Chicago River Swim Returns For The First Time In Nearly A Century

The Chicago River will host its first open water swim event in 98 years on September 21, featuring 500 qualified swimmers navigating a one or two-mile course. The swim will start at the Dearborn Street Bridge and end near the Clark Street Bridge, accompanied by a festival along the Riverwalk. Mayor Brandon Johnson praised the event as a significant victory for the city, reflecting decades of effort to revitalize the river. U. S.

Olympian Natalie Hinds will serve as the featured athlete, emphasizing the event's commitment to empowering youth through swim education. Organizers stressed that the swim will only occur if safety standards are met, with data collected prior guiding the decision. This year's event marks a return to swimming in the river, which has been banned since the 1920s due to pollution. Last year's similar event in Lake Michigan raised over $200,000 for ALS research and swim safety programs. Applications for the 2025 Chicago River Swim are open, with selected individuals required to meet fundraising obligations.