Maratón Santa Fe – Coronda para Aficionados

The current pushes you past the dramatic ravines of the Carcarañá River, where the clay banks rise abruptly up to 20 metres above the water line, carving a narrow, imposing corridor. As you maintain your rhythm in the Maratón Santa Fe – Coronda para Aficionados, the dense, earthy scent of the riverbed fills the air. You are swimming a 48-kilometre journey through the heart of the Paraná River basin, a path that has defined regional endurance swimming for decades. While the famous elite race—the Maratón Acuática Internacional Santa Fe – Coronda—has tested professionals here since 1961, this specific event opens the challenge to amateurs, requiring a solid four-hour swim qualification to ensure readiness for the long haul to the Balneario Municipal de Coronda.

The river environment

Navigating downstream at an average speed of 4 km/h, you pass the mouth of the Monje stream at the Boca Balneario, a site that has seen crowds of 20,000 gather for summer festivities. Below you, the waters sustain a rich ecosystem, home to species like the sábalo, patí, and boga, which you might catch sight of if the silt allows. The history of this passage is deep; near the confluence of the Carcarañá, explorer Sebastian Cabot founded the first European settlement in the Río de la Plata region back in 1527. The landscape shifts as you drift past the distinctive 'palo borracho' trees lining the Puerto Gaboto Alameda, markers for any swimmer tracing this historic route. You will also pass the walls of the Coronda Prison, a landmark structure standing since 1933.

Race day logistics

Because the route remains unmarked, the support of your own motorboat is mandatory for safety and navigation. The 500 USD entry fee covers the operational complexity of a 48km point-to-point crossing, including local maritime permissions and medical support. Rules are strict regarding equipment: wetsuits and floating aids are prohibited to maintain the purity of the marathon style. You must rely on the support team in your boat for your own hydration and nutrition, as the organization provides no in-water stations. With a ten-hour time limit to reach the finishing plaque in Coronda, the event prioritizes a personal, non-competitive endurance experience, finishing in the waters of a town globally recognized for its strawberry production.