About Event

This "unbearable" event is a unique opportunity to show your bravery as you support local Special Olympics athletes by walking, running or strutting a 5K or 10K into the frigid winter air. In 2020, Rolla Polar Bear Strut had 17 strutters and raised more than $3,500! This one-of-a-kind event promises a fun atmosphere complete with music, crazy costumes and lasting memories for everyone!

Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Missouri’s year-round program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. SOMO exists to provide year-round sports and training opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and our athletes need you to get involved. Become a coach, volunteer, recruit a future athlete and learn how you can make a difference!

Location: Lions Club Park, Rolla
Date: March 6, 2021
Registration opens: 8:30 a.m.
Strut begins: 10 a.m.  - Those running the 10K will depart first, and the 5K participants will begin about 10 minutes later.

Costumes are encouraged and awards will be given to the top 3 costumes!

Contact Crystal at cschuster@somo.org with questions. 

COVID Precautions: Everyone will be required to social distance and wear face masks while onsite for this event. Strutters will be allowed to remove their masks while running but will be required to put it back on after the race. While moving through the park, please watch for markers to help keep distance between you and the next group and make sure you spread out in changing tents.

We appreciate that this is a fun event to bring your family and friends to watch while you Strut but this year due to COVID, we ask that each team only bring one/two additional people to be the team photographer/videographer. They can also Facebook Live your team strutting so others can watch from home. Thank you for helping us keep our event safe!

If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, exposed to COVID-19 in the ten days prior to the Polar Plunge or are experiencing fever, cough, loss of taste/smell or shortness of breath, you should stay at home. When you are feeling better, we hope you will participate from home through the virtual plunge.

Please note: If the in person event would need to be cancelled, we would switch the event to virtual and there will be no refunds.