The "coolest" event in the state - the 17th Annual Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics Virginia - raised more than $853,000 (and counting!) at this year's event. The 2009 Polar Plunge took place Saturday, Feb. 7, on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront when 3,270 thrill-seekers braved the chilly Atlantic Ocean wearing nothing but swimsuits and zany costumes. Contest winners are listed below; click here for photo highlights from the event. Special thanks to photographers Thomas Gorman, John Cadell, Ken Teller, Keith Wrenn, Chuck Gerloff and John Malkowski. Note: additional photos are available for purchase on Keith Wrenn's site, www.kwfilmz.com, and Thomas Gorman's site, www.tgormanphotography.com. Don't miss this year's Plunge Cam video by Stephanie Scott - it's the Plunge viewed from a helmet-mounted camera! Also, be sure to check out this year's Plunge photo slideshow! Congratulations to our 2009 contest winners: Division 4 - Art Newsomes, Inc Division 3 -- Howmet Division 2 - (No entries) Division 4 - Virginia Natural Gas Largest Team - Virginia Natural Gas Law Enforcement Torch Run - Largest Team - Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Torch Run - Largest Donation - Prince William County Sheriff's Office Restaurant Challenge - Smokies HB & NN's 2009 Extreme Team Online Fundraising Challenge winners: Proudly sponsored by The Supply Room Companies & Mega Office Furniture 1st place -- Virginia Natural Gas (19,971.50) 2nd place -- Special Olympics Virginia Area 11 ($17,706.44)

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