Big Shoulders 5K & 2.5K Open Water Swim Classic

Big Shoulders is an open water swim competition and is open to registered masters 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. The event is sanctioned and insured by US Masters Swimming, and all swimmers are required to follow USMS rules and safety requirements. Big Shoulders has been the open water championship for the 5K and 2.5K distances on 6 different occasions. 2026 marks the 35th Big Shoulders 5K Swim!