The Polar Bear event takes place at the west park, we had a ton of snacks and even free beer after the race. I warmed up by one of the fire pits as I enjoyed the snacks and mingled with the ladies. I signed up on race day so I had to get there early before it was sold out, I arrived around 10:45am. The girl at the registration desk said she only got a few hours sleep last night because on December 31st at 11:45pm she helped out with the New years Eve 5K race, she & the crew had to stick around til all the runners finished the race then clean up the area and lock up the tent, Then on January 1st at 10:am she had to help set up for the Polar Bear event. It's alot of working doing a event like that. The first heat started at 1:PM and the 2nd heat at 1:30pm. I was in the 2nd heat~ IMO the two mile run is too short, they should make it a 5K and then you dive into the icy pools. I was told that before 2012 the Polar Bear Plunge was just a quick dip in the Arkansas River and it was over with. I guess Tatur Racing wanted to make the event longer and add some more thrills to the race so with the apartment complex pools and a jogging trail near by they put the two together and made a bigger event out of the Plunge.