‘Shamrock splashers’ plunged into Boston Harbor at the 13th annual Shamrock Splash

BOSTON — They ran in and raced out for a dip in the Atlantic Ocean.

The 40-degree water temp and 40-degree air temperature even had Ironman only taking a quick swim. One participant dressed as butter decided to support the effort from the shore.

“Oil and water don’t really go,” said Christian Mateyi, participant.

They took part in Save the Harbor’s 13th Shamrock Splash. Participants compete in a costume contest and jump in at Constitution Beach in East Boston. Boston 25′s Vicki Graf waved at the camera as she made a splash.

“These beaches belong to the people they belong to everyone,” said Chris Mancini, Save the Harbor. Save the Harbor was founded decades ago to clean up the Boston Harbor. “We now have the cleanest urban beaches in the country,” said Mancini.

Saturday’s early afternoon effort was to raise more than $50,000 for the Better Beaches grant program that through the years has invested about 2 million dollars in programs at area beaches.

“This money is going to right back in and we are going to see 200 events from Nahant to Nantasket, camps, festivals.

This year a one-mile race was added. Some participants worked up a sweat with a quick run before

“As long as they’ll have us, we will just slide right in. I really melt for this whole thing,” said Mateyi.

Organizers think this was a record-breaking year as the event raised $56,000.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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