2023 Chicago Masters Big Shoulders 5K & 2.5K Open Water Swim Classic

Big Shoulders is an open water swim competition, and is open to swimmers ages 18 and over to compete in a 2.5 or 5 kilometer swim around a 2.5K course. Chicago Park District lifeguards patrol the course and safeguard the swimmers. The Chicago Park District co-sponsored the event until 2006. Big Shoulders began in 1991 as a swim for just a handful of swimmers, and has grown in size. Big Shoulders has been the open water championship for the 5K and 2.5K distances on 6 different occasions. 2023 marks the 32nd Big Shoulders 5K Swim!