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Video: Special Olympics Polar Plunge at Goose Lake

Sporting costumes and gutsy smiles, more than 1,000 people willingly leaped into the frigid waters of Anchorage's Goose Lake on Saturday for the sixth-annual Polar Plunge.

Participants braved freezing temperatures for the event, a fundraiser for Special Olympics Alaska. Organizers were expecting to receive $400,000 in donations to support athletes with intellectual disabilities as a result of the event.

"Where in the world would you rather be today?" said Special Olympics Alaska president and CEO Jim Balamaci, watching the event unfold in a deerskin and red fox fur hat. "Every year, it gets bigger and stronger."

This year's crop of "plungers" included Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen.-elect Dan Sullivan, who jumped in with their families. This was the first time making the plunge for Murkowski, dressed in a work suit and acting on a promise made to Special Olympics athletes last year. Asked how it felt after her plunge, the dripping-wet senator replied, "Refreshing!" with a broad smile.

SEE PHOTOS: 2014 Special Olympics Polar Plunge

Watch this video on Vimeo or YouTube, and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more great videos. Contact Tara Young at tara(at)alaskadispatch.com.

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