Chicago River Swim raising money for ALS research, will be first open-water swim event in the river in almost 100 years

CHICAGO — For three Chicago area residents, it'll soon be time to leave the dry banks of the Riverwalk and immerse themselves in the waters of the Chicago River.

Olivia Smoliga, Dr. Derya Ozyurt and Bob Vear will be among the participants in an event that hasn't happened in nearly 100 years.

The Chicago River Swim is scheduled for this Sunday, Sept. 21, the first time an open-water swim event will be held in the river since 1927.

The non-profit Chicago River Swim organization is behind the event, which they describe as a once-in-a-lifetime experience offering 500 swimmers the chance to navigate among the city's iconic skyscrapers and under its historic bridges.

The swim will raise funds for ALS research and youth swimming lessons.

The swimmers

For Smoliga, a world-class swimmer, this