Marnaton Formentera 2027

Swimming in some of the clearest waters of the Mediterranean, between Ses Illetes and Es Pujols, as part of a leading open-water circuit: that is the Marnaton Formentera. It is a 8 km swim along the coast of Formentera, on the Balearic stage of the Marnaton Cup. General information: - The 11th edition is expected on Saturday 2027-05-01. That is the date shown in race calendars; the previous edition was held on Saturday 2026-05-02, with nearly 1,000 swimmers across all distances. - It is organised by Marnaton and is for swimmers aged 18 and over. There may be exceptions for minors depending on the distance, shown at registration. - Categories range from Absolute and Junior to +18, +30, +40, +50, +60 and +70. Why it is special: - Formentera has turquoise water over protected posidonia meadows, with a visibility few open-water swims can match. - It is more than a race: in the previous edition the weekend included a swim clinic at Cala Saona on Friday, a sunset party with prize-giving at Hostal La Savina on Saturday and a yoga session on Sunday. - The organiser is experienced with changing conditions. In 2026 a strong easterly wind meant switching to Plan B at Cala Saona, where the sea was flat, and the event went ahead safely. Course: The route starts on the west side of Ses Illetes and crosses Es Pas, the channel at the northern tip of the island, before heading along the coast to Es Pujols. The start is at Ses Illetes (west side) and the finish is in Es Pujols. Alternative routes (Plan B) are published for each distance in case sea conditions do not allow the main course. Timetable: in the previous edition the start was at 09:30 and the time limit was 4 h with checkpoints at km 3 and km 6. In general, the regulations set a cut-off of 30 minutes per km. A bus runs from Es Pujols to the start at 08:30. There is no start corral in the water: everyone starts from the beach together. Registration and prices: registration is on RockTheSport and closes 10 days before the event or when places run out. Prices for 2027 have not yet been published. As a guide, in 2024 Formentera residents paid 57.50 € with a 50% discount, which puts the general fee at around 115 €. In the previous edition participants also got a 30% discount on Baleària ferries. The fee includes accident insurance, assistance in the water and at the finish, refreshments, the event cap and T-shirt, bag storage and chip timing. There are trophies or medals for the top three in each category. Gear and wetsuits: - The official cap, the numbered wristband, the ankle chip and a buoy are mandatory; without a buoy there is no classification. - The water is usually 16–18 °C, and a wetsuit is highly recommended. If the water drops below 17 °C, the organiser may make it compulsory. As it is over 3 km, there is a no-wetsuit (SN) category, which must be declared at registration with a certificate; SN swimmers are excluded from their age category. Bib pickup: in the previous edition bib and bag collection was at Hotel Rocabella in Es Pujols, on Friday from 17:00 to 20:00 and on Saturday from 07:00 to 08:00. The briefing was on Friday at 19:00 at the same hotel. Bibs cannot be collected at the start. At the start there is bag storage in a marked van, plus water, vaseline and toilets. There is no expo: the meeting point is the hotel and the finish in Es Pujols. Bib exchange: a name change is allowed up to 15 days before the race for 10 €. A change of distance is also possible within the same deadline if places remain. Cancellations are refunded at 60% up to 2 months before and 30% up to 1 month before, unless you bought the 100% refund service. No official waiting list has been announced. Alternatives to get a bib: if places sell out, join the waiting list on Bibready by activating a bib alert. If you are the one who can't swim, use bib exchange on Bibready to find a replacement and process the name change before the deadline. FAQ: - When is it? It is expected on 2027-05-01. - Is a wetsuit compulsory? Not always, but it is highly recommended and may be required if the water drops below 17 °C. - Do I need a buoy? Yes, it is mandatory. - Can I change the name on my entry? Yes, up to 15 days before, for 10 €. - Where do I collect my bib? At Hotel Rocabella in Es Pujols, based on the previous edition.