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Raises $150,000 to support ALS research and youth swim education
CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago River Swim returned on Sunday, September 21, for the first time in 98 years, marking a historic milestone for the city and drawing thousands of swimmers, civic leaders and spectators to the heart of downtown.
The event, produced by the nonprofit A Long Swim, celebrated decades of environmental progress while raising $150,000 for ALS research at the Ozdinler Lab of Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine and swim-safety education programs at the Salvation Army Kroc Center.
263 swimmers entered the one- and two-mile courses along the main branch of the river, cheered on by crowds lining the Riverwalk.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson provided opening remarks and said, "The Chicago River Swim is a symbol of Chicago's resilience and progress. Once too polluted for recreation, the river has been restored as one of our city's greatest assets. Today shows how far we've come in reclaiming our environment for future generations."
The Mayor was joined onstage by Olympian and USA Swimming Ambassador Natalie Hinds, who highlighted the importance of water safety, access and opportunity for young swimmers.
A Long Swim co-founder Doug McConnell, who lost both his father and sister to ALS, underscored the dual mission of the Swim: "This is more than just a race, it's a tribute to the river's revival and a commitment to funding research and education that changes lives." Since its founding, A Long Swim has raised more than $3 million for ALS research.
The event drew strong support from civic leaders, including Congressman Mike Quigley, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter, State Representative Kimberly du Buclet and Alderman Ronnie Mosely, who were in attendance.
Olympian Olivia Smoliga, a Chicago-area native who earned gold in Rio 2016 and bronze in Tokyo 2020 and is the founder of In Depth Swim Academy, took first in the women's one-mile race with a time of 22:45. Levy Nathan won the men's division in 22:22. In the two-mile competition, Becca Mann captured the women's title in 40:07, while Isaac Eilmes led the men's field in 40:13. Their achievements highlighted both the athletic rigor of the event and the river's transformation into safe, swimmable waters.
The Swim highlighted the river's dramatic transformation into one of Chicago's greatest civic assets. The Chicago River is now at its cleanest levels on record, supporting more than 80 species of fish and a growing diversity of wildlife. This transformation reflects decades of environmental progress, including: stronger federal and local regulations, advanced wastewater treatment by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan to reduce overflows, advocacy and cleanups by Friends of the Chicago River and ecological recovery efforts led by the Shedd Aquarium. Together, these partners have helped reclaim the river as a living ecosystem and made it possible for swimmers to safely return for the first time in nearly a century.
Swimmer safety was paramount. The course was safeguarded by more than 100 trained personnel, including lifeguards and observers in kayaks, on support boats and on shore.
Research-based water testing was critical to making the Chicago River Swim possible. The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), which also conducted daily summer testing of city beaches for the Chicago Park District, led the testing along the course. Over 19 days, UIC regularly collected samples at eight bridges, with every result well within EPA guidelines.
All tests returned in the "green flag" range, confirming suitable conditions for swimmers. To strengthen safeguards, the Swim implemented a layered approach, combining UIC's testing with oversight by MWRD. More info here.
"Our partnership with the Chicago River Swim benefited the athletes who participated and our students, whose commitment to water quality helps make Chicago a leader in testing public waterways," said Abhilasha Shrestha, Research Assistant Professor at the UIC School of Public Health. "It's rewarding to see science play a meaningful role in providing a safe experience for the swimmers."
For more information, visit: www.chicagoriverswim.org
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2778073/A_Long_Swim_2.jpg?p=medium600
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2778074/A_Long_Swim_3.jpg?p=medium600
Logo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2778303/Chicago_River_Swim_logo.jpg?p=medium600
Raises $150,000 to support ALS research and youth swim education
CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago River Swim returned on Sunday, September 21, for the first time in 98 years, marking a historic milestone for the city and drawing thousands of swimmers, civic leaders and spectators to the heart of downtown.
The event, produced by the nonprofit A Long Swim, celebrated decades of environmental progress while raising $150,000 for ALS research at the Ozdinler Lab of Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine and swim-safety education programs at the Salvation Army Kroc Center.
263 swimmers entered the one- and two-mile courses along the main branch of the river, cheered on by crowds lining the Riverwalk.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson provided opening remarks and said, "The Chicago River Swim is a symbol of Chicago's resilience and progress. Once too polluted for recreation, the river has been restored as one of our city's greatest assets. Today shows how far we've come in reclaiming our environment for future generations."
The Mayor was joined onstage by Olympian and USA Swimming Ambassador Natalie Hinds, who highlighted the importance of water safety, access and opportunity for young swimmers.
A Long Swim co-founder Doug McConnell, who lost both his father and sister to ALS, underscored the dual mission of the Swim: "This is more than just a race, it's a tribute to the river's revival and a commitment to funding research and education that changes lives." Since its founding, A Long Swim has raised more than $3 million for ALS research.
The event drew strong support from civic leaders, including Congressman Mike Quigley, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter, State Representative Kimberly du Buclet and Alderman Ronnie Mosely, who were in attendance.
Olympian Olivia Smoliga, a Chicago-area native who earned gold in Rio 2016 and bronze in Tokyo 2020 and is the founder of In Depth Swim Academy, took first in the women's one-mile race with a time of 22:45. Levy Nathan won the men's division in 22:22. In the two-mile competition, Becca Mann captured the women's title in 40:07, while Isaac Eilmes led the men's field in 40:13. Their achievements highlighted both the athletic rigor of the event and the river's transformation into safe, swimmable waters.
The Swim highlighted the river's dramatic transformation into one of Chicago's greatest civic assets. The Chicago River is now at its cleanest levels on record, supporting more than 80 species of fish and a growing diversity of wildlife. This transformation reflects decades of environmental progress, including: stronger federal and local regulations, advanced wastewater treatment by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan to reduce overflows, advocacy and cleanups by Friends of the Chicago River and ecological recovery efforts led by the Shedd Aquarium. Together, these partners have helped reclaim the river as a living ecosystem and made it possible for swimmers to safely return for the first time in nearly a century.
Swimmer safety was paramount. The course was safeguarded by more than 100 trained personnel, including lifeguards and observers in kayaks, on support boats and on shore.
Research-based water testing was critical to making the Chicago River Swim possible. The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), which also conducted daily summer testing of city beaches for the Chicago Park District, led the testing along the course. Over 19 days, UIC regularly collected samples at eight bridges, with every result well within EPA guidelines.
All tests returned in the "green flag" range, confirming suitable conditions for swimmers. To strengthen safeguards, the Swim implemented a layered approach, combining UIC's testing with oversight by MWRD. More info here.
"Our partnership with the Chicago River Swim benefited the athletes who participated and our students, whose commitment to water quality helps make Chicago a leader in testing public waterways," said Abhilasha Shrestha, Research Assistant Professor at the UIC School of Public Health. "It's rewarding to see science play a meaningful role in providing a safe experience for the swimmers."
For more information, visit: www.chicagoriverswim.org
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2778073/A_Long_Swim_2.jpg?p=medium600
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2778074/A_Long_Swim_3.jpg?p=medium600
Logo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2778303/Chicago_River_Swim_logo.jpg?p=medium600
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
CHICAGO RIVER SWIM MAKES HISTORIC RETURN AFTER NEARLY A CENTURY
CHICAGO RIVER SWIM MAKES HISTORIC RETURN AFTER NEARLY A CENTURY
ALULA, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks the official opening of Desert X AlUla 2026, the landmark fourth edition of the international, open-air biennial exhibition. Arts AlUla, in collaboration with Desert X, welcomes visitors to experience a stellar line-up of Saudi and international multi-generational artists whose site-responsive earthworks, sculptures, and installations will engage in a powerful dialogue with the awe-inspiring landscapes and layered heritage of AlUla.
As a premier destination rich in ancient history and breathtaking nature, AlUla, located in Northwest Saudi Arabia, solidifies its position on the global stage as a dynamic, emerging land art destination with Desert X AlUla, the region's first public art biennale, and a key highlight of the AlUla Arts Festival.
The 2026 edition of Desert X AlUla brings together 11 acclaimed artists whose diverse works reflect a wide spectrum of ideas, materials, and traditions. From monumental kinetic sculpture to sound-based explorations above and below ground, each commission is deeply rooted in relationships to AlUla's distinctive environment, further cementing Desert X AlUla's reputation as a globally significant platform for site-responsive land art.
Desert X AlUla runs until February 28, 2026, as a cornerstone of the annual AlUla Arts Festival. Curated by Wejdan Reda, Zoé Whitley, with artistic direction by Neville Wakefield, and Raneem Farsi, its fourth edition explores 'Space Without Measure.' Inspired by Kahlil Gibran, the theme fosters contemplation of imagination within AlUla's natural settings. The exhibition, set in the desert canyons of AlUla, serves as a pre-opening programme for Wadi AlFann, offering a pivotal glimpse into AlUla's plans to create a permanent land art 'Valley of the Arts.'
Hamad Alhomiedan, Director of Arts & Creative Industries at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), said: "At Desert X AlUla 2026, audiences will engage with art that deeply converses with AlUla's unique landscapes and rich heritage. These compelling commissions highlight AlUla's dynamic transformation into a major global destination, where ancient and contemporary expressions converge. This exhibition is part of our broader revitalisation of AlUla as a culturally rich destination to live, work and visit and integral to positioning AlUla in the global dialogue of contemporary art and as a precursor to monumental projects like Wadi AlFann."
Participating artist/artworks are:
- Sara Abdu, A Kingdom Where No One Dies: Contours of Resonance
- Mohammad Alfaraj, What was the Question Again?
- Mohammed AlSaleem, The Thorn, AlShuruf Unit, The Triangles, Flower Bud, and Al Ahilla (courtesy of Royal Commission for Riyadh City)
- Tarek Atoui, The Water Song
- Bahraini-Danish, Bloom
- Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, Imole Red
- Agnes Denes, The Living Pyramid
- Ibrahim El-Salahi, Haraza Tree
- Basmah Felemban, Murmur of Pebbles
- Vibha Galhotra, Future Fables
- Héctor Zamora, Tar HyPar
For further information, please contact:
Sabrine.Shaw@bursonglobal.com
AlUlaArtsFestival@bursonglobal.com
Multimedia gallery:
High-resolution photos of all 11 artists and their artworks can be found here.
About AlUla and Arts AlUla
Located 1,100 km from Riyadh, in North-West Saudi Arabia, AlUla is a place of extraordinary natural and human heritage. The vast area, covering 22,561km², includes a lush oasis valley, towering sandstone mountains and ancient cultural heritage sites dating back thousands of years to when the Lihyan and Nabataean kingdoms reigned.
The most well-known and recognised site in AlUla is Hegra, the principal southern city of the Nabataean Kingdom and Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. AlUla is also home to ancient Dadan, the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms and considered to be one of the most developed 1st millennium BCE cities of the Arabian Peninsula, and Jabal Ikmah, an open air library of hundreds of inscriptions and writings in many different languages. AlUla Old Town Village, a labyrinth of more than 900 mudbrick homes was developed from at least the 12th century and has been revitalised as the vibrant hub for visitors and residents.
The creation of Arts AlUla within The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) is a commitment to crafting the next chapters in a millennia of artistic creation – celebrating cultural inheritance and shaping a future inspired by artists built be artists. The work of Arts AlUla seeks to preserve this legacy: fuse the old with the new; the local with the international, keeping the arts central to the spirit of AlUla as a place of extraordinary natural and human heritage.
Wadi AlFann, meaning 'Valley of the Arts,' will be a global cultural destination for land art, unveiling from 2028 onwards, where era-defining works by artists from around the world will be permanently sited in the monumental landscape of AlUla, the extraordinary desert region of north-west Saudi Arabia.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Desert X AlUla 2026: monumental land art exhibition opens in the ancient oasis of AlUla
