Indy Polar Bear Winter Classic

Race photos are live! Amazing work by Timmy Howard

44th Annual Polar Bear Winter Classic / 2026 - Aurora Images Polar Bear Winter Classic 2026 The 44th Annual Polar Bear Winter Classic kicked off race season today with near-perfect running conditions, sunny skies and temps in the 40s made for an ideal late-winter race day in Indy. With a new start and finish at the Fowling Warehouse Indianapolis, runners took...

RACE DAY IS TOMORROW!

Thank you to everyone participating in the 44th Annual Polar Bear Winter Classic featuring a 5K, 5 Miler, or The Bear! It looks like it will be a fantastic morning with cool weather for running & a beautiful afternoon to celebrate after.

We want to thank our NEW LOCATION & official Host Venue The Fowling Warehouse for their partnership and providing such a great space for packet pick up, race day, & the post race party. Also thanks to The Factory Arts District for opening up their parking lot for the event.

Below are all the details you need for the event.

BIB NUMBERS:

We will be doing dynamic bib registration during packet pick up. Please proceed to the appropriate line for the race you are registered for.
PACKET PICKUP TIMES & LOCATIONS:

Friday Feb 27th: Packet pick up times/location: Inside The Fowling Warehouse (1125 E Brookside Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202) 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Saturday Feb 28th: (race morning) Packet pickup is in the same location and open at 7:00 AM. NOTE: You will not be able to get to packet pickup or into the building any earlier
RACE DAY!

7:00 - 8:20 AM Packet Pickup for 5K and The Bear and race day registration. 5 Mile Racers can pick up packets until 8:45 AM
8:30 AM 5K start
9:15 AM 5 Mile start
11:00 AM Post race party at The Fowling Warehouse(Your entry comes with a ticket for one free drink of your choice (beer, Athletic Brewing, or fountain drink)
AWARDS:

Age group awards are three deep for The Bear & will be awarded to AG winners for men & women in the 5k & 5 Mile. You will receive your award at the post race party.
Cash awards will be presented at the post race party also.
5k awards will start to be available at the awards table after the start of the 5 Mile race at 9:15.
PARKING:

RACE DAY RECOMMENDED: Parking will be available in The Factory Arts District lot which will be accessible from Brookside Ave south of 11th Street. Street parking will also be an option in the surrounding neighborhoods but please be courteous.
Friday Packet Pickup: Parking will be available in The Factory Arts District lot.
POST RACE PARTY AT THE FOWLING WAREHOUSE:

The post race party starts as soon as the first 5k participant finishes!
Your race entry provides access to The Fowling Warehouse for the day. Their bar will be open as the 5k concludes so please stay and celebrate your run and cheer for the other participants.
Your bib provides one free drink of your choice (beer, Athletic Brewing, or fountain drink).
Niyyah Coffee will have their mobile coffee cart on site for post race coffee & espresso drinks available for purchase.
Yats will be on site with a special race day menu and options to purchase for refueling after the event. Yats is offering $6 bowls of the following dishes.
Drunken Chicken
White Chili with Chicken
Black Bean Chili with Bacon & Chorizo
BnB (Black Beans & Carmelized Corn) VF GF
RESULTS

Results will be listed on the Polar Bear Winter Classic RunSignup registration page under results and the website.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Additional information including maps, awards, etc can be found on our website here: http://www.indypolarbear.com/
Brookside Avenue south of 12th Street will be closed starting at 5:00 AM race morning. More details on street closures can be found on our website.


We can't wait to see you there!

44th Annual - Polar Bear Winter Classic The 44th Annual - Polar Bear Winter Classic is on Saturday February 28, 2026. It includes the following events: 5K Run, 5 Mile Run, The Bear (5K + 5 Mile = both races), Virtual 5k, Virtual 5 Mile, and Virtual Bear (5k + 5 Mile).

On your mark…
Get set…
Go…and register now!

www.indypolarbear.com

Don’t miss out the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful Saturday morning outside after the last two months of ice and snow in Central Indiana.

Register for this Saturday’s Polar Bear Winter Classic and join your friends and family for either the 5k, 5 Mile, or The Bear! After the run enjoy one free drink and access to The Fowling Warehouse for the post race party!

44th Annual - Polar Bear Winter Classic The 44th Annual - Polar Bear Winter Classic is on Saturday February 28, 2026. It includes the following events: 5K Run, 5 Mile Run, The Bear (5K + 5 Mile = both races), Virtual 5k, Virtual 5 Mile, and Virtual Bear (5k + 5 Mile).

Don’t forget that the Polar Bear Winter Classic offers discounts for Indy Area Run Clubs. 🎟️

Right now the registrations are neck and neck between Fishers Running Club & Carmel Runners Club but Personal Best Training has a slight lead on both!

Not that it’s a competition….🤣

Registration fees increase on Monday, so sign up now to represent your favorite Run Club!

Polar Bear is coming to the roads near/around Brookside Park and Fōwling Warehouse Indy on February 28. If you're in the area, make sure to note the road closures for impact to traffic that morning. Visit www.Indypolarbear.com to learn more message us directly on Facebook

Get your spot today and join This Blonde Runs there!

Winter training is hard. Give it a purpose.

The Indy Polar Bear is just three weeks away with a distance for everyone:
5K
5 Mile
The Bear (5K + 5 Mile)

Stay motivated and finish winter strong. See you on February 28!

44th Annual - Polar Bear Winter Classic The 44th Annual - Polar Bear Winter Classic is on Saturday February 28, 2026. It includes the following events: 5K Run, 5 Mile Run, The Bear (5K + 5 Mile = both races), Virtual 5k, Virtual 5 Mile, and Virtual Bear (5k + 5 Mile).

2025 race photos are in courtesy of Timmy Howard

photos.google.com

We have overflow parking available in Lilly lot 43

Bates-Hendricks Neighborhood Association Please help us get the word out on the road closures for our race on 2/22/2025.

*PRICE INCREASE AND NEW COURSE*

Beat the next price increase by registering before 11:59 PM on February 16.

Due to construction at Lilly, we had to change the course. We were bummed...but this eliminates the grind of a hill through Lilly neae the end, so there is a bright side.

After hundreds of routes plotted, hours of deliberation with the team, communication with our police force team, the city, and our race manager...here is what we have finally landed on.

5k – https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2871879

5 Mile - https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2872802

Register today at www.indypolarbear.com