Blue Race — Represa del Guavio

In 1548, the lands surrounding the present-day Guavio Reservoir fell under the authority of the cacique of Guatavita, a figure deeply intertwined with the legend of El Dorado. Today, the landscape is defined by the Alberto Lleras Dam, a massive rock-fill embankment completed in 1989 that rises 243 metres above the foundation. Swimmers at the Blue Race navigate these same waters, passing within the sphere of influence of the Chingaza National Natural Park, a high-altitude Andean sanctuary established in 1977 to protect essential water resources. The reservoir itself, formed by the impoundment of the Guavio, Batatas, and Chivor rivers, serves as the stage for this annual event.

The scale of the reservoir

This basin is not merely a setting for competition; it is the site of the most powerful hydroelectric plant in Colombia, boasting a capacity of 1260 MW from an entirely underground facility commissioned in 1992. As you swim, the immense scale of the dam structure dominates the horizon, serving as a constant reference point for navigation. The region is equally famous for the 'Gachalá Emerald', a 858-carat gemstone discovered in the local mines that highlights the geological richness of this Cundinamarca territory. Swimmers looking to build their calendar in the area can find the Festiguavio open water circuit taking place just a month prior in the same hydrological system.

Race day logistics

The Blue Race offers three distances: 2km, 5km, and 10km, held on November 15, 2026. Because the reservoir supports critical national energy infrastructure, the event is tightly managed to ensure safety within this vast artificial water body. Participants should arrive at Gachalá prepared for the specific conditions of a high-altitude Andean reservoir, where water temperatures and surface conditions are influenced by the surrounding páramo ecosystem. Whether you are aiming for the 10km endurance challenge or a shorter distance, the course provides a rare perspective of the infrastructure that powers the nation from beneath the surface. Local lodging options in Gachalá allow athletes to stay close to the dam as they prepare for the start signal.