The Longest Open Water Swimming Race In The World
The last race in the Quini 6 series and the second race on the FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix circuit is the 88 km (54.6 miles) Maratón Hernandarias-Paraná race.Although it is a downstream river swim, it is technically the longest professional race in the world in terms of distance. Former world champion and American marathon swimmer Erica Rose, who finished third in 9 hours 40 minutes in 2007 and sixth in 10 hours 5 minutes in the 2005 Maratón Hernandarias-Paraná, recalls her experiences.
“The race itself is incredible. It is challenging, for sure. There are some points when the river is narrow and you feel like you’re moving quickly, but there are other points where you can’t see either bank of the river at all and you have no idea where you are or if your rowers are taking you in the right direction.”
“The people in Parana and Hernandarias are amazing. They get so excited about the marathon that they celebrate the week leading into it and line the banks of the river when you’re swimming. They’re incredibly supportive of the swimmers and treat us like celebrities.”
Photo of Erica Rose swimming in the Maratón Hernandarias-Paraná.
Copyright © 2014 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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