Chicago River Swim promises first open-water swim event in 100 years

Key Information:

• What: Chicago River Swim is the first open-water swim event in the Chicago River in more than 100 years
• When: September 22, 2024
• Where: In the main channel of the Chicago River between Wolf Point and State Street. Spectators can watch from the Chicago Riverwalk. 
• Who: 500 swimmers with open-water swim experience

For the first time in more than 100 years, Chicago will host an open-water swim event in the Chicago River. 

The event is spearheaded by A Long Swim, a nonprofit organization which hosts open-swim events to raise money for ALS research. Proceeds of the event will also benefit learn-to-swim programs for at-risk youth around the Chicagoland area.

The Significance of Chicago River Swim

The last time an open-water swim event was held in the Chicago River was in the early 1900s following the 1900 reversal of the flow of the Chicago River. 

Instead of the river’s waste and pollution dumping into Lake Michigan, this incredible engineering feat made Lake Michigan flow into it, creating a naturally self-cleaning system for the Chicago River. 

However, Chicago River Swim affirms that the water quality of the Chicago River has significantly fluctuated throughout the city’s history. By the late 1920s, the river began to get polluted again from local industry waste and runoff. 

Over the last 50 years, there have been major efforts by Friends of the Chicago River to improve the health of the Chicago River through local projects, research, and advocacy. 

Examples of these efforts include a new Illinois EPA permit to minimize sewage and litter, wildlife habitat restoration, and advocacy for “river-friendly development.”

What to Expect at Chicago River Swim

Chicago River Swim will take place on the main channel of the Chicago River between the Loop and River North neighborhoods. The swim route will begin at the Clark Street and Dearborn Bridges, and will loop between State Street and Wolf Point. 

Two swim events will take place during Chicago River Swim, featuring a long course (2-mile loop) followed by a short course (1-mile loop). The long course swim kicks off at 6:45 am. The short course swim begins at 8 am. Both groups will finish swimming by 9 am. 

The Finish Festival which will take place along the Chicago Riverwalk from 7 am to 1 pm. The festival is open to participants, as well as fans and spectators. It’ll include food, music, and an awards ceremony.  

Numerous safety measures have been put in place for Chicago River Swim including lifeguards and emergency responders. Personnel will be monitoring swimmers and the safety of the event closely from the ground and water. Boat traffic will be closed for the event. 

Water quality will be monitored in real-time during the event via joint efforts by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, and the nonprofit organization H2NOW. 

Other organizations like the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee and Friends of the Chicago River will play a part in ensuring that the water quality is safe for swimmers. In the event of bad water quality from weather or other issues, October 6 is scheduled as a backup date. 

How to Register for Chicago River Swim

Chicago River Swim is open to swimmers over 18 years of age with experience in open-water swimming. 500 participants will be selected via a drawing process. 

Applicants must show proof of their participation in an open-water swim event within the last 24 months. They will also be required to fill out a questionnaire about their goals, motivations, and swim history. 

Applications for Chicago River Swim will be open between April 2 and April 28. Participants will be selected between May 6 and May 12. 

Visit chicagoriverswim.org to sign up and get more information.