Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostRileigh Adams, center, Annelise Steffensen, right, and her mother Deb, left, who called themselves the Fat Bear Gang, jump into the cold water during the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostPlungers Emi Carlson, Shyla Roy, Milo Hauer, and Quinn Rowlinson, who called themselves the Pip N Dips, brave the cold water as they take part in the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostDenver police officer Marcus Black, right, shows his large scars from wounds sustained after being shot on duty last summer before taking part in the the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization. Officer Black barely survived his injuries and was using the plunge as a celebratory time to jump in the cold water with recruits from the Denver Police Academy Recruit Class 21-2 and 21-3. Their team raised $48,591 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostPiper Killen, quickly exits the cold water after she and her friend Ben Lupen, right, took part in the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostMarcia Durniat, dressed in a fox costume, stays warm inside a warming tent before heading out to take part in the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostPlungers from CrossFit Wash Park brave the cold water as they take part in the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostDenver police academy recruits from the Denver Police Academy Recruit Class 21-2 and 21-3 jump into cold waters as they take part in the the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostPlungers Carly Stewart, left, and Jessie Goth, right, hold their noses in preparation of hitting the cold water as they take part in the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostDenver police academy recruits and officers from the Denver Police Academy Recruit Class 21-2 and 21-3 wait in line to take part in the the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization. Their team raised $48,591 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostDenver Police Division Chief Ron Thomas braves the cold wearing only shorts as he stands near the pool to watch his recruits take part in the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. Dozens of members of the Denver Police Academy Recruit Class 21-2 and 21-3 took part in this yearÕs plunge. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostAlex Glose, left, and Amanda Adcock wore matching hats to stay warm in the falling snow as they watch people taking part in the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostA plunger from CrossFit Wash Park quickly runs to the warming tent after braving the cold water as she took part in the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostSarah Ellis, center, and her son Topher, 11, hold hands as they jump into the cold water with their Pirate Sharks teammates during the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostLaci Gettings, left, and her friend Kristina Shaw, right, jump into the cold water as they take part in the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostPiper Killen, left, reacts to the cold water after she and her friend Ben Lupen, right, took part in the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostDenver police officer Marcus Black, with his large scars from wounds sustained after being shot on duty last summer, gets out of the frigid water after taking part in the the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization. Officer Black barely survived his injuries and was using the plunge as a celebratory time to jump in the cold water with recruits from the Denver Police Academy Recruit Class 21-2 and 21-3. Their team raised $48,591 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostMarcia Durniat, dressed in a fox costume, tries to stay warm as she waits in line to take part in the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
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Rileigh Adams, center, Annelise Steffensen, right, and her mother Deb, left, who called themselves the Fat Bear Gang, jump into the cold water during the Polar Plunge at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver. The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes. About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. TodayÕs event raised over $135,000 for the organization.
ExpandBy Helen H. Richardson | hrichardson@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
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The Denver Polar Plunge and 5k run at Washington Park on March 6, 2022 in Denver supported Special Olympics Colorado athletes.
About 350 people registered for the run and the plunge. The Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge was presented by Ford and returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners and plungers braved snow flurries and temperatures in the low 20s. The event raised more than $135,000 for the organization.



















