Sun Run & Solar Plunge

press release: Join us on Saturday, June 19 at Schluter Beach for the Sun Run & Solar Plunge! A morning full of fun for the whole family in celebration of Special Olympics Wisconsin's Young Athletes! 5K runs/walks will be run in waves of 100 people from 8 AM – 11AM. Register for $35 and raise a minimum of $75 to get awesome prizes. We will kick off race day with a FREE Kids Fun Run! Kids rates apply for the 5K races.

8AM to 1PM, Saturday. June 19, 2021, Schluter Beach – 4511 Winnequah Rd, Monona, WI 53716. Free shuttles will be running to and from Schluter Park from the Monona Grove High School parking lot (corner of E. Coldspring Ave. and Monona Dr.).

Schedule

7:00 AM – Registration (packet pickup) Opens

7:45 AM – Kids Fun Run

8:00 AM-2:00 PM – Food Trucks/Activities at Waterman Park

8:00 AM – 5k Wave 1

9:00 AM – 5k Wave 2

10:00 AM – 5k Wave 3

11:00 AM – Plunge only wave

Packet Pick-up

Thursday, June 17 from 4 pm to 7 pm, Ian’s Pizza at Garver Feed Mill (3241 Garver Green Suite 121, Madison, WI 53704)

Friday, June 18 from 3 pm to 6 pm, Fleet Feet Madison (8440 Old Sauk Rd, Middleton, WI 53562)

$35 – includes event T-shirt; $120 – Fun in the Sun 4-pack; 4 registrations + event T-shirts ($20 savings); FREE – Children 4 and under. Raise above $75 to earn awesome summer-themed incentives!

COVID-19 Safety Measures

Your safety is our #1 priority. All attendees will be required to follow state and local COVID safety protocols that include wearing masks and remaining 6 feet apart from other guests not in your household (this will be strictly enforced). In addition, attendees must also follow venue-specific safety protocols.

Additional Info:

• Online registration required (no day-of, in-person registration will be allowed this year)
• Checks/credit cards preferred (cash will be discouraged)
• Guests need to register online one week prior to the event in order to receive a T-shirt day-of (all other items will be distributed after the event)
• Registration closes Friday, 6/18 at 3 PM
• Race results will be shared online after the event

Special Olympics Wisconsin’s newest event will have something for everyone. For the dedicated supporters who missed plunging into icy water this winter due to the COVID-related changes to the Polar Plunge, they’ll be able to make up for it by taking the Solar Plunge into chilly beach water or an icy pool. Participants will also get to run or walk the 5K Sun Run. The cost to participate is $75 for people 11 and up, with $35 due at registration and a remaining balance that can be fundraised through friends and family. Incentives like T-shirts, baseball caps, towels and coolers are available to participants who raise additional funds for the cause.

The events are family friendly, with kids runs, food and socially distant activities for all to enjoy. Children up to four are free and the cost for children five to 10 years old is only $35. There will also be a virtual option so fans will be able to join in the fun and show their support for Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes from anywhere. The Sun Run & Solar Plunge will also celebrate and showcase Special Olympics Wisconsin’s Young Athletes program for children two to 10.

After a year in which Special Olympics Wisconsin couldn’t hold their traditional Polar Plunge due to COVID-19, they’re eager to give fans another opportunity to show support for the 9,000+ athletes across the state. For this new event, Special Olympics Wisconsin is once again collaborating with their mission partners from the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics Wisconsin.

Having helped organize events to benefit Special Olympics Wisconsin like the Polar Plunge for more than 20 years and Run With The Cops for nearly a decade, the LETR have truly established themselves as the plunge and run experts.

“We’re extremely excited at the opportunity to work with Special Olympics Wisconsin on the new Sun Run & Solar Plunge,” said Monona Police Department Community Relations Officer and LETR member, Nate Reynolds. “This new event will be a memorable day for everyone involved.”

With six Sun Run & Solar Plunge locations across the state and a virtual option, there’s something for everyone.

2021 Sun Run & Solar Plunge dates and locations

June 5, 2021: Green Bay (Bay Beach)

June 5, 2021: La Crosse (Black River Beach)

June 12, 2021: Oconomowoc (Roosevelt Park and Lake Country Trail)

June 12, 2021: Oshkosh (Menominee Park & Zoo)

June 19, 2021: Monona (Schluter Beach)

June 26, 2021: Milwaukee (State Fair Park)