Mexican swimmer David Olvera, originally from Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí, has made history by setting a new World and Guinness Record for the fastest open water swim around Manhattan Island in New York City.
With an official time of 5 hours, 34 minutes, and 58 seconds, Olvera surpassed the previous record set by Scottish-Australian swimmer Andy Donaldson, who completed the same 49-kilometer (30.5-mile) circuit in 5 hours, 41 minutes, and 48 seconds.
This feat is not only a sporting milestone, but also a test of extreme endurance. Over the course of more than five hours, Olvera faced adverse conditions including the cold waters of the Hudson River, strong currents, and the chilly temperatures of New York’s early morning hours. Without stopping, he swam continuously around the entire island of Manhattan.
“Today I can say it with pride and peace: I am the best in the world on this circuit,” Olvera wrote on his social media, where he shared photos and videos of the moment, visibly moved and surrounded by his support team.
Mexican Pride in International Waters
Olvera’s record highlights not only his personal dedication but also elevates Mexico’s profile in the world of open water swimming—an ultra-endurance sport that demands as much as any elite marathon.
With this achievement, Olvera joins a select group of long-distance swimmers who have conquered one of the world’s most iconic and demanding routes: the Manhattan Island circumnavigation, officially recognized by Guinness World Records for its technical and symbolic difficulty.
The Manhattan circuit is considered one of the three swims of the Open Water Swimming “Triple Crown”, along with the English Channel crossing (between Great Britain and France) and the Catalina Channel in California. Breaking a record on this course requires not only physical preparation, but also precise logistics, coordination with safety boats, and an extraordinary ability to adapt to changing conditions.
With this historic swim, Olvera not only writes a new chapter in the legacy of this emblematic circuit, but also inspires a new generation of Mexican athletes to pursue global greatness.
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