All Out Open Water Swim

The Potomac River at National Harbor carries the weight of a complex history, moving with a steady, tidal pulse that defines the swim experience. As you push off from the shoreline, you enter a waterway that has served as a strategic artery for centuries. Beneath the surface, the riverbed tells stories of past struggles; in the 1860s, soldiers stationed at the nearby Fort Foote contended with the harsh realities of the surrounding marshes, where malaria and the difficulty of securing pure, untainted water were constant, pressing threats to life. Today, the water remains a dynamic, living environment monitored by the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, ensuring that the current conditions at National Harbor remain safe for the annual August gathering.

What you'll see

Navigating the course, you are framed by structures that bridge time and geography. To the south, the massive, functional silhouette of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge looms—a unique engineering feat that crosses the borders of Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. As you breathe to the side, you might catch the sight of the giant, 72-foot sculpture known as 'The Awakening,' which appears to claw its way out of the earth as if struggling to emerge from the riverbank itself. Further along the pier, the 180-foot Capital Wheel acts as a towering visual beacon, its programmable lights casting a distinct glow that helps orient swimmers during the 2.5K or 5K distances.

While the modern skyline dominates your view, the riverbanks hold deeper, more elusive secrets. Legend persists that John Hanson, a notable figure of the Revolutionary era, may lie in an unmarked grave somewhere on the grounds of the historic Oxon Hill Manor. Near the bluffs, two 15-inch Rodman guns remain in place at the former site of Fort Foote, serving as silent remnants of the Civil War-era defenses built to protect Washington from incoming ironclads. Organized by the District of Columbia Aquatics Club, this event continues a long-standing tradition of open water competition, requiring participants to be at least 18 years of age. Whether you are navigating the single lap of the 2.5K or committing to the double-loop 5K challenge, the course demands respect for the river's tidal movement and the historical layers hidden just beneath the surface of the Potomac.