Big Shoulders Swim Classic – Chicago

Event overview

About Big Shoulders swim

5K Swim: a Lake Michigan-size test of guts, determination and fortitude amidst the chilly, windswept waves. Like all the best races in the world, Big Shoulders swim started with an inspired individual who had an inspired idea. Founded in 1991 by the late Bill Mulliken, Olympic Gold Medal winner (’60 Rome breaststroke), Big Shoulders has grown to be one of the premier open-water races in the United States.

Fresh-water, long distance swimming: an event in a hostile environment at which humans are not supposed to excel, and yet excel they do. While most of Chicago and the sane world sleeps on the first Saturday after Labor Day each year, tough competitors take on Lake Michigan’s currents, turbulence and temperature inversions, just for the sake of saying they have “big shoulders”.

Every swimmer that comes to the Lake that morning, starting with a jittery stomach and swimming with guts, finishes with a personal version of the title “Champion”. Think you are made of that kind of stuff? Come join us for the Big Shoulders event: swim, cheer or volunteer — we just want to see you here!

Big Shoulders Races