Polar Bear Run

02/20/2026

47 years of tradition vs. the freezing cold… the runners won! 🏆🐻‍❄️

Huge congratulations to the top finishers of the 47th Annual Polar Bear Run! You didn’t just brave the elements—you set the pace.

Overall Finishers:
🐻‍❄️ 5K Top Male Overall: Sean Walker, 17:42.00
🐻‍❄️ 5K Top Female Overall: Jayden Hooper, 20:29.00
🐻‍❄️ 10K Top Male Overall: Cody Henderson, 37:24.00
🐻‍❄️ 10K Top Female Overall: Maria Chavez, 55:18.00

02/18/2026

02/18/2026

We Braved the Cold! ❄️ The 47th Annual Polar Bear Run is in the books!

Huge thanks to the amazing racers who left it all on the course—your energy was unmatched! And to our host and sponsors: thank you for making the 47th Annual Polar Bear Run our best one yet.

See you at the starting line next year, Saturday, February 6th, 2027 🐻‍❄️👟

02/07/2026

What a fantastic turnout for the 47th Annual Polar Bear Run! 🐻‍❄️ We had over 130 participants brave the cold today. A huge congratulations to every runner and walker who crossed the finish line! 🎉

Stay tuned: Race results and more photos are on the way! ❄️🏃‍♂️

Thank you to Bolivar Parks & Recreation for hosting our race!

And a big thank you all of our sponsors!
Premier Event Sponsor - The Marketing Bunch
All Hail PDR
Citizens Memorial Hospital
Goodman Dentistry
Jenni Williams - Flat Branch Home Loans (Beanie Sponsor)
In the Bin Dumpster
Miller's Fine Jewelry
Polk County Health Center
Stellar Real Estate Co.
The Billingslea Family
Yeargain Trucking and Excavating (Bag Sponsor)

02/07/2026

47th Annual Polar Bear Run Street Route.

Did you know that Bolivar's Polar Bear Run is the longest standing continuous road race in southwest Missouri? After 47 years, it's still going strong!

However, this means the race will impact some roadways around town, including:

South Pike Avenue
West High Street
South Lillian Avenue
West Jackson Street
South Barker Avenue
West Maupin Street
South Oakland Avenue
Northwood Street

We're expecting over 125 runners to hit the streets at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7.

If you’re driving in the area around that time, please watch for street barriers, police officers directing traffic, and runners!

02/06/2026

Join us tomorrow for the 47th Annual Polar Bear Run! 🐻‍❄️🐻‍❄️🐻‍❄️

Race Details:
📍 Southwest Baptist University Tennis Court Parking Lot
📋 Registration Pick Up: 8-8:45am in the Student Union
🏁 Race Start: 9:00am

🌟 Registration still available! https://actnowracing.com/events/1103/47th-annual-polar-bear-run?filter_reset=1
🐻‍❄️ 5K: $35 pre-registration/$45 day of race
🐻‍❄️ 10K: $45 pre-registration/$55 day of race

02/04/2026

❄️ A big polar bear THANK YOU to Miller's Fine Jewelry! Thank you for your generous support and making this event possible.

🩵 The Polar Bear Run was created 47 years ago by Charlie Miller, known affectionately as the race’s "Papa Bear." Charlie Miller founded the race to give runners a place to run in the winter months. It grew to be bigger than he ever imagined. Today, the Polar Bear Run is held annually to honor Charlie’s legacy and celebrate Bolivar’s coolest running tradition.

📆 Saturday, February 7th
⏰ 8 - 8:45am Registration Pick Up/ 9:00am Race Start
📍 Southwest Baptist University
🐻‍❄️ 5K: $35 pre-registration/$45 day of race
🐻‍❄️ 10K: $45 pre-registration/$55 day of race
Register Here: https://actnowracing.com/.../47th-annual-polar-bear-run...

Thank you to our host, Bolivar Parks & Recreation and our Premier Event Sponsor, The Marketing Bunch!

02/04/2026

Adam Miller (Miller's Fine Jewelry) is continuing the tradition in honor of his father, Charlie, who started the event 47 years ago. You can be a part of the legacy, too. Register now to join the longest standing continuous road race in southwest Missouri.

🐻‍❄️ https://actnowracing.com/events/1103/47th-annual-polar-bear-run?filter_reset=1