Hundreds of swimmers will take to the Ohio River during the open-water Bill Keating, Jr. Great Ohio River Swim this weekend.
Officially named after Keating — one of the first people to sign up for the inaugural event in 2007, who later lost a battle with brain cancer — the event is a fundraiser for local nonprofit Adventure Crew, which "connects city teens with nature."
Swimmers will push off from downtown's Public Landing and make their way across the river, which will be closed to traffic, to Kentucky and back — about half a mile.
There will also be ten "Double Dippers” who will swim 2.5 miles downstream then the traditional 800-meters across to Kentucky. The Double Dip event will also be raining money for Adventure Crew’s Swim Training Program, which gives urban youth access to swimming lessons.
During the event, the river will be closed to motorized traffic and safety jet skis, kayaks and boats will be in the water with the swimmers to offer any assistance if needed. Local first responders will also be at the river for support.
On-site registration opens at 7 a.m. Aug. 28 with mandatory safety instructions at 8 a.m. Tickets are $40 for adults, $35 for college students and $25 for youth.
The swim will be rescheduled for Sept. 11 if river conditions are unfavorable.
The swim starts at the Public Landing, Downtown. Find more information at greatohioriverswim.com.
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