Latest news with #ChicagoRiverSwim
Time Out
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Time Out
You can officially swim in the Chicago River for the first time in 100 years
Pack your goggles, Chicago—for the first time since the Roaring Twenties, you can legally take a dip in the Chicago River. On Sunday, September 21, 500 swimmers will plunge into its green-tinged waters for the Chicago River Swim, an open-water race nearly a century in the making. The last sanctioned swim here happened in 1926, before decades of sewage and industrial pollution made the idea of a mid-loop backstroke… inadvisable. Since then, the river's transformation, powered by the Clean Water Act, restoration projects and relentless local advocacy, has turned it into a surprisingly inviting urban waterway. It's now home to nearly 70 species of fish, beavers, turtles and, for one morning this fall, a small army of humans in swim caps. The race will start at the Dearborn Street Bridge, wind east toward State Street, loop back west to Lake Street, and finish near the Clark Street Bridge. Two distances are on offer—one mile and two miles—and participants must be experienced open-water swimmers, triathletes or Olympians (no casual dog-paddlers allowed). Safety is a top priority. More than 100 personnel, including 40 lifeguards, will patrol the route on kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis and boats. Swimmers will wear GPS trackers, the U.S. Coast Guard will close the course to other vessels and daily water-quality testing will continue right up to race day. If bacteria levels spike, the swim could be postponed or canceled. The event is also a fundraiser. Proceeds will go toward ALS research at Northwestern University, youth swim education in underserved communities and programs aimed at closing the racial gap in swim access. Featured athlete Natalie Hinds, a U.S. Olympic bronze medalist, says the mission is personal: 'I care deeply about water safety, broadening access to swimming, and preventing drownings through community outreach and education.' For spectators, the Riverwalk between Lake and Clark streets will turn into a festive viewing area, with food, drinks and a VIP party for those who want a fancier vantage point. Applications to swim are open through 10pm Monday and there's no fee to throw your swim cap in the ring—just be ready to raise funds and meet the event's rigorous qualifications.
CBS News
08-08-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
After false starts, Chicago River Swim set to go ahead next month
Next month, 500 swimmers will take off on a one- or two-mile swim in open water for the Chicago River Swim. It is a test of endurance and strength, and so was the years-in-the-making effort to get the permit. Organizers tried to hold the swim last year, but it didn't pan out. Stop by the Chicago River on a summer day, and you'll find plenty of kayakers, architectural cruise boats, and people snapping photos and making memories. But swimming, let alone organized swimming in the Main Branch of the Chicago River downtown is not a common sight. But it could become an event like Bike the Drive or the Chicago Marathon. "You know, there's only one day a year I can run down Clark Street, and only one day a year that I can ride my bike on Lake Shore Drive," said Chicago River Swim organizer Doug McConnell. Saturday, Sept. 21, will be the first time in 95 years that the Chicago River will host an official open swim. After years of false starts, they are making space for 500 experienced open-water swimmers to take the plunge. "With a field of 50, we had almost three times that many applications," said McConnell, "so I feel like there's, you know, a curiosity factor if nothing else." There is curiosity for sure, and skepticism for some. The idea is a splash from the past, but one that hasn't been possible until recently. "Frankly, it makes me want to cry," said Friends of the Chicago River executive director Margaret Frisbie. In her 25 years with the Friends of the Chicago River, Margaret Frisbie said she has seen a huge improvement in water quality. "The Chicago and Calumet River system frankly was fenced off. It was polluted," said Frisbie. "On average, I used to be sewage in the river every three days." Organizers say the group Current has real-time sensors monitoring the water now, and they are partnering with University of Illinois Chicago researchers to test the water in for three weeks before the event." Organizers will work with the City of Chicago and the U.S. Coast Guard to close a portion of the river to commercial traffic the morning of the event. The course will be monitored by a hundred people on kayaks, paddleboards, and boats. "We've committed to the swimmers into the city that we're not going to allow swimmers into water that is not safe," said McConnell. Applications are already open, but organizers are only accepting swimmers who can prove they have participated in other open water swim events before. Money raised will benefit ALS research and kid swim safety programs.
Axios
07-08-2025
- Sport
- Axios
Chicago River Swim approved for 2025
Organizers of the Chicago River Swim say they are ready to jump back in this September after permits were denied last year. Why it matters: After decades of industry neglect and even more decades of cleanup, organizers say the swim will celebrate the city's environmental progress, while raising money for swim education programs for Black and Brown youth. The race will also raise funds for ALS research. The latest: Organizers from the group A Long Swim say the city has approved the 2025 Chicago River Swim for Sept. 21, marking the first open water swim in the Chicago River in 98 years. "Swimmers in the water demonstrates to the city, the region and the world that Chicago cares about its people, the environment and its water resources," Friends of the Chicago River's Margaret Frisbie said in a statement. Flashback: Last year, nearly 1,200 people applied to take part in the swim after it was announced. What they're saying:"The return of the Chicago River Swim marks a major victory for our city — a testament to decades of hard work revitalizing our river," Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. "This event is a celebration of Chicago's progress and a brighter, more inclusive future." How it works: 500 qualified swimmers will be selected to participate in the swim, which will start at the Dearborn Street Bridge heading east to State Street and then turning around to go west to Lake Street, before turning again to conclude at the Clark Street Bridge. Interested participants can apply here.
Cision Canada
07-08-2025
- Sport
- Cision Canada
CHICAGO RIVER SWIM APPROVED FOR HISTORIC RETURN THIS SEPTEMBER
First Organized Swim in Nearly a Century will Raise Funds for ALS Research and Youth Swimming Lessons WHAT: Open Water Swim in the Main Stem of the Chicago River WHEN: September 21, 2025 | 7:00AM – 10:00AM WEBSITE: CHICAGO, Aug. 7, 2025 /CNW/ -- The City of Chicago has officially approved the 2025 Chicago River Swim, the first organized open water swim in the river in nearly a century. Scheduled for Sunday, September 21, the event will highlight the city's environmental progress while raising funds for ALS research at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and youth swim safety education in underserved communities. "The return of the Chicago River Swim marks a major victory for our city—a testament to decades of hard work revitalizing our river," says Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. "I commend the organizers for their commitment to safety and dedication to empowering Black and Brown youth through swim education. This event is a celebration of Chicago's progress and a brighter, more inclusive future." Five hundred qualified swimmers will participate in the one- or two-mile swim along the river's main stem, starting at the Dearborn Street Bridge. The event is produced by nonprofit A Long Swim, founded by world-class open-water swimmer Doug McConnell. "This is more than just a swim—it's a tribute to Chicago's roots and a testament to the power of perseverance," says McConnell. "After 13 years of dedicated collaboration, we are deeply grateful to the City of Chicago for its support and commitment to restoring the river's beauty and vitality. This event is proof of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision." Over the past several decades, the Chicago River has transformed from a heavily polluted channel to a vibrant industrial waterway. Key advancements include stronger environmental regulations, improved wastewater treatment, and reduced sewer overflows by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Water quality is now monitored in real time through H2NOW Chicago, led by innovation hub Current. Improved conditions have encouraged the return of fish, birds, and other aquatic life. Investment in the Riverwalk has further revitalized the riverfront into a cultural and recreational destination. Nonprofits like Friends of the Chicago River have played an integral role in this transformation. "Swimming in the Chicago-Calumet River system is more than for recreation," said Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River. "Swimmers in the water demonstrates to the city, the region and the world that Chicago cares about its people, the environment and its water resources, and that Chicago is a leader in recognizing the considerable role our rivers can play in public health and a climate resilient future." CRS is also partnering with the USA Swimming Foundation and will feature 2020 Olympian Natalie Hinds, a 20-time All-American and Olympic bronze medalist. Safety remains the top priority. Organizers are collaborating with MWRD, the University of Illinois Chicago and Current on water quality testing, which will provide near real-time data leading up to and during the event. Over 100 trained safety personnel—including kayakers, paddle boarders and boat crews—will monitor the course. Additional safety measures include autonomous buoys, GPS tracking and in-water timing systems. The U.S. Coast Guard will close the river to all vessel traffic, and Riverwalk access will be restricted to designated viewing areas. CRS will only proceed if water quality and safety conditions meet rigorous standards. If conditions are unsafe, the team is prepared to delay or cancel the swim.
Chicago Tribune
07-08-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
City OKs permit for first Chicago River open-water swim in a century after snag last year
Before hundreds of swimmers are set to jump into the Chicago River in September, organizers and advocates say they are taking a 'victory lap' of their own. On Thursday, organizers said the city of Chicago approved the final permit for the first official open-water swim to take place in its urban waterway in almost a century. It comes after 13 years of planning, and after last year's event had to be relocated to Lake Michigan when, just two months out, transportation officials denied a permit citing safety concerns. 'This is, really, a long time coming,' said Doug McConnell, organizer of the Chicago River Swim and founder of A Long Swim, an area nonprofit that will produce the event to fund Northwestern University research for ALS, a fatal neurological disorder known also as Lou Gehrig's disease. 'It's been a lot of pick-and-shovel, hard work, and people really dedicated to a common goal and outcome.' To address safety, organizers said they will deploy over 100 safety personnel — with 40 lifeguards, or one for every seven swimmers — to monitor the course on kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis, rowboats and power boats. Participants will also wear an electronic GPS chip on their ankles and autonomous buoys so that organizers can account for their position on the course, which the U.S. Coast Guard will close to vessels. Riverwalk access will also be limited to specific areas. On Sept. 21, from 7 to 10 a.m., 500 Olympic, triathlon and open-water swimmers from around the world will participate in either a 1-mile or 2-mile race that will kick off at the Dearborn Street Bridge and head east to State Street, then back west to Lake Street. The finish line will be near the Clark Street Bridge. 'Our goal is to have the swim started, completed, done, wrapped up and everything by the time the commercial day starts on the river,' McConnell said. 'The tour boats and the architecture boats and the kayaks and all the rest — we don't want to be in their way.' Applications for the swim are open to the public at until Monday at 10 p.m. There is no fee to apply, but prior experience as an open-water swimmer, Olympian or triathlete is required. Those selected to participate will be notified of their acceptance. The day of the race, spectators will be able to watch and follow along from the Chicago Riverwalk between Lake and Clark streets, where vendors will offer refreshments. Tickets will also soon be available for purchase for an official VIP viewing party. Like last year, the event will raise money to pay for swim lessons for kids in underserved local communities. And this time, advocates say, it will also be an opportunity to celebrate the river's bounce back from murky and polluted to inviting, swimmable waters that teem with aquatic life. 'Now is the time to fly that banner,' McConnell said. The river is the cleanest it has been in a long time, especially since the Clean Water Act of the early 1970s and since the Environmental Protection Agency declared the river safe for swimming in 2011. 'So this, really, is the natural next step for what's right for Chicago, what's right for the Chicago River, and what's right for the people who live here,' said Margaret Frisbie, executive director of advocacy nonprofit Friends of the Chicago River. Today, the waterway is home to a thriving economy and restored wildlife, including migratory birds, beavers and turtles, as well as almost 70 species of fish — up from fewer than 10 in the 1970s. 'A lot of them are native fish, and I like to talk about how the native fish are pretty picky about what they enjoy, from a water quality standpoint,' said Austin Happel, research biologist at the Shedd Aquarium. 'Seeing a ton of native fish really speaks to the increase in health of the ecosystem.' While most of his work focuses on studying wildlife — specifically fish and how they move and behave in the Chicago River — Happel also gets to hear from people and learn how they interact with the environment. In the early 20th century, the Chicago River Swim was an annual event that drew thousands of spectators'All of these recreational activities are bringing people to a natural resource,' he said, 'and the more attention and the more people that use that natural resource, the more capacity we have and the ability to fight, to protect and restore it.' Organizers will still keep a close eye on bacteria levels in the river — another main focus of swimmer safety. Besides real-time water quality monitoring that the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and local water innovation hub Current already carry out in the main branch of the river, scientists from the University of Illinois Chicago will test the water for bacteria levels every day for three weeks leading up to the event, McConnell said. In the news release, organizers said they are committed to allowing swimmers in the river 'only if it meets all safety standards for human contact.' 'Data collected in the lead-up to the event will guide the final call, and the team is prepared to postpone or cancel the swim if necessary,' according to the statement. In Chicago, heavy rains can cause overflows in its sewer system, with pipes that carry both stormwater runoff and sewage, releasing fecal matter into local waterways. Rains can also transport contaminated sediment from industry and even dog poop, which also has fecal coliform — the bacteria found in waste from warm-blooded animals. Drinking or coming into contact with elevated levels of fecal coliform may cause an upset stomach, vomiting, fever or diarrhea in people. It can also cause serious conditions or death in vulnerable populations such as children, older people and immunocompromised individuals. Some of these concerns about bacteria have recently played out on an international stage. Last July, the open-swimming competitions of the Paris Olympics were held in the iconic Seine River after initial contention and canceled test runs due to water quality concerns. After competing, many of the athletes experienced symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. But water quality readings in the Chicago and Calumet rivers last summer showed that conditions remained good or low-caution for recreational users on 78 of 101 days, according to a Current report released in May. The other 23 days last summer had high caution readings that lasted anywhere from one to 24 hours, only four of those corresponding with sewer overflows. Earlier this month, three new swimming sites opened on the Paris riverbank for locals and tourists after a $1.5 billion cleanup project. Taking a dip there had been illegal since 1923 due to pollution and river navigation. 'I think there's a global surge in interest in swimmable urban rivers,' said Alaina Harkness, CEO of Current. 'To have Chicago front and center, bringing a river swim back — it's just such an important way for us to showcase all the investment over decades (in) making our river safe to swim.' President Donald Trump promises clean water. His proposed budget guts needed from Friends of the Chicago River, said in a Wednesday news release that swimming in the waterway is about more than just recreation. 'This is opening the door to a whole new way of using the Chicago River,' she told the Tribune. In the statement, she said hosting the historic event 'demonstrates to the city, the region and the world that Chicago cares about its people, the environment and its water resources and that Chicago is a leader in recognizing the considerable role our rivers can play in public health and a climate resilient future.' This year, the event will host 2020 Olympian Natalie Hinds of USA Swimming, who earned a bronze medal in Tokyo. As an athlete ambassador for the team's foundation, she said she feels aligned with the event's mission to raise money and fund swimming lessons for children whose families cannot afford them. 'I care deeply about water safety, broadening access to swimming, and preventing drownings through community outreach and education,' Hinds said in the news release. 'Partnering with an event that champions local learn‑to‑swim programs in Chicago is both inspiring and deeply meaningful to me.' Black and Hispanic people are less likely to know how to swim than any other racial or ethnic groups in the United States. Experts have found that even a few lessons can significantly decrease the risk of drowning, McConnell said. 'The return of the Chicago River Swim marks a major victory for our city — a testament to decades of hard work revitalizing our river,' Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in the news release. 'I commend the organizers for their commitment to safety and dedication to empowering Black and Brown youth through swim education. This event is a celebration of Chicago's progress and a brighter, more inclusive future.'
