ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Isles of Scilly

The Swimrun World Series Returns to the Isles of Scilly this weekend

Press Release / 01.06.2022

On June 4th & 5th Ötillö Swimrun Is Back After Three Years Of Absence

As the world is opening up so is the world of sport. After three years of absence ÖTILLÖ will be back on the stunning Isles of Scilly to put on their 5th edition of ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Isles of Scilly.  Around 500 racers representing close to 20 nations will be participating in the most prestigious race weekend in the UK.

Over the years Swimrun has evolved from an extreme form of endurance racing to now have distances that suits everybody.

On Sunday, June 5th the second stage of the 2022 World Series will start on the island of St Mary's and then circumnavigate the islands of Bryher, Tresco and St Martin's before coming back to the finish on St Mary's. This World Series event is considered to be one of the most beautiful events, but also one of the hardest. Some of the best racers in the world will attend with World Champions and former World Champions on the start line.

The current World Champion Desirée Andersson (SWE) will be racing with former World Champion Fanny Kuhn (SWE) in the Womens category. 

In the Mixed category former Pro- Triathlete Richard Stannard (UK) is racing together with Sarah Richardson (UK) who won The Aquathlon World Championship in 2019. They will be extremely fast.

In the Men's category the team that is winning everything they start in at the moment Max Andersson (SWE) & Hugo Tormento (FRA) will most likely be in the very front as well.

On Saturday 4th of June ÖTILLÖ Swimrun will host two shorter races on and around St Mary's. These races make the sport possible for anyone who likes to swim and to run, making it a fantastic way to explore the island.

All races are open for teams of two or for solo racers.

THE WORLD SERIES RACE

Close to 200 racers representing nearly 20 nations will take the start for the Sunday World Series race (June 5th).

Some of the best teams in the world will chase the coveted nine qualification spots to the holy grail of Swimrun, ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship. A majority of the teams will be racing to experience the magic of the race course.

These nearly 200 racers will be challenged by this stunning course where they will run along beautiful trails and do some major ocean swims. The total distance is 37,1 km of which 8,4 km is swimming (8 sections) and 28,7 km is trail-running (9 sections).

Two of the swim sections are longer than 2 000 metres in the open Atlantic Ocean. Depending on the conditions, these stretches could be very rough. The water is around 14 degrees C and the swims will be a difficult challenge even for the fittest. The fastest teams are expected to complete the course in around five hours.

This race distance can be done as a team or as a solo racer.

THE SATURDAY RACES

On June 4th ÖTILLÖ will host two shorter distances, making the sport available to anyone.

The Sprint distance is 15,4 km. It also has 8 sections of swimming and 9 sections of running. However the total distance of swimming is 2,5 km and the trail-running is 12,9 km. This course circumnavigates the island of St Mary's. The name alludes to the distance and not to the speed.

The Experience distance is 7,6 km. It has 3 sections of swimming and 4 sections of running. The total distance of swimming is 900 metres and the trail-running is 6,8 km. This course does a beautiful loop around the Garrison and the west-end of St Mary's.

Both of these race distances are open to teams of two and for solo racers. They are also possible to do with a round-trip sailing from Penzance over the day. Making them very accessible.