Photos courtesy of Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore
Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore press release:
WHAT: KATIE PUMPHREY’S SECOND “BAY TO BALTIMORE” 24-MILE SWIM
Artist and Ultra Marathon Open Water Swimmer Katie Pumphrey will once again embark on her history-making 24-mile “Bay to Baltimore” swim from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to Harborplace in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor on May 20, 2025. This second swim celebrates Baltimore’s progress toward a healthier harbor and aims to inspire the community to embrace the city’s waterways for recreation and outdoor activity.
The swim will begin at Sandy Point State Park near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and conclude at the Harborplace Amphitheater in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Baltimore’s Professor Trash Wheel (with her big eyelashes!) will join the support fleet to cheer Pumphrey on during the final mile. Pumphrey invites the public to follow her journey via a live tracker at swimkatie.com and to show their support at a celebration at the Harborplace Amphitheater between the Harborplace pavilions as she nears her finish.
Through routine monitoring throughout the recreation season, Waterfront Partnership has found that water in the Harbor meets Maryland’s standard for swimming when it has not rained heavily within 48 hours. This is similar to swimming beaches through the Chesapeake Bay and consistent with the Maryland Department of the Environment’s recommendation that people not swim in open water within 48 hours of a heavy rain event. While water quality is improving, the public is discouraged from swimming from the promenade outside of planned events due to concerns about boat traffic, polluted sediment, and a lack of professional supervision. It is recommended that swimming in the Harbor only occur during scheduled events like the “Bay to Baltimore” swim.
WHEN:
Tuesday, May20, 2025
~12:00 a.m. – ~12:00 – 3:00 p.m.(Estimated finish time could vary depending on exact start and water and wind conditions. The live tracker at swimkatie.com will show Pumphrey’s approximate location, and Pumphrey’s crew will be sharing updates to her social media.)
WHERE:
Starting:
Sandy Point State Park (Southern end of Beach, closest to Chesapeake Bay Bridge)
Entry to the park after hours is prohibited. Be sure to follow DNR and Sandy Point State Park rules.
Ending:
Harborplace Amphitheater
201 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202
Photos courtesy of Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore
