27/02/2026
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!
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).
