Chicago River Swim

— LET'S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS 

On behalf of the entire event team and the A Long Swim organization, we are incredibly proud to welcome you to the inaugural Chicago River Swim weekend!  It may not be the history-making course we hoped for, but the Chicago River Swim remains committed celebrating our river's rebirth at Chicago's greatest open water destination: Ohio Street Beach. While we're at it, we remain committed to generating funds for two incredible causes: ALS research and youth learn-to-swim programming.

Before the big weekend arrives, please take a moment to review the details below. We look forward to seeing you at the Westin River North for the mandatory Athlete Briefings and Packet Pick-Up process, as well as at Ohio Street Beach on Sunday morning.

Here we go!...

 

CHICAGO RIVER SWIM WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Friday, September 20, 2024
Westin River North - Riverfront Room: 320 N. Dearborn St, 1st Floor

• 12:00 PM   Packet Pick-Up Opens
• 12:30 PM   Athlete Briefing
• 1:30 PM     Athlete Briefing
• 2:30 PM     Athlete Briefing
• 3:00 PM     Packet Pick-Up Closes

Saturday, September 21, 2024
Westin River North - Riverfront Room: 320 N. Dearborn St, 1st Floor

• 12:00 PM   Packet Pick-Up Opens
• 12:30 PM   Athlete Briefing
• 1:30 PM     Athlete Briefing
• 2:30 PM     Athlete Briefing
• 3:00 PM     Packet Pick-Up Closes

Sunday, September 22, 2024
Ohio Street Beach: 601 N. Lake Shore Drive.

• 6:30 AM      Athlete Boat #1 Departs Riverwalk
• 7:00 AM      Athlete Check-In Opens
• 7:30 AM      Athlete Boat #2 Departs Riverwalk
• 8:00 AM      Opening Ceremony
• 8:15 AM      2-Mile Swim Start
• 8:55 AM      First Finisher
• 9:00 AM      1-Mile Swim Start
• 10:00 AM    Final Finisher
• 10:30 AM    Awards Ceremony
• 11:00 AM    Goose Island Post Swim Party Opens
• 11:00 AM    Boat #1 Departs Navy Pier for Riverwalk
• 1:00 PM      Boat #2 Departs Navy Pier for Riverwalk
• 1:00 PM      Event Concludes

 

PACKET PICK-UP PROCESS (Friday & Saturday)

Registered participants must attend one mandatory 20-minute Athlete Briefing prior to obtaining their event packets and goodie bags. Participants must pick-up their own packets at the Westin (no proxies) and must present a government issued photo ID. Gear distributed at the Packet Pick-Up process will include:

• Event wristband: must be worn through the weekend
• Temporary tattoos: to be applied to shoulders and hands prior to arriving at the beach
• Athlete Boat wristbands (if requested for the 6:30 AM trip): athletes and spectators alike will need one
• Plush swim robe (with check number): all are STRONGLY recommended to wear their robes to/from all Sunday activities.
• Large numbered plastic bag: this is not required for Gear Check, but convenient for wetsuits or other swim gear
• Athlete SWAG bag: a few goodies for everyone!

 

ATHLETE BOAT ACCESS (Sunday)

Maintaining a link to the Chicago River remains essential to the Chicago River Swim. On event morning, athletes and spectators have the option to board a Chicago Lakefront Cruise boat at the Riverwalk and take a scenic journey along the river before reaching the swim venue next to Navy Pier.

Athletes were asked to RSVP if they were interested in the first morning boat (6:30 AM). Those wristbands will be distributed at Packet Pick-Up. Both athletes and spectators will need a wristband to board that first boat. Wristband holders must be on-board within 5 minutes of each scheduled departure. If seats remain, stand-by passengers will be allowed to board. Latecomers will not be guaranteed transportation.

Due to initial demand, a second morning boat (to the swim venue) has been added. This second boat (7:30 AM) does not require wristbands, nor do either of two boats retiring to the Riverwalk later that day. See the schedule below:

    Athlete Boat Schedule: Sunday, September 22
   • 6:30 AM     Athlete Boat #1 Departs Riverwalk for Navy Pier (arriving 7 AM) *wristbands required 
   • 7:30 AM     Athlete Boat #2 Departs Riverwalk for Navy Pier (arrives 8:15 AM)
   • 11:00 AM   Athlete Boat #1 Departs Navy Pier for Riverwalk (arrives 11:45 AM)
   • 1:00 PM     Athlete Boat #2 Departs Navy Pier for Riverwalk (arrives 1:45 PM)

 

EVENT MORNING CHECK-IN (Sunday)

Athletes are required to check-in with event staff Sunday morning at Ohio Street Beach inside the Athlete Venue setup on the beach. The Athlete Venue is a secured facility, restricted to those wearing credentials (staff, volunteers) or wristbands (athletes). During check-in, athletes must present their wristband and confirm their decision to wear a wetsuit (or not) - which impacts awards. 

Gear distributed at the Morning Check-In will include:

• Swim Cap: signifying distance, must be worn during the swim 
• 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
• 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)!
• Portable restrooms will be available in the Ohio Street Beach entranceway and within Caffe' Oliva

Once athletes are set and organized, they may check their bags (either the event-issued athlete bag or any personal bag) with the Gear Check volunteers. Athletes should keep their robes, goggles, swim caps, personal swim buoys and any special needs items (inhalers, glasses, etc) which can be placed on a Special Needs table just before they enter the water. Announcers will provide updates and timelines throughout the morning within the Athlete Venue.

 

SWIM WARM UP

Athletes have the option to warm-up on an abbreviated portion of the course between 7:30 - 7:50 AM, once lifeguards are in place. This warm-up is optional. Athletes may check their robes with the Volunteer Team at the Entry/Exit area. Warm-ups will NOT be allowed outside of this window. The shoreline will be roped-off and closed to athletes and spectators throughout the entire event. The water will be cleared at 7:50 AM sharp in order for the water team to reposition for the event.

 

OPENING CEREMONY

Athletes and spectators should plan to assemble on the beach by 8:00 AM when the event formally begins. A welcome program, including commentary from dignitaries and beneficiaries, 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 20 people each. Prior to the Opening Ceremony, Wave #1 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 50 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:  8:15 AM:   Women (20:00 - 30:00 pace), no wetsuits
  • Wave 2:  8:20 AM:   Men (20:00 - 30:00 pace), no wetsuits   
  • Wave 3:  8:25 AM:   Women & Men (35:00 - 40:00 pace), no wetsuits
  • Wave 4:  8:30 AM:   Women (all paces), wetsuits
  • Wave 5:  8:35 AM:   Men (all paces), wetsuits
• 1 MILE
  • Wave 6:  9:00 AM:   Women (all paces), no wetsuits
  • Wave 7:  9:05 AM:   Men (all paces), no wetsuits
  • Wave 8:  9:10 AM:   Women (20:00 - 35:00 pace), wetsuits
  • Wave 9:  9:15 AM:   Men (20:00 - 35:00 pace), wetsuits
  • Wave 10: 9:20 AM:  Women & Men (35:00 - 40:00 pace), wetsuits

Final assignments and athlete numbers 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 deconstructed. 

 

SWIM COURSE

The swim course is an 800 meter (½ mile) long, out-and-back loop. Athletes will stay to the right of all buoys until they get to the 800 meter turnaround, make a left U-Turn, and return back between the buoys and seawall.  The course will be well-marked with nine large, numbered, yellow buoys positioned every 100 meters along the length the course. Distance markers will be affixed to the Lakefront Trail walls for easy reference. View the Swim Course here.

Buoy numbers and distance markers affixed to the Lakefront Trail wall will correspond with distance from the start (ie. Buoy #1 = 100 meters from start, Buoy #2 = 200 meters from the start, Buoy #8 = 800 meters from the start and the turnaround location).

On the final loop (1st loop for 1-Milers, 2nd loop for 2-Milers), swimmers will veer to the right to cross underneath the Finish Line setup along the seawall near Ohio Street Beach. 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 #8 (the far turnaround) and the Start Buoy (for 2-Milers beginning their second loop). Swimmers who are really interested in tracking their splits are reminded to raise their chipped-hand (take long, exaugurated 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 beach Entry/Exit area to receive their robes and adorned a finisher medal! 

 

AWARDS CEREMONY & RESULTS

An Awards Ceremony will be held following the swim at 10:30 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)
  • Wetsuits: Top 3 Overall M & F
  • No Wetsuits: Top 3 Overall M & F
• 1 MILE (12 total)
  • Wetsuits: Top 3 Overall M & F
  • No Wetsuits: Top 3 Overall M & F

 

GOOSE ISLAND POST SWIM PARTY

Following the Awards Ceremony, swimmers, volunteers and guests can convene at Caffe’ Oliva. Hosted by Goose Island, participants will receive complimentary Goose Island 312s (21+) and hors d’oeuvres right on the beach!  The Post Swim Party will conclude at 1:00 PM. Advance announcements will be made for anyone wishing to take the last Athlete Boat back to the Riverwalk.

 

2025 CHICAGO RIVER SWIM APPLICATION WINDOW

As an additional way of saying Thank You, all 2024 swimmers will receive guaranteed access to the 2025 event — tentatively scheduled for Sunday, September 21, 2025 - and destined for the Chicago River!  A week-long, priority application window for the 2025 event will open to all swimmers and the general public on Monday, September 23. There is no fee to apply, and no credit card required for the application process -- which is truly a message of intent. A separate application window will open in the future (TBD). The formal selection and registration process will not open until the event receives firm commitment from the city and all public safety entities to host the event in the river. 

 

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. Here We Go!

- The Chicago River Swim Team