By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Police officers, costumed superheroes and maybe even a mayor or two will sprint into a frigid lake on Jan. 18 as they raise money for special-needs athletes across the state.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Torch Run organization, along with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Pelham Police Department, will host the “Freezin’ for a Reason” Polar Plunge beginning at 10 a.m. at the Oak Mountain State Park beach.

To register for the event, visit Firstgiving.com/bama/oak-mountain-state-park-polar-plunge, or email soconnor@shelbyso.com or mwilliams@pelhamonline.com.

Polar Plunge participants must raise at least $50 in donations, which will benefit the 136 Alabama Special Olympics athletes who will be competing in the 2014 USA Games in Princeton, N.J. from June 14-21. All participants who take part in the Polar Plunge will receive a T-shirt, but participants who raise more than the minimum amount will receive more prizes.

This year’s event will be the fourth straight Polar Plunge at OMSP, which traditionally draws a large crowd of costumed revelers. Past events have drawn plungers dressed as angels, cats and ducks, and Pelham Mayor Gary Waters took the dip in January 2013 wearing a black suit, a white button-up shirt and an American flag tie.

This year, judges will take note of participants’ costumes, and will hand out awards for the best outfits after the event. Wet suits are not allowed, and costumes must be family friendly, according to event organizers.