III Travesía a Nado de las Hoces del Duratón, Memorial Alberto Vitón

In the 8th century, the monk Saint Fructus retreated from the world to live in solitude amidst the limestone canyons of the Duratón River. Today, those same gorges, which soar up to 100 metres in height, serve as the silent witnesses to the swimmers who gather at the 'Robledal' area in San Miguel de Bernuy. Just as the hermit once navigated the wilderness, participants in the III Travesía a Nado de las Hoces del Duratón, held in memory of Alberto Vitón, challenge the river’s path, tracing a course that reflects the profound stillness of the landscape.

The river environment

Swimming here feels like moving through a sunken corridor of geological history. As you stroke through the water, you might glimpse the shadows of griffon vultures circling high above the canyon rims, a habitat they have claimed for centuries. The route, which includes both 1500m and 3800m distances, begins and ends at the 'Robledal' site, with the longer distance extending toward the transition into the Vencías de Fuentidueña reservoir. This transition point is where the river opens up, shifting from the narrow confines of the gorge into a wider, calmer basin. The water temperature can be brisk, leading many to utilize wetsuits for thermal regulation, particularly during the early stages of the event.

Historical context and race details

While the modern event focuses on the sport of open water swimming, the region is steeped in deeper narratives. Upstream from the race, the Cueva de los Siete Altares features seven ancient, carved altars, and near the tributary of the San Juan river, the 15th-century ruins of the Palacio de los Gonzalez de Sepulveda stand as a reminder of the area's medieval significance. The event, organized by the C.D. Triatlón Lacerta, requires careful navigation as the valley is known for occasional thermal inversions that can produce dense morning fog, though the race day conditions are closely monitored by the safety team. Every year, athletes arrive at this natural park not just to compete, but to traverse a stretch of water that links the modern endurance of the swimmer with the ancient, rugged silence of the Castilian wilderness.