By DEVIN WEEKS

Staff Writer

COEUR d’ALENE — Coeur d'Alene offers New Year's revelers two refreshing options for starting their year anew: the Hangover Handicap 5-Mile Fun Run and the Polar Bear Plunge.

As one of the best-known fundraisers for Tesh, Inc., the Hangover Handicap brings people together on the first day of the year for a winter morning run that benefits the local nonprofit. Tesh is an organization that provides choices and opportunities to people with disabilities of all ages who seek greater self-sufficiency and participation in their community.

This year marks the 43rd annual Hangover Handicap, and Tesh CEO Frances Huffman said it's expected to be one of the warmest.

"Looking back, it probably will be the warmest in at least 10 years and with the least amount of snow," she said. "It has always been frigid."

She said she’s expecting up to 400 runners, walkers and joggers to participate, especially since this year the ground won’t be a sheet of ice.

"Last year was a pretty high attendance and the weather was just decent," she said. "But it's never been 34 degrees; it's always been 12 or 15."

The run begins at 9:30 a.m. on New Year's Day (Wednesday) at 203 E. Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive. Packet pick-up will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Fleet Feet, 511 Sherman Ave. Registration is $25. Online registration cuts off at noon Monday but participants can always register on site.

Huffman said she loves the camaraderie and the groups of friends and families that participate knowing it's a healthy way to start the year.

"People come knowing its New Year's Day, with the anticipation of, 'What’s this year going to be like?'" Huffman said. "There will always be some who say, 'Regardless of what I did last night, this is my day.'"

Once the run is done, many bounce from the Hangover Handicap down to Sanders Beach to add a ritual cleansing to their New Year's festivities.

An unofficial tradition that will be celebrating its 41st year, the Polar Bear Plunge attracts up to 1,000 brave souls who catapult into Lake Coeur d'Alene as the clock strikes noon.

Plungers deck out in everything from straw hats to banana suits as they go for a brisk — and quick — dip into the icy water. As of Thursday afternoon, the lake water temperature was just below 34 degrees.

The original event took place on Thanksgiving 1978, when five Coeur d'Alene High School pals created their own "wild and crazy" stunt and jumped in wearing just their Speedos.

“It was a wild and crazy thing to do,” original Polar Bear Plunger Bryan Riba said in the 40th anniversary Press article.

According to the CDA Polar Bear Plunge Facebook page, good towels and bathrobes are recommended, as well as hand warmers and a water bottle filled with hot water.

"Wrap your towel or bathrobe around the hot water bottle and keep it in your bag/pack. When you get out of the water, squirt the sand off your feet with the warm water (ahhhhh) and slide your now warm and clean toes into some boots. Hand warmers for the walk back to your car."

The checklist also includes hats that cover ears; tennis or water shoes; a change of clothes and shoes; a camera; a bag for wet stuff; crazy hats and wigs; and, of course, Hawaiian leis or Mardi Gras beads to add to the fun. 

Plungers are encouraged to arrive early (about 11:30 a.m.), wear plunge attire under clothes so no changing on the beach is needed, have a dry partner to hold belongings and take photos, don't jump in early and don't dive or somersault, as the water is shallow.

The Polar Bear Plunge is free and open to all who dare.