Chicago River Swim

Celebrate the Chicago River's remarkable environmental turnaround by applying to the first organized swim in nearly a century. 

The Chicago River Swim will offer athletes a once-in-a-lifetime experience to swim among Chicago’s famous skyscrapers and under its iconic bridges. This is truly history in the making.

Applications open soon. Please review the Requirements page for details. 

The Chicago River Swim is the signature event of A Long Swim, a 501(c)3 charitable organization that raises funds for ALS collaborative research through Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and local youth learn-to-swim programs. The event is made possible through the support of dozens of local and federal agencies, area businesses, and the entire Chicago community.