CHICAGO — Following a relocation request from the City of Chicago, most of the inaugural Chicago River Swim will take place in Lake Michigan.
Organizers agreed to relocate next month’s event to Lake Michigan after being denied a permit to hold the charitable event in the river. The Chicago River Swim will now start on the river, where swimmers will board boats to Ohio Street Beach in the 600 block of N. Lake Shore Drive.
The event will then proceed in the lake.
“We had high hopes of swimming in the river this year, but we quickly learned the challenges involved in organizing a new event of this scale,” said Doug McConnell, founder of A Long Swim and the organizer of CRS. “The city has worked with us to find a solution that allows the event to move forward, and we’re using this opportunity to build momentum and refine our approach. Ohio Street Beach will provide a great setting for this year’s swim, and we’re grateful for the continued support as we aim to make history in the river next year.”
Friends of the Chicago River expressed dissatisfaction, adding that they had hoped to demonstrate investments in clean water have paid off.
Friends of the Chicago River is disappointed that the Chicago River swim won’t take place this year in the river downtown where it would demonstrate to the world that the investments made in clean water and public access have paid off. We look forward to working with A Long Swim to make this year’s event a success and to ensure next year that it takes place in the river.”
Tim Touhy, communications director for Friends of the Chicago River
The Chicago River Swim, set to be held on Sunday, Sept. 22, will feature qualified swimmers navigating a course in Lake Michigan. Money raised by the event will go toward ALS research and swimming lessons for children in underserved communities.