POLAR BEAR DIP, 5K RACE TO HELP FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE

 Looking for a feel good adrenaline rush? Be bold in the cold with a plunge into the Atlantic and/or winter jaunt around the East End to support the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s work to reduce climate change pollution.

This year, especially, we have reason to celebrate a clean energy future! The EPA’s new Clean Power Plan will reduce pollution frompower plants nationwide, and these plants account for 40 percent of U.S. carbon pollution. This and the Paris Climate agreement are real steps forward to celebrate with a jump into the ocean! To top it off, December 31 is also the 45^th anniversary of the signing of U.S. Clean Air Act, penned by non other than Maine’s U.S. Senator Edmund Muskie

The bone-chilling fun 5K and dip will take place at Portland’s East End on Thursday, December 31, and dozens of Mainers – from age 9 to 65 – have already registered, including teams such as the United Ginger Alliance, Popsicle Toes, Theraputic Hypothermia, and Les Vikings! It will be fun, with folks in polar bear and other whacky costumes!

The 5k begins at 11:00 and the dip will be at noon – the “warmest” part of the day – at East End Beach! A shuttle will return participants to their cars at Back Cove after the plunge.

ReVision will set up a warming tent on the beach, and there’ll be coffee by Coffee by Design, goodies from Trader Joe’s , tea, hot chocolate and energy bars. This year’s race features solar-powered timing equipment.

To participate, pre-register online at: nrcm.kintera.org/dipdash. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec 31 at the Back Cove parking area (across from Hannaford).

For $35 you’ll be registered, and friends and family can pledge to help raise money to help NRCM curb climate disrupting pollution right here in Maine. Learn more and pledge online at: nrcm.kintera.org/dipdash.

All participants receive a 100% organic US-made event tote, and a SunRise Guide, plus, those who raise:

·        $50 earn a bpa-free, US-made water bottle featuring the event and Mt. Katahdin.

·        $100 earn the water bottle and a cozy event towel.

·        $250 earn a one-of-a-kind commemorative clay polar bear mug hand-made by Randy Fein.

·        $500 earn all that plus a Patagonia sweater.

·        $750 a limited edition, framed polar bear print by D.D. Tyler.

·        $1,000 a weekend mountain bike trip with BackCountry Excursions in Parsonsfield.

·        And, the youngest and oldest participants and age category race-winners receive Lamey Wellehan gift certificates, books by Maine author/illustrator Jamie Hogan, and more.

This year’s Dip & Dash is sponsored by: WCLZ, Lamey Wellehan, Maine Magazine, Lee Auto Mall, East Brown Cow Management, Clynk, Sunrise Guide, ReVision Energy, CPRC Group, Renys, Delorme, Spectrum Medical, Evergreen Home Performance, Back Country Excursions, Patagonia, and Yelp.

   

                  

         

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