Monroe's first-ever New Year's Day Polar Plunge event was a success, drawing a crowd of more than 30 people.
The event, which took place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1, at Lake Tye Park (14964 Fryelands Blvd.) in Monroe, consisted of a 5K fun run, followed by a frigid dip into the lake's chilly waters. The Polar Plunge was jointly coordinated by Dr. Nathan Strohm, owner of Monroe Chiropractic and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.
Strohm wanted to provide the community with a fun, family-friendly event, while raising money for the Sky Valley Food Bank and Seattle Children's Hospital.
The event raised approximately $1,000. In addition to a donation from Strohm, the money will cover the event's costs and provide a donation to Seattle Children's Hospital and the Sky Valley Food Bank.
First aid staff was available just in case anyone suffered an adverse reaction to the icy plunge, but fortunately, no one required medical services. Bonfires were burning near the shore, offering participants a convenient place to get warm after the event.
Hot beverages were available and Chef Aaron Brown volunteered to prepare hot food for the event. Brown co-owns the Junction, in downtown Monroe, with his wife, Kimi.
Clearview resident Mark Bordeau was the first person to cross the finish line and plunge into the lake. Bordeau said he'd always contemplated participating in a Polar Plunge-type event, so when he saw that one would -átake place in Monroe, he jumped at the opportunity. A runner for about 30 years, Bordeau was also eager to support the food bank.
He said he thoroughly enjoyed the plunge. "It was great. It was actually warmer in the water than it is out here. The water is warmer than the air temperature,GÇ¥ Bordeau said. "I got sand in my shorts, though.GÇ¥
The air temperature during the Polar Plunge was about 37 degrees.
Some runners opted to finish the 5k without getting wet, while others fully embraced the plunge and completely submerged themselves in the lake. Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas, one of the runners who chose to fully experience the plunge, dove headfirst into the water. He described the brisk swim as "very cold.GÇ¥
"It was colder than I thought it would be,GÇ¥ Thomas said. "It was a shock. I wasn't expecting it to feel like that.GÇ¥
Thomas isn't entirely a stranger to chilly challenges ' he participated in the popular ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in front of City Hall last August. Monroe City Councilmembers Patsy Cudaback, Jason Gamble, Jim Kamp, Kevin Hanford, Kurt Goering and Jeff Rasmussen all helped douse the mayor with a cooler filled with ice water to help spread awareness and fund research for Lou Gehrig's Disease.
Members of both the Monroe and Sultan communities volunteered at the New Year's Day event and cheered on the runners. Polar Plunge supporters included City Councilmember Jeff Rasmussen and his son Kameryn, Fred Meyer Director Jay Jones and many others. Sultan's own Miss Junior National Teenager Claire Sorgen volunteered at the event, helping to direct runners at the north end of the lake with her mother, Gini.
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