The highly anticipated inaugural Baltimore Harbor One-Mile Swim, spearheaded by Katie Pumphrey, is set to take place on June 7, 2026. With limited spots still available, this event is quickly becoming the must-attend ticket in town.
Katie Pumphrey, a local artist and ultra-marathon open water swimmer, has recently established a nonprofit organization named Baltimore Open Water Swimmers (BOWS). In a lively Instagram video posted on May 7, she excitedly announced the One-Mile Swim by jumping into the Inner Harbor and greeting her friend, Mr. Trash Wheel. Pumphrey noted her remarkable achievement as the first person to swim the 24 miles from the Bay Bridge to the Inner Harbor. By the following Monday, nearly all registration spots had been filled.
The mission of BOWS is two-fold: to nurture an inclusive environment for open water swimmers and to advocate for safe, healthy, and accessible waterways for everyone. BOWS is committed to the philosophy that Baltimore’s waterways are a community resource, and plans to organize events and establish partnerships with environmental organizations committed to promoting water safety and health.
The Baltimore Harbor One-Mile Swim aims to attract 100 qualified swimmers aged 18 and older to participate in the first formally organized open-water swim in the Harbor in several decades. This exciting event will highlight the ongoing restoration efforts for the Patapsco River and Baltimore’s Harbor, ultimately contributing to a more swimmable city.
Pumphrey expressed her pride in this initiative, saying, “My 2024 Bay to Baltimore swim made history, and I am beyond proud to keep that momentum going with BOWS. Baltimore has all the ingredients to be a global leader in urban swimming, and we’re really starting to see that come to life. The Baltimore Harbor Swim is about more than the athletes in the water—it’s about showing what’s possible, creating access, and inviting more people to feel connected to the Harbor in a new way.”
Scheduled for June 7, the Baltimore Harbor One-Mile Swim will take place between 7:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., with the swimming activity commencing at 10 a.m. Participants will navigate a one-mile course starting at Bond Street Wharf, heading towards Point Park, and returning to the starting point. Safety measures will include buoy markers, lifeguards, kayakers, and safety boats throughout the course, while spectators are encouraged to gather along the waterfront to support the swimmers.
Adam Lindquist, vice president of the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore’s Healthy Harbor Initiative, lauded Pumphrey’s objectives, noting the strong alignment with his organization’s mission.
“The Healthy Harbor Initiative is a long-term effort to make Baltimore’s waterways fishable and swimmable, and over the years we’ve seen real progress,” Lindquist stated. “Through events like Harbor Splash—and now with more opportunities like these community swims—we’re continuing to show what’s possible and invite people to experience the Harbor in a new way.”
Pumphrey is a three-time English Channel swimmer and a finisher of the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, making her a prominent advocate for expanding swimming accessibility in urban areas. Recently, she served as a Sports Ambassador for the global Swimmable Cities alliance, presenting at the inaugural Swimmable Cities Summit in Rotterdam last year.
To partake in the Baltimore Harbor One-Mile Swim, registration closes on May 31, 2026. All participants must meet specified safety and experience criteria, and a portion of the event proceeds will support BOWS and the Baltimore City Recreation & Parks’ Learn to Swim programs, aiming to enhance access to water safety education throughout the city.
