First Chicago River Swim in nearly 100 years set for Sunday

CHICAGO — For the first time in nearly 100 years a swimming event will be held in the Chicago River.

The Chicago River Swim will be held at 7 a.m. Sunday at the main branch of the river. About 500 people are expected to participate.

Organizers were out Friday morning running a safety checks and setting up the one and two mile route.

The swim got the city council’s blessing last month.

The event is also a fundraiser for ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, research. A Long Swim, a nonprofit organization founded by open-water swimmer Douglas McConnell, is putting on the event.

McConnell has lost two family members to ALS. Money raised at the Chicago River Swim will benefit Northwestern.

Real-time water quality tests have been and will be done to make sure swimmers wont get sick. Spectators are encourged to line the route down the main branch of the Chicago River.

Registration for The Chicago Swim is now closed.