By Tim Kelly
The Polar Bear Plunge weekend in Sea Isle City has become the biggest off-season event in town.
“Not exactly,” clarifies Mike Monichetti, founder of the Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk portion to the festivities, which take place February 16-17. “This is the biggest off-season event throughout the entire Jersey Shore.”
Tens of thousands of plungers, runners, walkers and family and friends descend on Sea Isle in advance of the President’s Day weekend activities. The Run-Walk, which steps off at noon on Sunday the 17
th, has become a huge event in its own right, attracting a record 5,000-plus participants last year.
“When we started doing this (in 2008) we were hoping for a couple hundred people and to raise a few thousand dollars. We’ve come a long way since that first one,” Mike explained.
Monichetti, owner of Mike’s Seafood, a signature business in Sea Isle’s Historic Fish Alley, is the father of two autistic children, a boy and a girl. He has been very active in advancing awareness of autism and fundraising in support of research and those touched by the condition.
He founded the run-walk as an added attraction to the weekend, but mainly to make a difference. Proceeds from the event aid special services schools, autism support groups and families of children with special needs.
It should be noted funds raised by the Plunge itself are not designated to help autism. Participants who support the plunge only sometimes incorrectly assume a portion of their entry fee goes to aid autism, but this is not the case. An entry fee or donation must be paid to the Run-walk in order to do so.
A spectator at last year’s event wears a hat with a jigsaw puzzle design, a symbol of autism.
The message is getting out. Sea Isle has a long history in the running community as home to the Captain Bill Gallagher Island Run, the Firefighters’ Memorial Run and other events that attract some of the top competitors in the Delaware Valley.
Over the last decade, the Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk has joined those elite races and become established as one of the region’s top events.
The competitive and recreational 5K race and a more casual 1-mile fun walk enjoy a unique setting with an out-and-back course on the Promenade and streets of Sea Isle, featuring beach and ocean views and outstanding fan support. It has become a must-do race for serious and recreational runners as well as those taking part in the Walk.
The race and walk attract more people to the weekend’s events, who might not otherwise consider jumping into the ocean in February. Additionally, its noon Sunday starting time accommodates those who wish to plunge
and run or walk.
Age group awards, high-quality T-shirts, post-race buffet and other amenities are included. Unlike other races, there is no additional registration fee for those walking up to register on the day of the event. On-site registration on the day of the event takes place in the heated tents outside the LaCosta Lounge, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30. The starter’s horn goes off at noon.
Following the race, participants, family and friends are invited back to LaCosta’s heated tents for race results, award ceremony, food, music, fun and surprises.
Plenty of non-runners show their support by participating in the Fun Walk division of the event.
“It’s a great atmosphere” of friendly competition, healthy activity and family fun, Monichetti said, while helping to raise awareness of autism and to help fund research to better understand and treat it, as well as to help those affected by it.
It’s not too early to plan to attend the Plunge weekend events, as prime lodging reservations and rentals go fast. To register on-line or for more information on the Mike’s Seafood Polar Bear Plunge Run-Walk, please visit
http://www.polarbearrunwalkforautism.com.
