Mahomet Polar Plunge, Illinois' Longest-Running, Targets $80,000 and 350 Plungers

Organizers and athletes with Special Olympics Illinois Region I are gearing up for the 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge at Lake of the Woods in Mahomet, set for Feb. 21. The long-running community event is chasing an $80,000 fundraising goal to support athletes across 20 counties, and leaders hope to top last year’s 286 plungers by reaching roughly 350 participants.

Mahomet’s plunge, first held in 2000, holds the distinction as the longest-running polar plunge location in Illinois, a legacy that organizers say fuels local turnout and school participation. Registration on event day will open at 10 a.m., with plungers entering the water at noon. The schedule and visibility make the Mahomet plunge a focal point for the region’s winter fundraising season.

Fundraising incentives are intended to boost donations and registration. Participants who meet certain goals will earn hoodies, beanies and other prize packages, while community groups compete in the Cool School Challenge and colleges vie for the College Cup. Those elements help transform the plunge from a single cold dip into a broader community campaign that involves classrooms, campus groups and law enforcement teams.

Beyond the swim, the event will include post-plunge activities featuring costumes and food, giving families and spectators a warm gathering spot and making the day accessible to more than just the active plungers. That mix of spectacle and support has practical value: it ramps fundraising, increases awareness of Special Olympics programs, and creates volunteer and sponsorship opportunities for local businesses.

For readers considering participation, the event offers a straightforward way to support athletes in the area while joining a community tradition. Returning plungers will find familiar rituals and new incentives, while newcomers get an organized entry point with registration on site and planned gatherings afterward.

As Mahomet pushes toward its target, success will be measured in both dollars and people. Hitting $80,000 and drawing about 350 plungers would expand programming support across Region I’s 20 counties and reinforce the town’s role as a winter fundraising anchor. Expect a lively crowd, creative costumes and plenty of cold-water camaraderie when Lake of the Woods fills with plungers on Feb. 21.