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— JOIN US SEPTEMBER 22

IT MAY NOT BE THE RIVER, BUT WE'RE STILL SWIMMING


It may not be the history-making course we hoped for, but the Chicago River Swim remains committed celebrating our river's rebirth at Chicago's greatest open water destination: Ohio Street Beach.

Countdown to Swim: September 22, 2024

— 100 YEARS AGO 

RIVER SWIMS WERE THE BEES KNEES  


The Chicago River's flow was reversed nearly 125 years ago to draw fresh water from Lake Michigan and clean a polluted river.

To celebrate the waterway's drastic turnaround, the Illinois Athletic Association began hosting a series of open water swims back in 1908.

The river swims attracted the highest-profile swimmers in the world, and more than 100,000 spectators lined the shore. The Chicago River Swims were a jewel in the crown of our young, vibrant city.

River Swim History

Founding Partners

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