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44th Annual - Polar Bear Winter Classic

Name: 44th Annual - Polar Bear Winter Classic
Start: 2026-02-28
End: 2026-02-28
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

location_city Indianapolis

location_on Indiana

flag United States

calendar_today 28 Feb, 2026

directions_run Running

language Official Website

About the Event

Saturday, February 28th - Polar Bear Winter Classic

NEW LOCATION! - Fowling Warehouse Indianapolis

SJC Racing is proud to continue the tradition of one of the oldest races in Indianapolis: the 44th Annual Polar Bear Winter Classic.

This year will feature a new location starting from the Fowling Warehouse!

This historic race is strategically placed on the calendar during the second half of February to be the first major road race of the year in Indy. The race offers a unique format including a 5K, 5 Mile or The Bear (5K + 5 Mile) The Bear is the challenge that allows you to run both distances, one after the other, for a total of 8.1 miles.

SWAG - All runners registered before February 1 receive a finisher medal and "Wear the Bear" winter hat. We also have an optional long sleeve and hoodie available as an add on during registration or directly from the race store.

Continuing with tradition, the Polar Bear Winter Classic offers cash prizes. age group awards in all three event distances. Post-race celebration will be inside at the Fowling Warehouse.

Races Offered

5K Run

Feb 28, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

08:30

The Bear (5K + 5 Mile = both races)

Feb 28, 2026

straighten

Distance — 13.05K

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

08:30

Virtual 5 Mile

Feb 28, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5 Miles

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

08:30

Virtual 5k

Feb 28, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

08:30

Virtual Bear (5k + 5 Mile)

Feb 28, 2026

straighten

Distance — 13.05K

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

08:30

5 Mile Run

Feb 28, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5 Miles

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

09:15

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for February in Indianapolis.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat -2.1° / 8.8°

wb_sunny -7.2° / 4.2°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 13.8 /

water_drop 67.9%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat -2.1° / 8.8°

wb_sunny -7.2° / 4.2°

air 13.8 km/h

water_drop 67.9%

About Indianapolis

Indianapolis is the capital of Indiana and also the state’s largest city. Efforts to beautify and modernize the city have brought Indianapolis into the 21st century as a world-class destination for everything from business meetings and trade conventions to backpackers making their way across the States.