Special Olympians Take Polar Plunge To Prepare For Race For Inclusion In New Port Richey

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Special Olympics Florida athletes took the Polar Plunge Sunday at Adventure Island in Tampa to kick off the Race for Inclusion that takes place Saturday in New Port Richey.

Special Olympics athletes plunged into chilly waters during the annual plunge to support nearly 60,000 Special Olympics Florida athletes.

Among those participating in the "freezin' for a reason" event were Pinellas County resident Paige Kroupa, a longtime Special Olympics Florida athlete and champion fundraiser; Mary Frances Smith of Hillsborough County, the 2022 Athlete of the Year and Global Messenger; and Citrus County resident Kyle Muzina, the Athlete Leadership Council representative.

The Race for Inclusion is a Special Olympics Florida’s challenge to build a world of inclusion for those with intellectual disabilities through a series of race events across Florida.

It takes place in 10 locations throughout Florida including during the Chasco Fiesta in New Port Richey April 1 at the New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatics Center, 6630 Van buren St., starting at 6:30 a.m.

The event features at 5K and a 1-mile fun run. To register, click here.