Súper Fondo 20k Telchac

Setting off from the pier at Telchac Puerto, the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico stretch out along the coast of Yucatán. The Súper Fondo 20k Telchac is an open water marathon swim held in the sea along the Yucatecan coastline in Mexico. Organized by Aguas Abiertas Yucatán, this long-distance challenge covers 20,000 metres of open coastal water. Swimmers can take on the distance as solo competitors in the men's or women's categories, or enter the two-person tandem relay featuring men's, women's, and mixed divisions. The point-to-point course launches directly from the Telchac pier and traces the shore all the way to Silcer San Benito. Swimmers tackling the full 20 kilometres dive into the water from the pier, while relay participants board transfer boats that ferry them directly to their starting point out at sea.

Swimmers on the 20-kilometre course must reach the finish within a seven-hour cutoff, while relay swimmers have three hours and thirty minutes. In the tandem format, partners do not need to maintain an identical pace or cross the finish line together, allowing each swimmer to manage their own crossing through the sea. The event maintains a close-knit atmosphere by capping total participation at just 50 competitors. Safety along the route is coordinated through an escort fleet comprising support boats, personal kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, a jet ski, lifeguards, and paramedics. Swimmers have the option to bring their own kayaker to accompany them, with the event committee providing the kayak if notified at least 15 days before the race.

Before the swim, an essential briefing brings competitors and paddlers together to run through directions, coordinate hand signals, and arrange hydration feeds. Every swimmer who completes the journey is rewarded with a participation medal. The marathon has established its place on the peninsula since its inaugural edition took place in November 2022. Subsequent editions have tested marathon swimmers across different stretches of the Yucatecan coastline, including an edition staged from the Playa Asta Bandera beach zone in Progreso and an edition held off the beach at the Muelle de Sisal.

Telchac Puerto: fishing harbour and the ribbed lighthouse

Before entering the water, swimmers gather in Telchac Puerto, a quiet fishing village set on the central Gulf coast of Yucatán. The local community retains a strong maritime trade, operating artisanal fishing fleets that work the waters of the lagoon and the jettied pass. These productive waters yield regular catches of sardines, jack crevalle, snook, and spotted seatrout. Standing watch over the harbour entrance is the village lighthouse, an imposing 12-metre concrete tower built with four external ribs, a lantern, and an observation gallery. Every eight seconds, the beacon emits three distinct white flashes over the water. The Sea Museum opened in April 2014 to showcase coastal knowledge. A short ten-minute journey from the port leads to Playa de Coco, a shoreline shaded by coconut palms that famously survived a lethal yellowing epidemic that swept the peninsula in the 1980s.

The Yucatan shore: mangroves, white sand and coastal lagoons

Around nine kilometres down the coast, near San Crisanto, coastal mangrove networks widen into expansive wetland habitats. These interconnected mangrove channels and coastal ecosystems sustain a vibrant community of marine birds, crustaceans, and fish. The surrounding mainland is also dotted with natural cenotes—freshwater sinkholes of deep ecological and cultural significance across the peninsula.

Silcer San Benito: the beach club finish line

After long hours in the water, the journey concludes at Silcer San Benito. Coming ashore on the beach in front of the club, swimmers can step out of the surf and sit down to celebrate their crossing with a seaside breakfast. Following the event, the surrounding coast offers an unhurried seaside atmosphere where visitors can easily spend an afternoon. Small seafood restaurants are dotted along the oceanfront malecon, serving fresh catches from the local fleet right beside the water. The day finishes right where the swimming journey ends.