For the first time in almost a century, hundreds of swimmers will jump into the Chicago River for an open water swim on Sunday.
For the first time in almost a century, hundreds of swimmers will jump into the Chicago River for an open water swim on Sunday.kicks off with an opening ceremony at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. Swimmers take their marks between Dearborn Street and State Street on the south side of the river, with the 2-mile swim starting at 7:00 a.
m.Participating swimmers will navigate a one- or two-mile swim along the main portion of the Chicago River. The route passes"beneath the city's iconic bridges, beginning at the Dearborn Street Bridge, heading east to State Street, then west to Lake Street and concluding near the Clark Street Bridge," organizers said. The portion of the river used by the swim course will be closed to all vessels during the event and riverwalk access will be limited to specific areas, event organizers said. The event celebrates the city's environmental progress and generates money for ALS research at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and for swim safety education for at-risk children in Chicago., saying the proposed route raises safety concerns for participants and the general public. The event then moved to Lake Michigan.“The Chicago River Swim’s return required incredible tenacity and resilience in the face of odds once thought insurmountable. A perfect analogy for our city in this moment," said Illinois Representative Mike Quigley, who will be in attendance at the swim."I’m excited to see swimmers return to the Chicago River after so many years of steadfast work by residents and activists." Vendors will serve refreshments along the course, and tickets for an official VIP viewing party will be available soon, organizers said. A"robust water quality and safety program will be in place" during the event, including real-time water quality monitoring and over 100 safety personnel monitoring from kayaks, paddle boards and boats, organizers said. Additional support will be provided by autonomous buoys, GPS surveillance and in-water timing systems. Water quality data is being collected leading up to the event, including on Sunday morning, and organizers said they are prepared to cancel or postpone the swim if necessary to ensure safety standards are met.
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