Summary

Jumping into the freezing water of Utah Lake is definitely worth the experience! I watched hundreds of men, women, and children old and young jump in. It is literally breathtaking, and colder than you can imagine, but the enthusiasm is contagious!
Posted Jan 30, 2024
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Pros
  • Great Location - easy to access, lots of parking
  • Frozen Lake - high elevation of about 4,500 feet
  • River/Lake trail for the 5k run
  • Awesome medals and memorabilia for participants
  • A lot of enthusiasm from participants
Cons
  • 4" ice layer over lake guarantees this is COLD - is that a con? Depends on whether you want an authentic polar plunge!
  • it was difficult getting people on and off the dock for the plunge. It is a narrow walkway, it would be nice to somehow have an on ramp, and an off ramp.

Frigid 5k and Penguin Plunge Review

This 5k run and Penguin Plunge is put on annually by Runtastic Events. They plan and execute large races throughout the state of Utah, including marathons, and half marathons. Their events are well organized, marketed, and put together. I enjoy participating in their races, but I also enjoy volunteering. A pro to volunteering is earning credit to use toward future runs with them.

The plunge occurs after the race, and is optional, though hundreds of people participated. At this point, the sun was shining, but the air was still brisk. Participants walk out on the dock where there is a 10'x10 hole cut through the ice into the lake. A large cage in inserted down in to prevent jumpers from getting lost under the ice or dock. Most participants either wear the shorts they ran in, or some, like me, just strip down quick to their underwear and jump in. 

With the hole in the ice so large (10'x10')the organizers allowed up to 4 people at a time to jump in. This was fun for a lot of groups who ran the race together and then plunged!

Making the plunge

Preparing to jump in! Notice all the people walking on the ice behind me.
Cutting away the ice before inserting the cage
Brrrr...This water is as cold as it can be without freezing
A couple of young guys jump in!

At this event, I was a volunteer. I came and helped cut the hole in the ice, and lower the cage down. I spent a couple hours helping participants prepare for the plunge. When my shift was over, I decided to make the plunge myself. I hadn't planned on participating, but the enthusiasm I had witnessed of so many was contagious. There were still several hundred people in line, but since I was near the front, I decided to just hurry and do it. I had on jogger pants and a shirt and coat. I quickly stripped down to my Runderwear merino wool underwear and jumped in. 

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132
Jason Stucki
Mapleton, Utah
3 Followers
42 Following

I am happily married to my wife Jill, and we have two daughters. I love running, and my goal is to never run less than a 5k d...

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