Baixada del Renaixement 2026 — Xerta

Driving toward Xerta, the landscape shifts from coastal plains to the imposing limestone walls of the Cardó Massif. As the road winds down into the valley, the Ebro River comes into view, its broad, steady current cutting through the terrain. This river is not just a backdrop; it is the arena for the Baixada del Renaixement, a race that demands an intimate understanding of the water's flow. Swimmers arriving for the July 18th event will find a setting steeped in history, where the river served as a strategic corridor during the 1837 Battle of Xerta, a clash that allowed Carlist forces to secure a vital crossing point.

The river course

Once in the water, you follow a path defined by centuries of hydraulic engineering. Shortly after your start, the massive structure of the Assut of Xerta appears—a 375-meter-long diagonal dam that has redirected these waters for generations. As you swim the 6.7km, 12km, or the full 12.522km course, the riverbank reveals the remnants of the Val de Zafán railway, with abandoned station buildings marking the silent progress of a line that ceased operations in 1973. Above the bank, the eclectic silhouette of Villa Retiro, the 'Torre del millonari', keeps watch over the town. While many swimmers focus on the long-distance endurance required here, those looking to compare their pacing across the river's various stretches often turn to the 16th UltraEbre Swim Marathon, which offers a different perspective on the same Ebro current. The river remains the central character of the weekend, connecting the industrial ruins of the railway to the enduring cultural pride of the xertolins, who continue to preserve the Jota Xertolina dance in the town square each November.