This is a photo from our wedding under the St. John’s Bridge, July 11, 2021. The location was an easy choice because Marisa already had the park reserved for the Bridge Swim, which had to be cancelled that year due to covid. So we ate, we danced, we got married, and then we invited our guests to join us for a swim in the Willamette River.

Marisa started the Bridge Swim in 2011 and was Race Director of the event for 15 years. Chris and Marisa first met in 2012, and he started volunteering for the race in 2013. Over time, Chris supported all aspects of race organization, and his children took on key roles as well for many years. It’s been a family thing for over a decade.

Then sometime last year over coffee with friends, Marisa made a comment about how Portland needs a one mile swim. Chris said, “Hey, I’ll do it!” His first call was to Willie Levenson of Human Access Project. Willie put on the Big Float for many years, started River Huggers, and has been the ring leader for many wonderful projects to help make the Willamette River more beautiful and accessible to everyone. Willie immediately tried to talk Chris out of doing the race, saying, “Just be really, really clear about your why—why you want to do this—because you’re going to hit a point when you ask yourself, What the hell was I thinking?” Without hesitation Chris responded, “Because I want to share my love of swimming in the Willamette River, and I want to showcase the community we have built around this amazing natural asset that runs right through the heart of our city.”

So that’s the who, what, where, when, and why of The Portland Mile, and we can’t wait to see you all on June 14th to feel the love and community we all share with the Willamette River!