Gran Retto 2026 will make Varadero the open-water capital

Photo: Calixto N. Llanes / Granma newspaper

The fifth consecutive edition of the Gran Retto Open Water event will take place from September 11 to 13 in Varadero, cementing its status as one of Cuba’s most important and established sporting events.

The competition will bring together a large group of swimmers, mainly from Cuba and Mexico, where the main organizers reside. The opening ceremony will include registration, the distribution of materials to participants, and a traditional press conference.

The races will begin on Saturday, September 12, with distances of 750 meters, 1.5 kilometers, and 3 kilometers, alongside a Recreational Sports Festival and the “Milla de la Cerveza” fun run. On Sunday, September 13, the long-distance races will take place, featuring 5 and 10-kilometer courses, followed by the awards ceremony and closing ceremony.

A notable new feature of this edition is that the Gran Retto coincides with a stop on the international Panam Aquatics Open Water Swimming Series circuit, which will take place in Varadero for the first time. This partnership fulfills a promise made during the previous edition by Maureen Croes, president of Panam Aquatics.

The organizers highlighted the importance of this event, which will allow amateur swimmers, masters swimmers, and elite athletes to compete simultaneously within a high-level international framework. Competitors from more than 40 countries are expected to participate in future editions, which will strengthen Varadero’s reputation as a venue for continental and global events.