Maratón de Aguas Abiertas Epatlán

Laguna de Epatlán earned the moniker of the region's inland sea for its expansive blue-green basin. It is here in San Juan Epatlán, Puebla, that the Maratón de Aguas Abiertas Epatlán welcomes distance swimmers to its freshwater lake course. Organized by Furia México, the open water gathering was held for the first time in 2024, carving out a dedicated endurance event within central Mexico. Swimmers gather on the shoreline each November for a morning of racing spread across three separate courses: a 500-meter sprint, a 1.25-kilometer loop, and a longer 5-kilometer marathon. The race layout follows a defined circuit of buoys marking the route through the basin, taking participants out into the open water before returning them to the water's edge.

Swimmers embark and finish directly at the El Rincón Mixteco restaurant, following the floating markers as they stroke along the lake. To guarantee safety across all categories, every competitor must wear an official swim cap, carry a timing chip, and pull an individual safety tow buoy behind them across the course.

Laguna de Epatlán: calm waters of Puebla's inland sea

For open water swimmers, the lake offers an inviting, sheltered environment far removed from coastal surf. Sighting across its shimmering surface, the water stretches out under the open sky. Swimmers entering the lagoon find notably mild, comfortable conditions that remain pleasant even as the morning progresses. Without turbulent chop or heavy undertows, the gentle water allows swimmers of all three distances to maintain a relaxed rhythm from start to finish.

Size, temperature and fish of the Laguna de Epatlán

The lagoon of San Juan Epatlán covers about 2.4 square kilometres, roughly 2.1 kilometres long and 1.1 kilometres wide. According to the director of Furia México, the water of the Laguna de Epatlán reaches 27 °C (81 °F) and its currents are calm. The Laguna de San Juan Epatlán lies beside the Interserrana road of Puebla and is home to mojarra, carp, prawns, bass and mullet. The lagoon lies beyond the town of Izúcar de Matamoros on the road towards San Andrés Ahuatlán, next to the temple dedicated to San Juan and to archaeological structures. The municipality of San Juan Epatlán is part of the Valle de Izúcar de Matamoros, at an altitude of more than 1,300 metres above sea level. The Laguna de Epatlán is the only body of water in the Sierra Mixteca that hosts an open water marathon every year, alongside sport fishing competitions.

The folklore of Laguna de Epatlán and the guardian mermaid

The serene character of the basin is deeply tied to the stories that have shaped San Juan Epatlán for generations. According to local folklore, a mermaid once revealed herself to a village fisherman out on the lake. Rather than acting as a menace, she appeared as a benevolent guardian spirit, delivering a charge to watch over the reservoir and protect the purity of its waters. That enduring sense of stewardship still lingers over the lake today, lending an air of enchantment as you sight the shoreline between strokes.

The shoreline of San Juan Epatlán: sugarcane and canoes

The entire lagoon is framed by dense, towering stands of green sugarcane that rustle in the breeze and contrast brightly against the turquoise basin. Looking back toward the banks, swimmers are met with a continuous wall of vibrant green rising straight from the lake perimeter. Beyond race day, the calm surface remains a quiet haven for relaxed exploration. Visitors to the lake often take to the water on rowboats or paddle leisurely in canoes, drifting alongside the sugarcane banks. It makes Laguna de Epatlán a peaceful setting to unwind and enjoy the water long after the finish arch has been cleared away.