Articles

Articles, Ensenada

Tourists and Locals Celebrate La Misión’s New Bridge

Crossing Without Playing Frogger

Playa La Misión has always been a curious mix. Families set up tents, kids kick soccer balls, and drivers on the scenic highway race past like they’re late for a wedding. For decades, the real danger here wasn’t the surf—it was crossing the road without becoming a hood ornament.

Now, salvation is rising in steel and concrete: a new pedestrian bridge is under construction right across from the beach. Workers started in June, and while the official line says November, some optimists claim October. We’ll believe it when we see it.

The S-Shaped Star

This isn’t your typical boxy overpass. The design has an S-curve, giving La Misión a bridge with a little flair. It’s the kind of project that makes locals whisper, “Wait—are they actually finishing this one?” Considering Baja’s track record of half-built bridges, that alone deserves applause.

Concrete proof that Baja miracles exist.
#S-shaped and stylish—La Misión levels up.

Safer Sand and Surf

La Misión isn’t exactly a swimmer’s paradise. The surf is strong, and lifeguards recommend sticking to volleyball, soccer, or long walks. Camping is popular, and if you want calmer waters, the La Misión river is perfect for kayaking. Add tacos, a few cold beers, and you get the full family recipe.

The missing ingredient? Safe access. Until now, families ran across the highway dodging SUVs and semis. With the new bridge, both locals and tourists finally get a safe way to reach the sand without sprinting like Olympic athletes.

A Win for Everyone

Drivers get fewer near-death surprises, pedestrians get safer crossings, and La Misión gets a touch of dignity. Whether the ribbon gets cut in October or November, this bridge is a small miracle on the scenic highway.

For once, the view won’t just be breathtaking—it’ll also be a little less life-threatening.

0 948
Team Spirit and Big Catches
 Articles, Ensenada, Fishing

Big Fish, Big Prizes at Dos Mares Baja in Ensenada

ENSENADA – Ready to hook half a million pesos? The international sportfishing tournament Dos Mares Baja California drops anchor this weekend in Ensenada.

The Prize Catch

Organized by SEPESCA BC and the Baja Sportfishing Clubs Association, the event promises serious rewards:

  • 200,000 pesos for first place
  • 100,000 pesos for second
  • 60,000 pesos for third
  • 30,000 pesos for Catch and Release champions
  • 10,000 pesos each for best female, child, and captain

And yes, everyone gets a shot at raffles and jackpot categories for surface and bottom fish.

Species in the Spotlight

Surface hunters can bring in swordfish, bigeye tuna, yellowfin, marlin, dorado, wahoo, jacks, bonito, and roosterfish. Bottom contenders include halibut, lingcod, cabrilla, pargo, and cochito. In Catch and Release, only the heavy hitters count: gulf grouper, broomtail grouper, and giant sea bass.

Weekend Agenda

  • Friday, Aug. 29: Registration 2–6:30 pm at Monumento al Pescador. Opening and captain’s meeting at 7:15 pm.
  • Saturday, Aug. 30: Boats head out at 6 am. Weigh-in 2–4 pm at the malecón. Awards at 7:15 pm back at the monument.
Showoff at the Dock
#That grin says it all—worth every hour under the Baja sun.

Beyond the Rod and Reel

SEPESCA’s Alma Rosa García Juárez credits local maritime and port authorities, ASIPONA Ensenada, and CONAPESCA for making the event possible. The tournament also reels in tourism revenue. Hotels, restaurants, and tackle shops all get a welcome bump as anglers flood the city.

Why It Matters

The Dos Mares isn’t just about bragging rights and prize money. It’s about tradition, community, and proving to your friends that the one that got away actually didn’t.

For details, visit bajasport.fishing/dosmares or call +52 646 172 3080 (ext. 3264 and 3318).

0 516
Contramar Fest 2025 Press Crew
 Articles, Events, San Quintin

San Quintín Welcomes Contramar Fest with Wine and Sunset Magic

San Quintín is ready for the fourth edition of Contramar Fest. On September 6 at Playa San Ramón, Vicente Guerrero, visitors will enjoy seafood, wine, beer, and one legendary sunset.

Local Leaders Toast the Event

During the press conference, Baja California’s Secretary of Tourism, Zaida Luz López Sánchez, praised the festival. “It celebrates our identity, fuels the economy, and shows the strength of our cuisine,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ana Lourdes Lomelí Morales, CEO of the festival, stressed its original goal. Since 2021, Contramar has worked to spotlight San Quintín’s food, art, and traditions.


Contramar Fest swag lands on Francisco Ortega’s desk—because every Tourism Director deserves more than paperwork.

Sea, Land, and Plenty of Wine

This year’s menu features clams, oysters, lobster, and ceviches. Guests can pair them with wines like Prestigio de Becerra, from the valley’s first winery, and Vino Love, courtesy of Luis Alberto Lomelí Morales.

In addition, Anays Naranjo Araiza of Comercializadora Jimnar confirmed that local co-ops will supply fresh seafood. She also revealed their craft beer, created to match the region’s catch.

Music, Dancing, and That Sunset

The entertainment is just as tempting. Contramar Fest promises five hours of live music. The lineup shifts from DJs to norteño to dance beats. “Smile, taste, drink, and dance,” remains the official motto.

As a result, visitors can sip, dance, and then watch the sun set in style.

Beyond the Festival

Maricela Valladolid, VP of Proturismo San Quintín, said Contramar is part of a larger push to promote the town. Likewise, Francisco Alfredo Ortega Gamboa, municipal tourism director, explained that it now joins events like the Almejazo, Langostazo, Fiestas de la Vendimia and Agrofest. Both already attract fans from California, Arizona, and across Baja.

If You Go

  • 📍 Playa San Ramón, Vicente Guerrero, San Quintín
  • 📅 September 6, 2025 – from 3:00 p.m.
  • 🎟️ Tickets at Casa Magnolia, Ensenada, or @Contramar_fest on Instagram
  • 💲 $500–$600 pesos

Organizers also confirmed safety measures. Finally, they encouraged visitors to extend their stay. Options include missions, lagoons, volcanic hikes, and stargazing in San Pedro Mártir.

Bonus for Readers

Your GGNorth reporter walked away with a Sauvignon Blanc 2020 “Prestigio de Becerra”. The label even has a radar chart—stat fans will understand the thrill. Also gifted: a Jimnar Beer “El Chute Ámbar.”

Curious about the taste? Drop a comment, and I may share my review. It might even spark the next “Sabor Patrol” adventure.

0 545
Mapping the Night Ahead
 Articles

First Night Census in Tijuana Brings Hope and Data

Counting People, Not Problems

While most of us slept, more than 300 workers hit Tijuana’s streets. Their mission: the city’s first-ever night census of people living on the streets. The goal is simple. Who are they, where are they, and how many are there? If you want to plan the future, you better know the present.

How They Did It

The effort came under Governor Marina del Pilar’s orders and tied into the national program led by President Claudia Sheinbaum. A command center buzzed at Delegación Centro, hosting federal, state, and city officials. On the ground, teams spread across the Zona Norte, Zona Centro, La Mesa, Playas de Tijuana, and San Antonio de los Buenos.

Each group had staff from health, social welfare, and public safety. They carried supplies, clipboards, and enough coffee to fuel an army. Their task: record everyone they could find, all night long.

Words from the Top

Beatriz Olivares from the National Center for Crime Prevention put it this way:

“We worked together to close the gap of inequality.”

State Secretary Alfredo Álvarez Cárdenas said the census created a reliable database to connect people with health, shelter, ID, and jobs. Mayor Ismael Burgueño went a step further, calling it “an act of empathy” and a way to humanize those often ignored.

Census Squad Selfie
#Mayor Burgueño and team pause the headcount for a headshot. Proof that even serious nights need a smile.

What Comes Next?

That’s the big question. The census gives Tijuana a snapshot. Now comes the real challenge—turning numbers into action. That means opening shelters, boosting mental health care, and linking people to jobs. The hard part isn’t counting. The hard part is following through.

Learning from Los Angeles

Other cities already do this. In Los Angeles, volunteers conduct the “Homeless Count” every January. Thousands walk neighborhoods for three nights, logging who sleeps on sidewalks, in tents, or in cars. They repeat it yearly, because the situation changes fast. Housing costs, migration, and addiction all reshape the crisis.

The lesson for Tijuana? One night isn’t enough. A census is useful only if it becomes routine, transparent, and followed by action.

We’ll Be Watching

This first night census is a start, not a finish line. The next step is clear: show the results and act on them. GGNorth will keep an eye on whether this late-night headcount sparks real change or ends up filed under “good intentions.”

Because yes, the city finally counted its invisibles. Now we’ll see if it can give them more than a number.

0 556
 Articles, Ensenada, Public Security, Video

“Enough Is Enough”: How the Cartels Choke the Seafood Lifeline of Baja California

We pride ourselves on bringing you No Bad News. That’s the deal. But some truths demand an exception. Today, we echo a voice too long suppressed by fear—and we refuse to let it be silenced.

They call it derecho de piso—literally a “floor right,” but let’s be clear: it’s nothing more than protection money, cartel extortion in its rawest form. For decades, Ensenada’s seafood industry—from abalone harvesters to family-run marisquerías—has been strangled by this invisible tax.

Dark waters run deeper than we thought. Cartels like Sinaloa and CJNG don’t just threaten—they control every link of the chain. They underpay the catch, enforce quotas, hijack supply, and procure “monitored” seafood—often at gunpoint—leaving independent operators to choose between extortion or obliteration.

The Voices We’ve Already Lost

  • Minerva Pérez, head of Baja California’s fisheries chamber and CEO of Atenea en el Mar, spoke out against illegal fishing and extortion—and paid with her life. She was ambushed and shot multiple times outside her Ensenada office in July 2024, just hours after warning the world of cartel infiltration in seafood markets.
  • Sunshine Antonio Rodríguez Peña, a leader in Mexicali’s fishing community, was executed in broad daylight last March—firefights rattled social media minutes after he was live-streaming his fish stand.
  • Servando Valenzuela Nakato, a respected shark-business entrepreneur in Ensenada, was gunned down in December 2024—his life cut short for daring to trade in lawful seafood markets.
  • Emilio Ohiiashi Manjarrez Masuda, a known seafood distributor, was also killed—another voice erased from the chain that feeds families and sustains livelihoods.
  • Rubén Marín Villalobos, founder of the seafood cart El Chava, was assassinated just last week while buying shrimp and octopus at the fish market Mares del Pacífico—a routine visit turned fatal at the very heart of the industry. He was remembered by customers and family as “sencillo, amable y cálido” (simple, kind, warm), yet no arrests have been announced even as the investigation continues.

Each of these tragedies traces back to the same root: a cartel chokehold stretching across sea, supply, and street.

A Voice That Broke Through

And then came Moisés Muñiz, young owner of Mariscos El Compa Moy. On August 23, 2025, his heart-wrenching video exploded nationwide:

“My people… starting today, Mariscos El Compa Moy is closing its doors permanently due to insecurity…, protection money.”

His dream—like so many others—was stolen not by market forces, but by violence and impunity.

Why It Matters—and Why You Should Care

This isn’t an isolated problem—it’s systemic:

  • Cartels control every point: from fishing boats to kitchen tables. Fishers earn as little as 60–75 percent of fair market value—or less—while the rest fills cartel pockets.
  • Illegal species trade is rampant: Highly endangered creatures like totoaba are trafficked for profit, amplifying environmental collapse and cartel dominance.
  • Government response is hollow: Condemnations without action—“cowardly” killings met with empty investigations—only embolden cartels.

Listen to Moisés Muñiz (August 23, 2025)

“My people, starting today, Mariscos El Compa Moy is closing its doors permanently due to insecurity in the municipality. … I have been working here for four years—this was my dream. But today, those dreams have been taken away, just like many of my colleagues in the industry.”

This isn’t just another restaurant shutting down—it’s a siren over dying hopes, a cry for rescue from a community being starved by terror.

These cartels aren’t just drug clans—they’re seafood oligarchs suffocating Ensenada’s lifeblood. And until government forces rise from clichés to concrete action, we’ll keep losing more than fish—we’ll be losing culture, survival, and courage.

0 501
The Reel Deal: Séptimo 2.0 Is Here
 Articles

Ensenada’s Séptimo 2.0 Reveals Free Indie Film Lineup

The wait is over, popcorn lovers. Ensenada’s indie film showcase Séptimo 2.0 just dropped its official selection list, and it’s packed with fresh voices ready to hit the screen.

Back in July, we told you about this showcase and its call for local creators. “Lights, camera, community,” we wrote, and it turns out the community delivered. Dozens of submissions came in, and now the final roster is set.

A Spotlight for Baja’s Storytellers

Víctor Valdez—better known as “Broflyy” to fellow cinephiles and creative rebels—runs the show. As director of Séptimo 2.0, he insists the festival is more than just screenings. “Séptimo is a space built for emerging artists,” he explains, “a place to expose and highlight new cinematic voices in our region.”

The formula works. Films shot in garages, scripts refined in cafés, and stories too raw for algorithm-driven streaming giants now have their night under the lights. Moreover, the showcase proves that talent in Baja does not need Hollywood backing to shine.

And the best part? It’s free.

So, mark your calendars:

Mitos Mezcal, Blvd. Costero 263, Zona Centro, Ensenada (across from Plaza Marina).

September 6, 2025.

🎟️ Entrance: Free. Yes, zero pesos.

In addition to the screenings, the evening will feature mezcal tastings and live music. As a result, the event feels less like a stiff festival and more like a community celebration.

The Official Selection

Here’s who made the cut for Séptimo 2.0:

  • Coyote — Dir. Iván Montes
  • Odd Breakfast — Dir. Eduardo Armenta & Julio Zamarripa
  • Unmei (Destiny) — Dir. Carlos Camargo
  • Todo Como en el 2006 — Dir. Samy Martínez
  • Carnales — Dir. Maurizio Villa
  • Efímero — Dir. Angélica Toba
  • Lolo — Dir. Ana Gutiérrez Salgado
  • La Hija del Sol — Dir. Moisés Acuña & Jesús Hernández

And in the Cineminutos category:

  • Yo Te Encuentro — Dir. Alex Moreno-Novelo
  • Ventanillas — Dir. Alex Moreno-Novelo
Stories That Refuse to Stay Quiet
#Stories That Refuse to Stay Quiet
Four Films, Endless Voices
#Four Films, Endless Voices
Sixty Seconds, Big Impact
#Sixty Seconds, Big Impact

Each project seems to bring something unique. For example, some look like gritty urban tales, others resemble experimental shorts, and a few hint at intimate family stories. Meanwhile, a couple appear to deliver visual trips that might stretch the definition of cinema. So, if you’ve ever wanted a crash course in what Baja’s creative underground looks like, this lineup might just be it.

Why It Matters

For years, Baja was a backdrop for Hollywood productions pretending to be “somewhere else.” Local crews got the work, but the stories weren’t ours. Now, however, with directors like Álvarez, Fisher, and this new crop of talent, Baja is telling its own stories.

Therefore, Séptimo 2.0 matters. These filmmakers are not chasing Marvel budgets or Netflix algorithms. Instead, they’re creating stories that feel close, urgent, and real. Furthermore, initiatives backed by the Subsecretariat for Creative Industries under the Baja State Ministry of Economy and Innovation are helping these voices reach new audiences.

For viewers, that means a two-for-one deal: support emerging filmmakers and sip mezcal while doing it.

Final Reel

So, here’s your official invitation: on September 6, head to Mitos Mezcal. Celebrate directors who turned small resources into big ideas, watch films you won’t find anywhere else, and raise a glass to Baja’s next generation of storytellers.

After all, tomorrow’s “big names” might just be hiding in tonight’s free screening.

0 550
Paellas2025
 Articles, Ensenada, Wine

35 Years of Paella, Wine, and Music Create Baja Energy

Ensenada sure knows how to throw a party. The annual Paella Contest at Viña de Liceaga once again proved it, celebrating its 35th anniversary with food, wine, music, and just the right amount of chaos.

A Crowd Ready for Fun

The vibe was unmistakable. Families, couples, groups of friends, and a few brave loners all strolled in ready to eat, drink, and gossip about whose paella had too much saffron. Meanwhile, others simply claimed the best shade spot and let the feast come to them.

Cooking paella over leña might look romantic in photos. However, the reality is sweaty, smoky, and sometimes downright dangerous. One chef swore the smoke gave his rice “extra flavor.” Maybe. Yet I’m pretty sure it just gave me watery eyes.

When Fire Meets Footwear

At one point, while interviewing a paellero, a rogue ember leapt from the fire and landed on my boot. I brushed it off like nothing happened. Later, when I got home, I realized the sole had melted into modern art. In the end, that’s how you know it was a memorable fiesta.

Sipping Through the Vineyards

Wine, of course, was the co-star of the day. Rows of vinícolas lined up, pouring glass after glass, each more tempting than the last. As a result, guests happily bounced between tastings, comparing notes—or just nodding politely when someone mentioned “balanced acidity.”

A personal highlight came with Cava Dragón, making its debut. It quickly became the wine you brag about tasting before it got famous. The winemakers seemed thrilled too. Because they shared rows with fellow producers, they swapped vineyard stories like old buddies.

A Lesson with a Toast

Over at the Liceaga booth, things got even better. We filmed a tasting session that included a flawless explanation in English. It wasn’t just informative—it felt like a master class with a refill in hand. Honestly, it could have been a Netflix special.

Meanwhile, music filled the air. With two stages, guests switched between upbeat jams and softer tunes. Consequently, the crowd never lost energy, even as they balanced paella plates while grooving to a guitar riff.

Winners Take the Spotlight

As always, the Liceaga family deserves a big gracias for opening their vineyard. Without them, hundreds of happy, slightly tipsy guests wouldn’t have such a playground.

And now, the moment everyone waited for—the winners of 2025:

🥘 Quality Category

🥇 1st Place: Flor y Compañía

🥈 2nd Place: Los Ponchos

🥉 3rd Place: Los Moreno

4th: Los Abarca

5th: Constructora Makro

🥘 Presentation Category

🥇 1st Place: Xatos Paella

🥈 2nd Place: Vivencias

🥉 3rd Place: Cheo Paellas

4th: Constructora Makro

5th: Los Rústicos

Thanks to every team who battled the flames, stirred endlessly, and nervously watched the judges chew in silence. Because of their efforts, we all ate like kings.

Until Next Year

For us at the Gazette, the cherry on top was running into so many readers. We loved the selfies, the laughs, and the chance to sneak bites from your plates.

By sunset, the verdict was clear. The Paella Contest isn’t just food and wine—it’s tradition. It’s that Baja magic where strangers become amigos, and everyone leaves with a full belly and a happy heart.

Some even leave with melted boots.

See you next year for round 36. Bring sunscreen, stretchy pants, and maybe steel-toe shoes.

0 600
State Water Agency Shares Rosarito Desal Plant Progress
 Articles, Ensenada, Rosarito, Tijuana, Water Watch

Rosarito’s Big Plan to Bring More Water to Ensenada

Rosarito’s dry promise might finally pour

On Friday, August 22, Baja California’s Secretary of Water, Víctor Daniel Amador Barragán, met with Ensenada’s top business group to talk water. Again.

This time, he came with numbers, blueprints, and what sounds like political backing. The focus? The infamous Rosarito Desalination Plant. The one we’ve all heard about, but never actually seen.

2,200 liters per second? That’s the goal

The plan, according to Amador Barragán, is to build the plant under CONAGUA, with the state in charge of operations. The plant is still in the planning and engineering phase — yes, still.

But they’re talking serious numbers now:

  • Capacity: 2,200 liters per second
  • Budget: 15 billion pesos
  • Impact: Double the water supply to Ensenada
  • Bonus: Also benefits Tijuana and Rosarito

If all goes well, this plant could finally put an end to water rotations and last-minute garrafón runs.

A bigger plan for a thirstier Baja

This plant isn’t a solo act. It’s part of the Programa Estatal Hídrico (PEH), which currently includes 58 active projects. The total investment: over 24 billion pesos.

These projects aim to fix everything from drinking water access to wastewater management. And if that’s not enough, there’s the Bono Verde (Green Bond) initiative too.

The Green Bond covers 59 additional projects, worth 3.2 billion pesos:

  • 36 for potable water
  • 19 for sewage
  • 4 for water reuse

It’s a full-on attack against Baja’s water problems — on paper, at least.

The business community wants to believe

The meeting was held with the Consejo Coordinador Empresarial de Ensenada (CCEE). Their president, Julio Salinas López, welcomed the plan and praised the state’s attention to water infrastructure.

He called the project a step toward not only better service, but also poverty reduction. Access to water, he argued, affects health, education, and the economy. And he’s not wrong.

Still, these business leaders have seen plenty of “in-progress” projects stall. So while they’re hopeful, they’re also cautious — and likely keeping an eye on the budget sheet.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard this

Back in May, we covered the reactivation of this very same plant. It was headline-worthy then, and it still is now.

Baja’s Big Water Fix Starts in Rosarito

Even my dear Martina Dobesh got in on the action. In her Water Watch column, she warned of the risks of continued inaction. Her editorial in July 2024 was clear: no more delays, or the state could face massive water cuts.

A Stark Warning of Water Cuts – A Water Watch Editorial

She said what most people were thinking but few dared to write. You don’t have to agree with her tone to know she’s got a point.

So, will we finally get water or just more words?

Here’s the good news: the plans are detailed, the budget is real, and the political support seems aligned. That’s more than we had five years ago.

The bad news? Nothing has broken ground yet. Not a single pipe has been laid. Not one shovel photo-op. And until that happens, it’s hard to say this time is different.

Still, if you’re tired of hearing your neighbor’s pump running all night, or rationing toilet flushes, this might be a step in the right direction.

Just keep the garrafón around — for now.

0 625
 Articles, Tijuana, Wildlife

Massive Whale Found Dead on Tijuana Shore

Beachgoers in Playas de Tijuana got more than just sand in their shoes this week—they got a front-row seat to a 10-foot whale burial.

Yep, you read that right.

On Monday afternoon, a whale washed ashore on the Tijuana coastline, and by Tuesday morning, city workers—alongside Mexico’s environmental agency PROFEPA—showed up with heavy machinery to dig the big guy’s final resting place.

According to officials, the whale had already been dead for over 24 hours by the time the sun came up Tuesday. Low tide hit around 6:45 a.m., and that’s when the backhoes rolled in. Nothing like a dawn funeral with a salty breeze.

Wrapped in a caution tape perimeter (because nobody needs a selfie inside a decomposing whale), the burial became an unexpected attraction. Locals stopped by to snap pics and breathe through their mouths—because by then, the smell had arrived.

“I usually see seals or sea lions washed up,” said René Guzmán, a jogger who frequents the beach. “But this is definitely the biggest I’ve seen.” He also mentioned some mystery creature that floated in a few months back. “It had fur and paws. No idea what it was. The ocean took care of it.”

Nature at work.

As for the cause of death? That’s still a mystery. But officials suspect the same phenomenon that’s been harming marine mammals up and down the coast: domoic acid poisoning. Basically, some not-so-innocent algae bloom releases a toxin. Little fish eat it, big fish eat the little fish, and then sea lions—and possibly whales—end up with neurological damage. Think of it as food poisoning… but ocean-style.

The toxin’s origin? Washington State. Because apparently even algae enjoy a Baja vacation, hitching a ride down the Pacific current.

The algae issue is still under investigation by CICESE and a lab charmingly named “ficotox,” which sounds like something Batman would fight. But until then, the beaches remain under watch—and every now and then, under whale.

Authorities are asking people to steer clear of the burial site to give workers space. And also, you know, avoid the aroma.

So, if your beach walk turns into a biology lesson (or crime scene-looking cordon), now you know: Tijuana’s taking care of its fallen visitors… one whale-sized grave at a time.

2 785
 Articles

Love, Sweat, and Lagartijas at the Ensenada Half Marathon

Ensenada doesn’t just make wine and fish tacos. We also know how to host a serious race with a not-so-serious vibe. On Sunday, August 17, the city’s waterfront turned into a giant track for the 22nd Powerade Ensenada International Half Marathon, drawing thousands of runners, cheerleaders, and more than a few tired legs.

Over 2,500 athletes took on the 21k challenge, while another 2,300 participants joined the 2k fun run. The combination made the boulevard feel less like a street and more like a moving, sweaty parade.

Starting with honor

The event began on a note of respect and tradition. A civic ceremony opened the day, featuring the Banda de Guerra and Escolta from the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Campus Ensenada, under the leadership of psychologist Carlos Cortés. The beat of the drums and the sharp presence of the escolta gave the runners a sendoff that was as solemn as it was motivating. It’s not every day you lace up your sneakers to the rhythm of a UABC marching band.

A giant flag, a giant start 🇲🇽
#The UABC honor guard, led by Carlos Cortés, set the tone with Mexico’s colors before thousands hit the boulevard.

The men’s showdown

The men’s race quickly turned into a battle of pace and grit. Daniel “Pollito” Valdez López of Mexicali stole the show with a winning time of 1:09:22.0. His performance had fans cheering and earned him bragging rights as the fastest bird on the boulevard.

Second place went to César Mireles Barrios, also of Mexicali, who crossed the line in 1:09:46.6. Hot on their heels was Bernard Kibet Too from Zacatecas, finishing third with 1:10:09.4. With less than a minute separating the top three, the finish line tension could have been cut with a butter knife.

#Pollito rules Ensenada 🏅

The women’s drama

On the women’s side, Natali Naomi Mendoza of Uruapan, Michoacán, claimed victory in 1:16:47. Close behind was Argentina Valdepeñas at 1:17:47, with Mary Akor taking third in 1:21:19.

Now here’s where the race gets more than just athletic. Word around the finish line is that Mendoza might be the girlfriend of Pollito himself. We can’t confirm it, but if true, Ensenada may have just crowned running’s new power couple—literally crossing the line as champions together. Move over Kardashians, the running world has its own golden duo now.

Local pride on the course

Not every hero wears a bib number in the single digits. Some wear a newspaper bag. Our very own Alberto Rosas Hernández, who delivers the Gringo Gazette in southern Ensenada, finished the 21k with an official time of 1:44:41. When he’s not dropping the Gazette on doorsteps, he’s clearly putting in the miles. Alberto is living proof that community heroes aren’t just behind steering wheels or desks—they’re on the course, racing with heart.

Scenes from the finish line

If you camped out at the finish line like we did, you got more than just split times. Some runners gave every last ounce of energy and collapsed dramatically as they crossed. Volunteers rushed to help, and thankfully, everyone was okay. Others, fueled by who-knows-what, celebrated with push-ups—because apparently 21 kilometers just isn’t enough.

The most emotional scenes, though, came from families. Kids sprinted across the last meters to grab the hands of their parents or siblings. Hugs, tears, and cheers filled the finish line, reminding everyone that running is just as much about love as it is about endurance.

Big rewards and bigger smiles

The event wasn’t only about medals. With a record 274,500 pesos in prize money and more than 100 raffles from generous sponsors, the marathon felt like a blend of competition and raffle night. Even those who didn’t crack the top spots had a shot at walking away with something—besides sore calves.

Why Ensenada wins again

What sets Ensenada apart isn’t just the fast times or the scenic coastal course. It’s the atmosphere. From the UABC band giving the sendoff, to rumors of a running love story, to Alberto’s community-powered finish, this was more than a race. It was a reminder that the city doesn’t need much of an excuse to come together and celebrate.

The 2025 Ensenada Half Marathon was everything at once: athletic, emotional, hilarious, and unforgettable. Runners collapsed, others did lagartijas, kids stole hearts, and yes, Pollito and Natali might have stolen the show—and maybe each other’s hearts.

0 575