does not include the Plunge.
Plunge Only
This registration type does not include the 5K or 1 Mile.
5K Run & Plunge
The registration includes the 5K and Plunge.
1 Mile Run & Plunge
This registration includes the 1 Mile and Plunge.
Race-day daylight
We have no recorded weather for Kure Beach yet, but sunrise and sunset follow from the venue and the date.
The sun rises at 6:50 AM and sets at 5:59 PM local time (EST) in Kure Beach on February 20, 2027 — 11h 09m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
Reviews
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Results — Polar Plunge & Run
Other races near Kure Beach
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
Carolina Beach State Park Trail Half Marathon & 5K
Miles for Mammos 5K & 1-Mile Run/Walk presented by Live Oak Med Spa
Cape Fear Marathon & Half, presented by Mount to Coast and hosted by Badwater®
Haunted 5K, 10K & 13.1M at Wilmington, NC (42)
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Kure Beach
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Kure Beach 5K Races 2 races
- Kure Beach Running Calendar 2026 2 races
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 2 Kure Beach events
Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.