Lake Waramaug Polar Bear Run
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Event details
The 41st Annual Lake Waramaug Polar Bear Run takes place on February 22, 2026, in Warren, Connecticut. The event is organized by Polar Bear Run, Inc., a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. The main distance is 7.8 miles, a loop around Lake Waramaug that passes through the towns of Washington, Warren and Kent. The race is powered by more than 75 volunteers and is limited to 700 participants. Walkers are offered an early start option. Race number pick up is available at Hopkins Vineyard the Friday before the event and on race day at Hopkins Vineyard.
Course, awards and beneficiary
The course travels counterclockwise along the lake shoreline and is primarily flat with a few gentle rolling hills. The final 0.2 miles ascend Hopkins Hill to the finish at Hopkins Vineyard. Parking is available in several lots near the intersection of North Shore Road and Hopkins Road; registration takes place at Hopkins Vineyard. Awards are given to the top three male and female finishers; the overall winners receive a TrailHeads gift card and a bottle of wine from Hopkins Vineyard. Age group awards are presented to the top three in each category: 18 & under, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 & over. The event’s beneficiary is Guiding Eyes for the Blind; the Run has raised $45,089 for that organization since 2018. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.