Quintana Roo Dominates 20th Bacalar Open Water Marathon

Swimmers competing in the Bacalar Open Water Marathon at the Laguna de los Siete Colores

Bacalar, Quintana Roo — Swimmers from Quintana Roo dominated the 20th edition of the Bacalar Open Water Marathon, held this weekend at the Laguna de los Siete Colores. The event drew 1,595 athletes from five countries and multiple Mexican states.

The competition began Saturday with the 1.25-kilometer Ruta del Pirata race. Xavier Domínguez of Playa del Carmen won the men’s division in 17 minutes and 11 seconds, while Melissa Torres of Chetumal took the women’s title with a time of 17 minutes and 2 seconds.

Sunday featured the main 10-kilometer event. David Pech won the men’s race in 2 hours, 32 minutes, and 42 seconds. Melissa Torres completed a perfect weekend by winning the women’s 10-kilometer race in 2 hours, 45 minutes, and 12 seconds.

The marathon also included distances of 250 meters, 2.5 kilometers, 5 kilometers, and 7.5 kilometers.

Iván Torres, director of the Tourism, Sports and Culture Promotion Agency (PROTUDEC), celebrated the event’s 20th anniversary and thanked state and municipal authorities, security personnel, volunteers, and sponsors for their support.

At the opening ceremony, Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama gave the starting signal alongside Jacobo Arzate, president of the Quintana Roo Sports Commission (CODEQ), and Bacalar Mayor José Alfredo Contreras Méndez.

The event is considered one of Mexico’s most important open water competitions and generates significant economic activity for Bacalar.

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By Staff Desk

The Riviera Maya News & Events Staff Desk covers local events, cultural celebrations, community stories, and general news from across the Riviera Maya and Yucatán Peninsula. The Staff Desk produces timely coverage of festivals, municipal announcements, community initiatives, and stories that don't fall under a single specialist beat, ensuring that every corner of the region receives balanced attention.The Staff Desk draws from municipal calendars, event organizers, community submissions, and official announcements to keep English-speaking readers informed about what's happening in their communities — from charity events and school programs to local government services and cultural exhibitions.When individual bylines are not used, the Staff Desk attribution reflects collaborative reporting by the editorial team, with the same editorial standards, fact-checking, and translation review applied to every story.