Maratón Acuática Internacional Santa Fe – Coronda

In 1527, the Venetian explorer Sebastian Cabot navigated the waters of the Paraná delta, eventually establishing the Sancti Spiritus Fort at the confluence of the Carcarañá River. His ambition to carve a foothold into the landscape remains marked by the silt and the relentless flow of the river basin, the same path that swimmers follow today during the Santa Fe-Coronda Marathon. While his settlement was short-lived, the river remained a primary artery for exploration and, eventually, for one of the most grueling endurance tests in open water swimming.

The river course

Since 1961, the 57-kilometer stretch connecting Santa Fe to Coronda has challenged athletes to navigate the complexities of the Coronda and Salado rivers. The marathon typically requires around eight hours of constant movement, a duration that allows the surroundings to shift from the dense, protected wetlands of the Islas de Santa Fe National Park to the more industrialized riverbanks near the finish. As you swim through these channels, the ecological diversity of the basin is immediate, defined by the constant, shifting silt load of the river. You will pass the Puerto Gaboto Alameda, where the distinct silhouette of 'palo borracho' trees lines the bank, serving as a rare, vertical reference point for those deep in the rhythm of their stroke.

Approaching the finish

As the final kilometers approach, the river environment transitions again. You will pass the site of the Coronda Prison, a massive structure inaugurated in 1933 that dominates the riverfront landscape. The local identity here shifts from the wilder, upstream river segments to the agricultural heart of the region. Coronda is known as the 'National Capital of the Strawberry,' and the scent of the nearby fields often reaches the water as the support boats guide swimmers toward the final buoys. The logistics of this marathon are demanding, requiring precise coordination with river traffic and local authorities to manage the long-distance passage through these active navigation channels, which explains the high level of operational support necessary to keep the event running annually each February.