Katie Pumphrey’s inaugural Baltimore Harbor One-Mile Swim set for June 7, 2026, is the coolest ticket in town, but there are still a few spots left.
Baltimore’s own artist and ultra-marathon open water swimmer Pumphrey has launched a nonprofit, Baltimore Open Water Swimmers (BOWS), and with it, the One-Mile Swim. On Thursday, May 7, Pumphrey made her announcement in an Instagram video showing her jumping into the Inner Harbor, saying hello to her pal, Mr. Trash Wheel, and reminding viewers that she is the first person to swim the 24 miles from the Bay Bridge to the Inner Harbor. By Monday, registration was nearly filled.
BOWS’ mission is two-fold: to build an inclusive community of open water swimmers and to promote safe, healthy, and accessible waterways for all. Based on the notion that Baltimore’s waterways belong to their communities and people, BOWS plans to host swims, community event, and form partnership with environmental organizations focused on water health and safety.
The first-ever Baltimore Harbor One-Mile Swim invites 100 qualified swimmers ages 18 years and older to the first organized open water swim of its kind in the Harbor in what is believed to be decades. The event will celebrate the continuing improving health of the Patapsco River and Baltimore’s Harbor, leading to a more swimmable city overall.
“My 2024 Bay to Baltimore swim made history, and I am beyond proud to keep that momentum going with BOWS,” Pumphrey said. “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.”
The Baltimore Harbor One-Mile Swim happens on June 7 from 7:30 a.m.–12 p.m. The swim begins at 10 a.m., with swimmers completing a one-mile course starting at Bond Street Wharf, traveling toward Point Park, and returning to the wharf for the finish. The course will be marked by buoys, with lifeguards, kayakers, and safety boats along the way. Spectators can gather along the waterfront to cheer on the swimmers.
Adam Lindquist, vice president of Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore’s Healthy Harbor Initiative, sees a natural alignment in Pumphrey’s goals and his organization’s.
“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 said. “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 Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming finisher. She has become a leading voice in the movement to expand access to swimming to urban areas, and she serves as a Sports Ambassador for the global Swimmable Cities alliance. Last year she traveled to Rotterdam to speak at the inaugural Swimmable Cities Summit.
Registration for the Baltimore Harbor One-Mile Swim closes May 31, 2026. All participants must meet safety and experience requirements. Part of the proceeds from the event will support both BOWS and Baltimore City Recreation & Parks’ Learn to Swim programs, helping expand access to water safety education across the city.
