Cancún, Quintana Roo — Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa and Benito Juárez Municipal President Ana Paty Peralta de la Peña officially launched the 20th edition of "El Cruce," a prestigious open water swimming competition, with 1,502 athletes participating. The event began at Playa Caracol, with swimmers heading toward Ecopark Caribbean Carnaval on Isla Mujeres.
Olympic Champion and International Participation
This year’s competition featured Paris 2024 Olympic champion Sharon Van Rouwendaal among its participants. The event was held as part of Quintana Roo’s 50th anniversary and Cancún’s 55th anniversary celebrations, taking place from May 17 to 18.
Governor Lezama congratulated the 107 Quintana Roo competitors, emphasizing that her administration prioritizes sports as a cornerstone of social peace under its humanist and feminist policies.
Diverse Competitors and Event Structure
Participants, ranging in age from 11 to 70, represented 28 countries and all 32 Mexican states. Eighty percent were Mexican nationals, while 20% were international swimmers. The competition included three categories:
- Half Iron Swim: 1.9 kilometers
- Iron Swim: 3.8 kilometers (held on Saturday)
- Full Crossing: 10 kilometers (scheduled for Sunday)
Economic and Tourism Impact
The event solidified Quintana Roo’s reputation as a premier destination for international sporting events while boosting Cancún’s visibility. Organizers projected an estimated 10,200 room-nights booked, attracting over 5,000 visitors during the four-day, three-night period. The economic spillover was estimated at 51 million pesos.
Key Attendees
Also present at the ceremony were:
- Rafael Hernández Benet, General Director of Starc Producciones and event organizer
- Jacobo Arzate Hop, President of CODEQ (Quintana Roo State Sports Commission)
- Alejandro Luna López, Director of the Municipal Sports Institute
The event underscored the region’s commitment to fostering elite athletic competition while driving tourism and economic growth.
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