MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — This summer, a group of determined swimmers will tackle the 4.5-mile stretch beneath the Mackinac Bridge—not just for sport, but to raise funds for Michigan’s first responders.

Set for July 26, the swim kicks off at Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City and finishes at Bridge View Park in St. Ignace. Competitors must stay within 100 yards of the bridge’s east side as they navigate the waters where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet, according to the Detroit Free Press.

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To qualify for the event, swimmers must demonstrate the ability to swim one mile within 40 minutes, with proof verified by a lifeguard or digital tracking device.  

On race day, participants are required to wear wetsuits, assigned swim caps, and brightly colored tow buoys for safety and visibility. Additionally, a live drone feed will stream the swim exclusively on the event’s private Facebook group for those watching from shore. 

After the swim, participants gather for a dinner at the Mackinaw City Recreational Center, with shuttles ready to ferry them back across the bridge.

The swim joins a packed summer schedule at the Mackinac Bridge, featuring events like the Mustang Stampede, MINI on the Mack, Corvette Crossroads, Antique Tractor Crossing, and the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk.