Sat, Feb 20, 2027

Run for the River 5K and Polar Plunge

Bowman, GA

Opens Jul 31, 2026Annual since at least 2025

About the Run for the River 5K and Polar Plunge

The course runs through a privately owned conservation farm outside town, crossing open fields, patches of hardwood, and stands of long-leaf pine. It starts and finishes on the banks of the Broad River, and the footing shifts with the terrain, so expect uneven ground underfoot rather than a groomed path.

After the race, there is an optional plunge into the Broad River at a sandy beach on the farm property. Proceeds go toward water quality monitoring in the Broad River watershed, which gives the cold-water finish its purpose.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2026 results, this is a small, friendly field, and the field is fairly quick, so expect a competitive front.

3.1 Miles · 2026 results

22finishers

23:21winner

34:05median

1:02:15cutoff

Top 3: Josh Williams (23:21) · Ernesto Ornelas (24:53) · Hal Steed (25:35)

The Run for the River 5K and Polar Plunge has been held every year since at least 2025. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 3.1 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

3.1 Miles2/20/2027 12:00$35

Group Polar Plunge Only2/20/2027 13:15$25

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

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Common Questions About the Run for the River 5K and Polar Plunge

Will I finish last at the Run for the River 5K and Polar Plunge?

Almost certainly not. Half the 3.1 Miles field finished slower than 34:05, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:02:15, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Run for the River 5K and Polar Plunge a good first 3.1 Miles?

It is a small race (22 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 3.1 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Run for the River 5K and Polar Plunge?

The 3.1 Miles winner ran 23:21 while the median finisher took 34:05. That spread points to a relatively quick field, so expect a competitive front end.