Great Lake Plunge
- Date
- July 26, 2026
- Distance
- 4K Wetsuit · 4K Non-Wetsuit · 2K Wetsuit & more
From the Organizer
The Great Lake Plunge is Evanston's only open water swimming event. The swim consists of three events: 4K, 2K, 1K. This is a not-for-profit event which provides grants to support local water safety training and awareness This is a unique, family friendly event that will leave an impression for years to come. Visit our website for detailed information.
The racecourse is a 1K GPS buoyed rectangle. Swimmers will start at the southwest corner and be directed clockwise, first heading northwest, then turning northeast before returning southeast and finally southwest, back to the starting area. Buoys will be placed at the corners and halfway points.
The 1K swimmers swim 1 loop, 2K swimmers 2 loops, and 4K swimmers 4 loops.
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
84°
Typical Low
64°
Chance of Rain
31%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Chicago Botanic Garden, 8 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Evanston, IL
Population
76,552
as of 2023
Elevation
610 ft
Nearest Airport
ORD
Chicago O'Hare International Airport · 12 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Great Lake Plunge, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
48
Days to train
- Race
- Great Lake Plunge
- Date
- July 26, 2026
Coming Up
More Running races near Evanston, IL
Disability Awareness Walk, Run, Roll
Less than a mile away
Skokie's Backlot Dash 5K and 1/2 Mile Youth Color Run
Youth
3 miles away
5K Fun Run and Family Walk
5K
6 miles away
Ana Banana 5k & Fun Run
5K
5 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Great Lake Plunge?
- Great Lake Plunge is a running race held in Evanston, Illinois on July 26, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Great Lake Plunge?
- Sunday, July 26, 2026 in Evanston, Illinois at Dempster St Beach, Evanston, Evanston, IL. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Great Lake Plunge?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Great Lake Plunge
Jul 26, 2026