— WHO'S READY FOR THIS!?

On behalf of the event team and A Long Swim, we are proud to welcome you to the Chicago River Swim weekend! This will be another historic moment for the city—and equally meaningful for our beneficiaries: ALS research and youth learn-to-swim programs.

Before the weekend begins, please review the details below. We look forward to seeing some of you at The Big Jump on Friday morning, and the rest of you at the Westin River North for Athlete Briefings and Packet Pick-Up. 

Here we go!

 

CHICAGO RIVER SWIM WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Friday, September 18, 2026
Westin River North - Grant Park Room: 320 N. Dearborn St, Lower Level

• 12:00 PM   Packet Pick-Up Opens
• 12:15 PM   Athlete Briefing
• 1:15 PM     Athlete Briefing
• 2:15 PM     Athlete Briefing
• 3:15 PM     Athlete Briefing
• 4:15 PM     Athlete Briefing
• 5:15 PM     Athlete Briefing
• 5:30 PM     Packet Pick-Up Closes (will remain open for the last briefing)

Saturday, September 19, 2026
Westin River North - Grant Park Room: 320 N. Dearborn St, Lower Level

• 10:00 AM   Packet Pick-Up Opens
• 10:15 AM   Athlete Briefing
• 11:15 AM   Athlete Briefing
• 12:15 PM   Athlete Briefing
• 1:15 PM     Athlete Briefing
• 2:15 PM     Athlete Briefing
• 3:15 PM     Atlete Briefing
• 4:00 PM     Packet Pick-Up Closes

Sunday, September 20, 2026
Chicago Riverwalk: 55 W. Wacker Drive

• 5:00 AM      Volunteer Check-In Opens (State St @ Wacker Dr)
• 5:30 AM      Athlete Check-In Opens (Dearborn St @ Wacker Dr, wristbands required)
• 5:30 AM      Chicago River Closed to all Vessel Traffic
• 6:30 AM      Opening Ceremony Begins (Tiny Tapp)
• 7:00 AM      Event Start: 2-Mile Swim
• 7:30 AM      Finish Festival Opens @ River Theater
• 8:15 AM      Event Start: 1-Mile Swim
• 9:15 AM      All Swimmers Finished (estimate)
• 9:30 AM      Awards Ceremony @ River Theater
• 10:00 AM    Chicago River Opens to Vessel Traffic
• 10:30 AM    Finish Festival Concludes
• 10:30 PM    Post Race Party @ Chicago Brewhouse (11 E. Riverwalk)
• 3:00 PM      Post Race Party Concludes

 

WATER QUALITY

Water testing began in early September at each bridge along the swim course. Experts from the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago have confirmed that results remain well within safe limits for swimming.

The latest lab results will be posted on the Water Quality page late this week.

 

PACKET PICK-UP PROCESS (Friday & Saturday)

All registered participants must attend one mandatory 20-minute Athlete Briefing before receiving their event packet and goodie bag. Packets must be picked up in person at the Westin (no proxies) and a government-issued photo ID is required.

At Packet Pick-Up, athletes will receive:

• Event wristband – must be worn throughout the weekend

• Temporary tattoos – to be applied to shoulders and hands before arrival

• Family wristbands – for access to the Athlete Venue, if needed

• Personal swim buoy – required during the swim

• Swim cap – required during the swim

• Plush swim robe (with check number) – strongly recommended for all Sunday activities

• Plastic bag – for wetsuits or other wet gear

• Timing Chip - will be issed in avance, must be worn on Sunday

• Athlete SWAG bag – with assorted goodies

• Commemorative participant pin(s)

 

EVENT MORNING CHECK-IN (Sunday)

Certain sections of the Chicago Riverwalk will be restricted during the event. All athletes (and family members with a wristband) must check in with security at Dearborn Street and Upper Wacker Drive.

From there, athletes will proceed downstairs to the Wendella Athlete Vessel for Gear Check, restrooms, snacks and space to relax. There will also be a Solutions Desk for participants who need to declare a last-minute change to their wetsuit or non-wetsuit status, or a distance downgrade (2-mile to 1-mile) -- important for awards. Otherwise, there is no need to stand in line or formally check-in on Sunday morning.

The Athlete Vessel is a secured area for athletes and staff only. Family members may gather near City Winery but will not have access beyond the State Street or Dearborn Street bridges (crossing is available only at street level).

As a reminder, all athletes MUST have these items in order to swim:

• Swim Cap: signifying distance
• Wave Number: written on the swim cap
• Timing Chip: must be worn on either wrist
• Personal Swim Buoy: specifically numbered, must be worn during the swim

The Athlete Venue will include a variety of services, including:

• Changing tents
• Restrooms
• Light snacks: bananas, granola bars, etc.
• Beverages: INFINIT nutrition sports drink and water
• Gear Check: for any equipment not needed for the swim (no bikes please, but keep your robes)!
• Additional restrooms will be availble along Upper Wacker Drive (between Dearborn and State Streets).

After getting organized, athletes may check their bags (either the event-issued athlete bag or a personal bag) with the Gear Check volunteers. Please keep with you:

• Robes

• Goggles

• Swim cap

• Personal swim buoy

• Any special needs items (inhalers, glasses, etc.), which can be placed on the Special Needs Table before entering the water

Throughout the morning, announcers will provide updates and timelines within the Athlete Venue. Athletes will then be escorted to the Swim Start:

• 6:20 AM – 2-Mile athletes corral and move to Swim Start (for the Opening Ceremonies)

• 7:55 AM – 1-Mile athletes corral and move to Swim Start

 

SWIM WARM UP

There is no swim warm-up available.

 

OPENING CEREMONY

2-Mile athletes and spectators should plan to assemble in front of the Tiny Tapp by 6:30 AM when the event formally begins (1-Mile athletes are welcome to relax in the Athlete Venue, or with family in front of the Tiny Tapp). A welcome program, including commentary from key dignitaries, will be held on the main stage and conclude with a check presentation and the National Anthem. 

 

SWIM START PROCESS

All athletes will be pre-assigned a wave number and corresponding start time, relative to swim distance, expected pace, gender and/or wetsuit preference. Waves will consist of approximately 40 people each. Prior to the Opening Ceremony, Wave #1 (2-Mile) participants will be asked to make their way toward the Swim Entry area for staging. Once the ceremony concludes, this group will be quickly escorted into the water for the start.

Waves will be called to the Swim Entry as previous waves release. While in that area, staff and volunteers will check robes at the shoreline and provide a final safety check of swim caps, timing chips, tattoos, and personal swim buoys.

Each wave will be held until the Swim Course Team gives the OK to enter the water and proceed to the two Start Buoys (approximately 20 yards off shore) to wait for the horn blast that starts each group. The preliminary Swim Start timeline for each wave is listed below (subject to change):

• 2 MILE 
  • Wave 1:  7:00 AM:   in-water start on the horn
  • Wave 2:  7:04 AM:   in-water start on the horn
  • Wave 3:  7:08 AM:   in-water start on the horn
  • Wave 4:  7:12 AM:   in-water start on the horn

• 1 MILE
  • Wave 5:  8:15 AM:   2 swimmers jump-in every 5 seconds
  • Wave 6:  8:18 AM:   2 swimmers jump-in every 5 seconds
  • Wave 7:  8:21 AM:   2 swimmers jump-in every 5 seconds
  • Wave 8:  8:24 AM:   2 swimmers jump-in every 5 seconds

Athlete numbers and wave assignments will be issued at Packet Pick-Up. Athletes who miss their scheduled wave start will not be allowed to swim once the Start Line has been closed and deconstructed.

 

SWIM COURSE

The swim course is an 800 meter (½ mile) long loop. Athletes will start going eastbound (under the Dearborn Street Bridge) and stay to the right of all buoys until they get to the east turnaround (Buoy #0), make a left U-Turn, and head west to the Franklin Street Bridge where they will take a soft-left turn at a large orange turn buoy, then proceed another 100 meters until the west turnaround buoy (Buoy #8). At that point, athletes will reverse course and head eastbound until finishing under the Clark Street Bridge.

The course will be well-marked with nine large, numbered, yellow buoys positioned approximately every 100 meters along the length the course (Buoy #0 - Buoy #8). View the Swim Course here.

On their final loop (1st loop for 1-Milers, 2nd loop for 2-Milers), swimmers will veer to the right in front of the River Theater to cross underneath the large inflatable Finish Line set under the Clark Street Bridge. Participants should raise their chipped-hand out of the water and near the structure to ensure a proper read!

In addition, the event will install timing sensors on Buoy #0 (the east turnaround) and Buoy #8 (the west turnaround). Swimmers who are really interested in tracking their splits are reminded to raise their chipped-hand (take long, exaggerated strokes – like a “catch-up” drill with arms above the waterline) when approaching the timing locations to ensure the best possible read.

Long course (2 mile) swimmers will complete two full loops. Short course (1 mile) swimmers will compete one loop. Upon finishing, swimmers will return to the Swim Exit area in front of Tiny Tapp. A freshwater shower, water, finisher medals and thousands of adorning fans will be waiting! Athletes can then walk back to the Wendella Athlete Vessel to retrieve their Gear Check bags, grab a few snacks, then rejoin friends and family for the Awards Ceremony.

 

ATHLETE PHOTOS + RESULTS

Professional photographers will be stationed throughout the Riverwalk to capture candid and action shots of all athletes. To help with tagging, please wear your race tattoos clearly on both hands and shoulders.

The photo system also uses facial recognition. At Packet Pick-Up, athletes will receive a special QR code to upload a selfie, which will improve the accuracy of your personal photo gallery. After the event, photos will be posted online and available for free download.

Athlete tracking and live results will also be shared ahead of Sunday’s race.

 

AWARDS CEREMONY & RESULTS

An Awards Ceremony will be held following the swim at 9:30 AM. Both fundraising and competitive awards will be distributed (list below). Event results will be featured in the forthcoming RESULTS link at chicagoriverswim.org. 

Fundraising Awards

• Individual Fundraiser Awards
• Charitable Beneficiary Acknowledgement

Competitive Awards

• 2 MILE (12 total)
  • Elite: Top 3 Overall
  • Wetsuits: Top 3 Overall M & F
  • No Wetsuits: Top 3 Overall M & F
• 1 MILE (12 total)
  • Elite: Top 3 Overall
  • Wetsuits: Top 3 Overall M & F
  • No Wetsuits: Top 3 Overall M & F

 

DISCOUNTED PARKING

Parking in downtown Chicago can be expensive, particularly at the Westin valet. We’ve partnered with Legacy Parking to offer Chicago River Swim participants a discounted $16 flat rate for up to 16 hours at the 406 N. Wabash Ave. Garage, with an alternate entrance at 401 N. State St.

If you’re driving to Packet Pick-Up or other weekend activities, use this ParkChirp link to reserve your parking in advance.

Important: Be sure the promo code chicagoriverswim (all lowercase) is applied when making your reservation.

 

2027 CHICAGO RIVER SWIM

Save this date: September 19, 2027! Details on the 2027 event and application process will be unveiled in the coming weeks. 

 

QUESTIONS?

If you're still reading, THANK YOU!

This small event includes a variety of moving parts, and we appreciate your continued attention and support throughout the season. We look forward to seeing you in person soon, and invite you to please reach out with questions or other needs at athletesupport@chicagoriverswim.org.

Safe Travels. Sleep Well. Let's Do This!
- The Chicago River Swim Team

.