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.
As Mayor Brandon Johnson put it, the return of the swim “marks a major victory for our city” and for the Chicago River, which has gone from industrial back alley to center-stage swim lane in less than a lifetime.