Mexico’s world-renowned open water swimming competition known as El Cruce attracted 1,638 participants from 21 countries over the weekend, but at the end of the day, two local Quintana Roo athletes took home the honors.  

Fernando Betanzos Rodríguez and María Elena Carreto Castro were crowned men’s and women’s winners of the 10-km competition on Sunday, the main event that took swimmers through the Caribbean Sea from Playa Caracol in Cancún to Isla Mujeres.

Patty Kohlmann, a Mexican former female freestyle and medley swimmer who participated in two consecutive Summer Olympics for Mexico starting in 1984, described El Cruce (the Crossing) as a true test of endurance, strategy and adaptation to ocean currents.

“The Cruce competition is a must,” Kohlmann said about the competition on her personal Instagram account. “I believe that all open water swimmers must do it at some point because it’s an emblematic swim. It’s a swim that’s been prestigious for many years.”

She’s not alone in her opinion. El Cruce is considered by the World Open Water Swimming Association to be among the 10 most important open water swims in the world due to the physical demands of the course and the natural beauty of the turquoise waters.

Swimmers competed in 13 different categories across the competition. In addition to the 10-km swim, a Half Iron Swim (1.9 km) and an Iron Swim (3.8 km) were held on Saturday.

Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa opened the 21st edition of the competition after a Maya ceremony was held as part of the traditional event.

In addition to establishing Quintana Roo as a major sporting destination, El Cruce is a significant economic and tourism driver for the state, attracting athletes, coaches, families and visitors from around the world. 

Kohlmann said that the competition is particularly difficult because conditions can change dramatically from one day to the next, meaning that you must always be prepared for what might come. She emphasized the importance of the swimmers’ strategy and the ability to adapt their style depending on the conditions. 

She joined the 10-km competition on Sunday. “It was a spectacular swim… some difficult conditions but always fun,” Kohlmann said when asked about her latest experience. 

With reports from Reporte Indigo, El Sol de México and Quintana Roo Hoy