US Edition
Chicago River Swim Returning for Second Year This Fall
The swim will feature 500 qualified participants on one- and two-mile courses to raise funds for ALS research and youth swim safety programs.
- On March 13, 2026 the City of Chicago announced the Chicago River Swim will return on Sunday, September 20, 2026 from 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM, presented by Mayor Brandon Johnson.
- Environmental data show the Chicago River at its cleanest on record, supporting almost 80 fish species, while last year's inaugural swim proved the river can host swimmers after nearly a century, driven by founder Doug McConnell's decade-long efforts.
- A Long Swim will select five hundred qualified swimmers through an eligibility review, with applications opening March 31 and closing April 27, and participants announced the week of May 4.
- Proceeds will support ALS research at Northwestern University's Ozdinler Lab and expand Chicago Park District swim education and water-safety programs, while A Long Swim has raised more than $3 million for the lab.
- Layered testing with MWRD and UIC must confirm safety before the swim, with University of Illinois Chicago performing DNA-based tests and more than 100 trained personnel using RFID chips and swim buoys on race day.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Chicago River Swim Returns This September — With 500 More Swimmers
DOWNTOWN — The Chicago River Swim is returning for another year, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced Thursday. The Sept. 20 race will raise funds for ALS research at Northwestern University, as well as swimming education and water safety programming for youth at the Chicago Park District, Johnson said. Last year was the first river swim in almost a century, with 500 open water swimmers diving into the river during the event. This year, the event w…
Chicago River Swim to return September 20
Organizers and city leaders announced that the Chicago River Swim will return to the downtown area September 20, as part of a week-long series of events designed to encourage children across the city to learn how to swim.
PR Newswire
2ND ANNUAL CHICAGO RIVER SWIM RETURNS SEPT. 20 FOLLOWING HISTORIC FIRST YEAR, ESTABLISHING NEW CIVIC TRADITION
/PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago River Swim presented by the City of Chicago and Mayor Brandon Johnson will return for its second annual event on Sunday, September...
Chicago Sun Times
Usa newsChicago River Swim will return for its second year in September, city says
Chicago's open-water swim will return to the Chicago River for its second year on Sept. 20, the City of Chicago announced on Thursday.Last September, more than 300 swimmers plunged into the Chicago River for the first organized open-water swim in 98 years. Swimmers will return this September to complete one-mile and two-mile courses along the river's main channel in downtown Chicago. Proceeds from this years event will support Amyotrophic Latera…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
