UPDATE: On Sunday, February 23, 2025, it was another beautiful sunny day in Warren, CT, for the 40th Annual Lake Waramaug Polar Bear Run! With over 700 participants, this year’s event raised an impressive $10,240 for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. We would like to thank all the participants, sponsors, spectators, and those who donated in person or through the TrailHeads website. We are especially grateful to our friends at TrailHeads, the organizers of this incredible annual event, and to their dedicated volunteers who make it all happen.
Photos by Zoe Bennett
Read more at Lakeville Journal: Warren Polar Bear Run marks 40th year
The Polar Bear Run, the oldest winter race in the state of Connecticut, is a 7.8 mile loop that travels along the shoreline of the breathtaking Lake Waramaug, while passing through the western Connecticut towns of Washington, Warren, and Kent.
Since 2018, the Polar Bear Run has been an all-volunteer event dedicated to raising funds for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. This popular event has raised over $34,000 for Guiding Eyes to date, and is organized by TrailHeads, in Kent, Connecticut, a valued corporate partner of Guiding Eyes. The company designs and markets innovative accessories for runners and outdoor enthusiasts. When Ed Raftery, TrailHeads co-founder, lost much of his vision to a degenerative retinal disease, his personal experience inspired Ed and his wife, Stephanie, to collaborate with Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
The 2024 Polar Bear Run had a record turnout of 607 finishers, raising over $10,000 for Guiding Eyes! Last year’s group of cold-weather warriors included Guiding Eyes staff, graduates, puppy raisers, and supporters. Whether you’re looking for an invigorating winter run or prefer to cheer from the sidelines as a spectator, we hope you’ll join us at the 2025 Polar Bear Run, all in support of Guiding Eyes! Lace up your sneakers and run with purpose as we make a difference for individuals with vision loss, together at Lake Waramaug!
Visit the 40th Annual Lake Waramaug Polar Bear Run website to register or learn more about this cherished tradition!
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (C) (3) tax-exempt organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 13-1854606.
© 2023 GUIDING EYES FOR THE BLIND PRIVACY POLICY | ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
