Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, center, braves a chilly Chesapeake Bay with Jim Schmutz, left, president and CEO of Special Olympics Maryland, during the 2024 MSP Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, Md. The Plunge benefits 15,000 Special Olympics Maryland athletes and Unified teammates across the state. (Photo by Steve Ruark for Special Olympics Maryland) (Steve Ruark/for Special Olympics Maryland)

The water temperature was 39.6 degrees, but that didn’t stop hundreds of chilly daredevils from running full speed into the Chesapeake Bay on Saturday afternoon.

Individuals and teams put on bathing suits and costumes and stormed the beach at Sandy Point State Park to run into the chilly water and back. No, they aren’t crazy; they’re just crazy about a good cause.

The Polar Bear Plunge is a fundraising event for Special Olympics Maryland in which people raise or pledge $100 or more to participate in the icy water fun. Those donations allow 15,588 athletes with disabilities to train and compete year round free of charge.

This year, 3,814 people took the plunge. Organizers said the events raised $4,143,621.32 (including sponsorship and a telethon), exceeding the goal of $3.2 million. Every Plunge property (Super, Cool Schools, Police, Corporate and Maryland) outperformed its goal, and all but Maryland Plunge had a record number of plungers, organizers said.

The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one.

Why such cold water? The event was started by officers who belonged to the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The officers wanted to find a unique and new way to raise funds and thought they could get people to donate to the cause if they jumped into cold water.

The plunge was born.

This year the weather wasn’t as cold as it has been in previous years during the plunge, but people still shivered along the shoreline. They did jumping jacks, stretched and hopped on one foot in preparation to hype themselves up to experience the adrenaline rush of dunking their bodies in the near-freezing water.

Costumed participants dance in the lodge ahead of the second plunge of the day. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Hundreds of people gather on the beach before rushing into the icy waters.
Hundreds of people gather on the beach before rushing into the icy waters. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Dan Keenan and Joe Beehrman dress as hula girls for the annual Polar Bear Plunge. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)

Amesha Russell and Jamal Reeves eagerly waited for the gates to open for the 1 p.m. plunge. “This is on my bucket list,” Russell said. She flew from Florida to participate. “She’s just running, and I’m spectating,” Reeves said. “He’s my moral support,” she said.

Dua Lipa songs blasted across the beach, and people dotted the shoreline in costumes. There were superheroes, hula girls, a hot dog and even two ladies with plungers on their heads as an homage to the event. Don’t worry, the plungers were fresh.

The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one.

The plunge even drew a political celebrity. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore splashed into Chesapeake Bay with Jim Schmutz, president and CEO of Special Olympics Maryland.

First-timers didn’t have any troubles taking on the challenge. Rob Aquino said it was “a rush, but once you’re in [the water] it’s fine.” He gave the experience a 10/10. Aquino’s friend Michelle Morris agreed. “Once you’re in it, you’re committed!” she said.

The top fundraising team this year was Mr. Peanuts Frozen Chozen Polar Bear Plunge Team with over $40,000 raised. The team began in honor of “Mr. Peanuts,” aka Ralph Mulligan, who died in 2010. Mulligan volunteered for Special Olympics Maryland for over four decades. Team 98Rock wasn’t far behind Mr. Peanuts with just over $35,000 raised.

Hundreds of people ran into the icy Chesapeake Bay to raise funds for Special Olympics. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Two ladies pose for a photo knee-deep in the water during the plunge. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Gloria McComas wears a plunger on her head in celebration of the annual Polar Bear Plunge.
Gloria McComas wears a plunger on her head in celebration of the annual Polar Bear Plunge. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
(Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The annual Polar Bear Plunge took place at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
A boy dressed as "Elf" yells as he submerges himself into the cold bay.
A boy dressed as "Elf" yells as he enters the cold bay. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
(Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The annual Polar Bear Plunge took place at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. Hundreds of people ran into the icy Chesapeake Bay to raise funds for Special Olympics. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)