Cape Girardeau County Parks Hosts Special Olympics Polar Strut

Cape Girardeau - The 1st Annual Polar Strut 5K Race/ 1-mile walk will take place on December 12, 2025.  Registered Participants from around the area will don Head Lamps and Glow Wear and take a “polar” run through the beautiful Christmas Lights in Cape County Park South and the adjacent neighborhood.  The park will be closed during the race and will finish through the light tunnel at Cape County Park South. Their reason for freezin’ is the athletes of Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO)! All proceeds from this event will benefit training and competition for the thousands of SOMO athletes across the 14 counties that the Southeast Area serves, including those right here in Cape Girardeau.

The Polar Strut is open to anyone who is a fan of having a good time for a good cause. The event is hosted by the Cape Girardeau Police Department and the Cape Girardeau County Parks Department. Registration will take place at Shelter # 20 just past Levi’s playground. Registration is $40.00 for 5K.  1-mile walk is free-shirt is $20.00.  Pre-registration will take place on Thursday, Dec 11, from 5-6 pm at the Osage Centre.  Day-of registration at Cape County Park begins at 6 pm, and the Strut/Race starts promptly at 7 pm-Walk; 7:15-5K

This event is designed for those not interested in the cold water of the February Polar Plunge, SOMO invites everyone out to the Polar Bear Strut! The Polar Strut is another way to show your bravery in the freezing cold! You can run, walk, roll or strut through the cold Christmas air. Whatever works!  Sign up for the Polar Bear Strut on-line at www.plungemo.org.

Age group awards will be presented to Top Overall Male and Female and Top Individuals in their age group. All 5K Strut participants will receive a long-sleeve Strut commemorative shirt and a head lamp.

The easiest and most efficient way to register and fundraise is online. Simply go to your (Link Classy Strut page) to sign up. We encourage Strutters to email their friends and families to support their Strut efforts. Paper registration forms are also available at the SOMO Office 1625 N Kingshighway. Mail or deliver pre-registration forms and the minimum $40 contribution to Special Olympics Missouri Southeast Office, 1625 N Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau MO 63701.

Thank you so much to our sponsors!

Special Olympics Missouri 
Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Thousands of athletes participate in 16 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. SOMO provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their fellow athletes, their family and friends, and communities across Missouri.

SOMO is proud of our financial health, returning 82% of every dollar back to program services. We are privileged to be recognized with these honors: Better Business Bureau A+ Charity Accreditation, Guidestar Gold Level and Charity Navigator 4-star rating. Special Olympics was also recently named Morning Consult’s No. 4 most trusted nonprofit.

Thank you for trusting us with your donations, volunteer time and your goodwill.

Visit Special Olympics Missouri at www.somo.org. Engage with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tik-Tok, Threads, LinkedIn and YouTube.