The Chicago River will have more than kayaks and boats on the water on Sept. 21 when the Chicago River Swim takes place. | Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
As many as 500 swimmers are expected to dive into the Chicago River next month as part of a fundraiser for ALS research and youth education programs.
By Selena Kuznikov | Chicago Sun*Times
Swimmers will dive into the Chicago River next month for the first open water swim in 98 years.
The Chicago River Swim, slated for Sept. 21, is expected to include 500 swimmers, raise funds for ALS research and youth swimming education programs, and highlight efforts to improve the environment in the city.
Swimmers will be able to opt for a 1-mile or 2-mile route down the main stem of the river, starting at the Dearborn Street Bridge and ending at Clark Street Bridge. The swim starts at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 10 a.m. Spectators will be able to watch the swim along the Riverwalk between Lake Street and Clark Street.
A Long Swim, a Barrington-based organization, is hosting the event, which will benefit ALS research at Northwestern University and swim safety education for children in Chicago. Doug McConnell, founder of the organization, said being able to celebrate the city with the swim is “stuff you dream about.”
“This is a victory lap for the city of Chicago,” McConnell said Thursday.
The fundraising event was going to be held in 2024, but organizers announced the event before they secured the permits for it. When the permits were denied, the event was moved to Lake Michigan.
The organization’s permit for the event this year was approved by the city, but it had not yet been issued as of late Thursday, it said. The city did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the event.
The group is also partnering with the USA Swimming Foundation, and U.S. Olympic swimmer Natalie Hinds will be the featured athlete of the event.
More here.
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