100 MAINERS TO RUN AND JUMP IN OCEAN IN PORTLAND DECEMBER 31

100 MAINERS TO RUN AND JUMP IN OCEAN IN PORTLAND DECEMBER 31 TO HELP FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE,

Portland, Me.- One hundred Mainers from 10 to 76-years-old will be jumping in the ocean at East End beach at noon on New Year’s Eve Day.

Ten of the dippers will be dressed up as a wedding party, including a real bride and groom who will marry this spring accompanied by their entourage. As they say, “We’re taking the plunge before we take the plunge.”

Three of the Mainers, now living in exile in Southern California, will be participating and are likely to be especially shocked by Maine’s frigid winter waters.

There will be LOTS of polar bear costumes, as the two best polar bear costume-clad folks win a prize! We also expect at least one dipper in a Grinch costume.

This feel good adrenaline rush includes a plunge into the Atlantic and a winter jaunt around the East End to support the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s work to reduce climate change pollution. The bone-chilling fun 5K and dip will take place at Portland’s East End Beach on Monday, December 31. The 5k begins at 11:00 a.m. and the dip will be at noon – the “warmest” part of the day! Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. Mon. Dec 31 at East End Beach.

Pre-registration is online at: nrcm.kintera.org/dipdash.

The registration fee is $30, and friends and family can pledge to help raise money and awareness about climate change and what NRCM is doing right here in Maine to curb it. Learn more and pledge online at: http://www.nrcm.org/dipdash.asp.

The first 200 to sign-up for the Dip, the Dash, or both receive a BPA-free water bottle. There are also fun prizes for top finishers, best costume, youngest and oldest participants, and top fundraisers, including Lamey Wellehan gift certificates, hand-made polar bear mugs and hats, books by Maine author/illustrator Jamie Hogan, and more.

And, it will be fun, with folks in polar bear costumes, hot drinks from Coffee by Design, and goodies from Whole Foods too!

To participate in this certified sustainable event (by Athletes for a Fit Planet), pre-register online at: nrcm.kintera.org/dipdash.

This year’s Dip & Dash is sponsored by: WCLZ, Clynk, ReVision Energy, Reny’s, Lee Auto Malls, Robinson Financial, Patagonia, Penobscot Home Performance, Jamie Hogan, Malley Weber, Coffee by Design, Whole Foods, Lamey Wellehan, Back Country Excursions, and other local businesses.