While you were taking a hot shower and wishing patio weather would arrive already, 5,000 Chicagoans took an icy dip in the lake. Yesterday’s Chicago Polar Plunge sprinted, skipped and shrieked its way into Lake Michigan to raise money for Special Olympics Chicago. It may have felt relatively warm out yesterday (y’know, for winter in Chicago), but according to the National Weather Service, the waters of Lake Michigan were a frigid 38 degrees. So, not exactly a dip in a hot tub. The annual event is the organization’s fundraising centerpiece, but the campaign runs through the end of March. Plungers have raised over $1.5 million for Special Olympics already—not too shabby at all. Check out our best photos from yesterday’s beachfront bonanza.
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan