Marathon open water swimmer Katie Pumphrey has her sights set on making history this summer with an ambitious 24-mile swim from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge all the way to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Announced on Tuesday, Pumphrey’s “Bay to Baltimore” challenge celebrates the recently declared swimmable status of the revitalized Inner Harbor.
“The Bay to Baltimore swim is, in many ways, my love letter to Baltimore City,” said the Maryland native Pumphrey. “I can’t wait to swim towards Baltimore, towards home, and truly celebrate this major milestone for our city. To be the first person on record to complete a swim of this scale in these waters is something I’ve dreamt about for years.”
The grueling journey will begin at Sandy Point State Park next to the Bay Bridge and end at the Inner Harbor’s Harborplace Amphitheater, with a tentative window of June 24-27 targeted based on optimal tides, water temperatures, and weather conditions. Close coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and factoring in potential water quality impacts from heavy rainfall will also determine the precise date.
Organizers are leaving no stone unturned to ensure Pumphrey’s safety and adherence to regulations. Two support boats from Freedom Boat Club with rotating captains will accompany her, along with a crew of 6-8 people including swimmers, kayakers, and observers verifying Marathon Swimmers Federation rules. The beloved Mr. Trash Wheel will even join the fleet for the final mile.
“Katie’s enthusiasm for Baltimore is contagious and her desire to keep pursuing her dreams is inspiring,” said Adam Lindquist of the Waterfront Partnership, a swim sponsor. “We’re proud to support her as she brings attention to swimming and recreation in Baltimore’s Harbor.”
The public can follow Pumphrey’s journey via live trackers and are invited to a celebratory finish line event at the Inner Harbor amphitheater. A fundraising page has also been launched to offset costs, with 10% going to a local charity.
This unprecedented swim continues Pumphrey’s incredible open water resume that has seen her conquer iconic challenges like the English Channel (twice), circumnavigating Manhattan Island, and the Catalina Channel – making her just the 73rd woman to achieve the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.
Looking ahead, the tireless Pumphrey hopes to establish a Baltimore swim series featuring races of varying distances, including the daunting 24-mile “Bay to Baltimore” route for elite marathon swimmers.
As the former industrial wasteland turned world-class tourist destination, the rejuvenated Inner Harbor seems a fitting finale for this audacious endeavor celebrating Baltimore’s revitalization.