Circuito Maratour 2026 — Mangue Seco

For generations, local fishermen in Mangue Seco have navigated the shifting waters of the Real River, a vital artery that separates the states of Bahia and Sergipe. Before this estuary became a destination for open water swimming, the settlement of Porto do Mato served as the primary transit point for those moving between the two shores—a tradition rooted in the labor and history of populations brought across these waters centuries ago. Today, the Circuito Maratour follows these ancient transit lines, offering a race that forces competitors to physically bridge the gap between two Brazilian states while navigating the complex environment of the Rio Sao Francisco mangroves ecoregion.

The estuary dynamics

Swimmers entering the water will find themselves flanked by a dense, living wall of red, black, and white mangrove trees. These species, specifically the *Rhizophora mangle* and *Laguncularia racemosa*, are not merely scenery; they define the water's edge and influence the flow of the estuary. The region's tropical monsoon climate ensures that the water remains within a consistent range, though the high annual rainfall—most frequent between March and July—can alter the salinity and sediment load of the river. Because the race takes place within an active estuarine system, the currents are dictated by the tidal push from the Atlantic, necessitating a start time that respects the movement of the tide to ensure safe conditions for all distances, from the 300m sprint to the 3km challenge.

Navigating the border

As you sight your line, you are effectively swimming along the natural border of two states. The environment is shared with the local fauna; the mudflats and mangrove roots serve as critical stopovers for long-distance migratory birds like the ruddy turnstone and whimbrel. While moving through the estuary, it is impossible to ignore the profound silence of the surrounding dunes, a landscape that remains isolated despite its proximity to major urban centers. This serenity was momentarily shattered on May 27, 2019, when a Piper PA-28 aircraft crashed near the Porto do Mato village. The incident, which claimed the lives of three individuals including the musician Gabriel Diniz, remains a somber point of local memory for those who live and work along these riverbanks. The 2026 edition of the Maratour continues the annual tradition of testing one's endurance in these waters, where the history of the riverbank merges with the rhythm of the tide.