The Swim Details

From “GEORGETOWN TO GEORGE WASHINGTON”

The DC Marathon Swim started as a 20.5 mile epic adventure from Chain Bridge to Mount Vernon which the Marathon Swimming Federation approved in 2019. Details of the first swim can be found here. Navigating your way through Washington DC in the Potomac River, tides, currents, changing winds will challenge your open water skills and endurance. Each mile takes you through history as you soak in the monuments and scenery unique to our Nation’s Capitol. In 2021, We launched the first Inaugural DC Marathon Swim as approved by the Department of Environment and Engineering in Washington D.C. The course changed slightly, starting at Fletcher’s Cove and ending at Ferry Point but ensuring the same distance as the first swim but more accommodating to a larger start area as well as finish point.

English Channel and Ice swimmers, Denis Crean and Jim Loreto, decided in 2019 to be the first to swim through Washington DC and declare, one stroke at a time, that the Potomac is once again a swim-able river. This swim is conceived around the idea that the “Nation’s River” is accessible and flourishing with vibrant native life and worthy for all people to enjoy. Since completing the swim they are dedicated to providing others the opportunity through DC Marathon Swim.

Our objective is to provide every swimmer a safe opportunity to complete the entire swim. Unless constrained by safety concerns and/or permits, we will swim rain or shine, day and night. Potomac tides switch approximately every six hours, and with variable winds, that generate currents that assist and hinder your progress. Prepare yourself and your crew for difficult conditions, and immeasurable fun!

2021, was an immeasurable success as Washington DC approved a permit to swim in the Potomac while ensuring safety standards for water quality. We are proud of the progress that our National’s Capital has made to continue to improve water quality and our hope is to demonstrate that events like this are safe, fun and we are dedicated to improving water quality in DC as part of our mission.

Check out the results of 2021’s solo swimmers and relays under “Past Results,” to include Course Records established.