Furia Bajo la Luna — San Juan Epatlán

Furia Bajo la Luna 2026 is a freshwater open water swimming event scheduled for August 8, 2026, in the municipality of San Juan Epatlán, Puebla. Organized by Furia México, the race takes place in an inland lake environment, offering a distinct challenge compared to the coastal circuits often found in the region. Swimmers participating in this mid-summer event should prepare for typical August water temperatures in the central Mexican highlands. For those interested in pursuing additional events within the same basin, the San Juan Epatlán Open Water Marathon, held later in the season, serves as a complementary challenge for those looking to return to these waters.

Historical context of the waters

The name Epatlán originates from the Nahuatl term 'epazotl', referring to the distinctively pungent 'epazote de zorrillo' plant that grows along the shores. Swimming here, one encounters a geography defined by long-standing human presence, as the area was settled by Olmec groups as early as the 10th century. The landscape retains echoes of conflict; on May 28, 1876, the shore served as a critical point during the military confrontation between Lerdistas and Porfiristas, when General José María Coutolenc initiated his uprising against the government. While the nearby Las Bocas archaeological site remains a silent witness to the region's ancient ceramic history, the modern swimmer navigating the lake today experiences a quiet, rural setting far removed from the intensity of 19th-century political skirmishes. The surrounding topography, characterized by the avian-rich highlands of the Totoltepec bird hill, provides a natural backdrop for the course. Swimmers should remain aware that the Puebla region is seismically active, a reality underlined by the 2017 seismic events that affected nearby communities.