Photos from the Chicago River Swim on Sept. 21, 2025, which raised $100,000 for research into ALS and celebrated the river’s recovery from its polluted past.
Katie Hughes leaps into the water before swimming in the Chicago River Swim on Sept. 21, 2025, in downtown Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/for the Chicago Tribune)1-mile swimmers prepare to enter the river during the Chicago River Swim, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. Over 300 swimmers gathered for the first organized swim in the Chicago River in 98 years. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)Lovie Twine, 54, of Austin (CQ) celebrates while receiving her medal after she completed the Chicago River Swim, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. Twine explained that she learned to swim at 42-years-old. “I was scared but I’m there now,” Twine said. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)The first wave of 2-mile swimmers prepare to enter the water before the Chicago River Swim, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. Over 300 swimmers gathered for the first organized swim in the Chicago River in 98 years. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)The first wave of 2-mile swimmers prepare to enter the water before the Chicago River Swim, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. Over 300 swimmers gathered for the first organized swim in the Chicago River in 98 years. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)The first wave of 2-mile swimmers jump into the water before the Chicago River Swim on Sept. 21, 2025. Over 300 swimmers gathered for the first organized swim in the Chicago River in 98 years. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)The first wave of 2-mile swimmers wait for the Chicago River Swim to begin, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. Over 300 swimmers gathered for the first organized swim in the Chicago River in 98 years. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)Kathy Szatkowski of Wisconsin fixes her swim cap before entering the water for the Chicago River Swim, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. Over 300 swimmers gathered for the first organized swim in the Chicago River in 98 years. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)Swimmers race under Dearborn Street Bridge during the Chicago River Swim, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. Over 300 swimmers gathered for the first organized swim in the Chicago River in 98 years. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)Swimmers race toward the Clark Street Bridge during the Chicago River Swim on Sept. 21, 2025. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)Swimmers race towards Clark Street Bridge during the Chicago River Swim, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. Over 300 swimmers gathered for the first organized swim in the Chicago River in 98 years. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)A swimmer races towards the Dearborn Street Bridge during the Chicago River Swim, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. Over 300 swimmers gathered for the first organized swim in the Chicago River in 98 years. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)Swimmers race towards Clark Street Bridge while a kayaker guides them during the Chicago River Swim, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. Over 300 swimmers gathered for the first organized swim in the Chicago River in 98 years. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)Becca Mann, of Homer Glen, crosses the finish line during the Chicago River Swim on Sept. 21, 2025. Mann placed first in the female no-wetsuit 2-mile division and held the fastest time for the 2-mile division. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)Becca Mann swims back to land after winning the Chicago River Swim two-mile swim on Sunday Sept. 21, 2025, in downtown Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/for the Chicago Tribune)Donna Surma cheers for 2-mile swimmer Evan Surma during the Chicago River Swim, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. Over 300 swimmers gathered for the first organized swim in the Chicago River in 98 years. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)People watch competitors compete in the Chicago River Swim on Sunday Sept. 21, 2025, in downtown Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/for the Chicago Tribune)People compete in the two-mile swim of the Chicago River Swim on Sept. 21, 2025, in downtown Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/for the Chicago Tribune)Pete Rooney, right, hugs his brother, Tim Rooney, before he competes in the Chicago River Swim on Sept. 21, 2025, in downtown Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/for the Chicago Tribune)Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks during the opening ceremony of the Chicago River Swim on Sunday Sept. 21, 2025, in downtown Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/for the Chicago Tribune)People compete in the Chicago River Swim two-mile swim on Sunday Sept. 21, 2025, in downtown Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/for the Chicago Tribune)People cross the finish line of the Chicago River Swim on Sunday Sept. 21, 2025, in downtown Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/for the Chicago Tribune)Stephen Kettlestrings takes off his glasses before competing in the Chicago River Swim on Sunday Sept. 21, 2025, in downtown Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/for the Chicago Tribune)Don Alsen poses for a portrait, wearing his “retro” bathing suit, after finishing the Chicago River Swim on Sunday Sept. 21, 2025, in downtown Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/for the Chicago Tribune)U.S. Olympic Swimmer Olivia Smoliga of Glenview, who raced in the 1-mile division, speaks about her love for Chicago during the Chicago River Swim, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. Smoliga placed first in the female no-wetsuit 1-mile division. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)Becca Mann (CQ) of Homer Glen walks up to receive her award after she raced in the Chicago River Swim, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. Mann placed first in the female no-wetsuit 2-mile division and held the fastest time for the 2-mile division. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)
