Residents of Southeastern Connecticut will have three chances to plunge into the frigid ocean waters on New Years Day.

The granddaddy of them all, the annual New Years Day Run and Swim in Groton is celebrating its 50th anniversary. 

This popular event, which has no formal name, sponsoring organization, entry fee, admission form or fundraising requirements, begins at noon Tuesday in downtown Mystic in front of the statue of John J. Kelley, the late Boston Marathon champion and two-time Olympian who was a frequent participant. The statue is located next to Mystic Pizza on West Main Street.

Runners will slowly proceed in a group about 3.5 miles to Esker Point Beach in Noank, where many will jump into the frigid waters of Fishers Island Sound. Some then will run back to Mystic.

The first such New Year’s Day swim took place Jan. 1, 1969, and one of the original participants, Amby Burfoot of Mystic, who also is a former Boston Marathon champion, is expected to be in the field of a couple hundred on Tuesday.

Also at noon on Tuesday, the 19th annual Samaritan Swim to benefit the homeless in the region will be held at Eastern Point Beach in Groton. The event is the largest single fundraiser for Malta, an organization that provides outreach to the homeless and needy.

WCTY will be broadcasting live with morning DJ Shelly Martinez. There will be free refreshments and beverages provided by Starbucks, Paul's Pasta, Panera and more. The pre-party begins at 11a.m. Registration is online at maltaoutreach.org or call Outreach Coordinator, Lori McClain at (860) 271-9892.

The WARM Center 13th Annual Penguin Plunge will also be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at The Windjammer on Misquamicut Beach in Westerly. Registration is available online at warmcenter.org. and is also available beginning at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. There are event t-shirts and a hot lunch for all registrants

Westerly Area Rest and Meals Center has been in existence for 30 years and provides care and services to the homeless and needy by providing affordable housing and assuring supportive services.