Indiana · 5K · 5 Mile · The Bear (5K + 5 Mile)
Polar Bear Winter Classic
Polar Bear Winter Classic is a 5K, 5 Mile and The Bear (5K + 5 Mile) event held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Its next confirmed date is Saturday, February 27, 2027. About 800 runners take part across all distances.
- Race day
- February 27, 2027
- Location
- Indianapolis, IN
- Field size
- ~800 runners
Race details
- Date
- Saturday, February 27, 2027
- Location
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Distances
- 5K, 5 Mile, The Bear (5K + 5 Mile)
- Field size
- About 800 runners
- Course
- Flat
- Registration
- indypolarbear.com
- Official website
- indypolarbear.com
Registration, course & weather
- Registration status
- Open
- Entry fee
- Listed fee for the longest distance, $40 (from indypolarbear.com, checked October 5, 2026)
- Start time
- 8:30 AM EST
- Course profile — 5K
- Loop course; Road surface
- Course profile — 5 Mile
- Loop course; Road surface
- Typical race-day weather
- about 41°F at the start, 69% humidity, 5 mph wind (based on the 2026 race day, measured near the city center rather than the exact start line; Open-Meteo, checked October 5, 2026)
About the Polar Bear Winter Classic
A historic late-winter Indianapolis road race offering a 5K, 5-miler, or both combined as 'The Bear' to kick off the local racing season.
Rankings and notes
- Rankings and awards
- 45th annual; Indy's first major road race of the year, hosted by Indy Runners
More 5Ks in Indiana
Coming up next, by confirmed date.
More races in Indianapolis
More upcoming races in Indiana
Keep exploring
- All races in Indiana
- 5Ks in Indiana 146 upcoming races
- 10Ks in Indiana 27 upcoming races
- Half Marathons in Indiana 24 upcoming races
- Marathons in Indiana 12 upcoming races
- Running in Indianapolis 31 upcoming races
- 5Ks in the United States 6,420 upcoming races
- February races in Indiana
- 5Ks in Ohio 211 upcoming races
- 5Ks in Michigan 216 upcoming races
- 5Ks in Illinois 190 upcoming races
- 5Ks in Kentucky 97 upcoming races
Guides from the RaceRove blog
- 7 min read How to Find a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon or Marathon Near You A practical way to find running races near you: pick a distance, decide how far you'll travel, read the listing properly and confirm the details before you register.
- 8 min read How to Choose the Best Half Marathon for a PR, Racecation or 50-State Challenge The best half marathon depends on what you want from it. How to choose a course for a personal record, a race worth travelling for, or an efficient stop on a 50-state challenge.
- 4 min read Diplo's Run Club 2026-27: Every City, Date and Course Diplo's Run Club is a 5K with a post-race concert. Every US date for 2026-27 (San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, San Diego and Phoenix), start times and courses.
- Blog All guides Planning advice for finding, choosing and travelling to races.
Polar Bear Winter Classic: common questions
- When is the Polar Bear Winter Classic?
- The next confirmed date is Saturday, February 27, 2027.
- Where is the Polar Bear Winter Classic held?
- In Indianapolis, Indiana.
- What distances does the Polar Bear Winter Classic offer?
- 5K, 5 Mile and The Bear (5K + 5 Mile).
- How many people run the Polar Bear Winter Classic?
- About 800 runners across all of its distances. That figure is an estimate of the field size, not an entry cap.
- How do I register for the Polar Bear Winter Classic?
- Registration is handled by the organiser at indypolarbear.com. Entry fees, caps and deadlines are set there.
- Is registration open for the Polar Bear Winter Classic?
- Yes — registration is open. Listed fee for the longest distance, $40 (from indypolarbear.com, checked October 5, 2026).
- What time does the Polar Bear Winter Classic start?
- 8:30 AM EST.
- What is race-day weather usually like at the Polar Bear Winter Classic?
- about 41°F at the start, 69% humidity, 5 mph wind (based on the 2026 race day, measured near the city center rather than the exact start line; Open-Meteo, checked October 5, 2026).
Plan this race in RaceRove
Save it to your plan, compare it with other races, check typical race-day weather and track your 50-state progress in the interactive app.