10 questions for…

1. How did Rügen become part of the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Series?

Because it simply had to happen! Rügen’s nature – our wild coasts, the silence of the forests, the light over the Baltic Sea – it all calls for a format like ÖTILLÖ. We wanted to create something that puts Rügen on the international map, not just as a holiday island, but as a stage for peak athletic performance in a breathtaking setting.

2. How would you describe Rügen to someone who doesn’t know the island?

Rügen is full of contrast. You’ll find white sandy beaches next to rugged chalk cliffs, elegant seaside resorts next to untouched landscapes. It’s a place that lets you breathe deeply and makes your pulse quicken at the same time.

3. How does ÖTILLÖ fit with the summer atmosphere and Rügen’s character as a travel destination?

Perfectly! Summer on Rügen is all about movement, nature, and freedom. ÖTILLÖ brings just that. It’s a sporting adventure that flows with the landscape through the Baltic Sea, across cliffs, through beech forests and along wide beaches.

4. How did you first come into contact with Swimrun – and what does the sport mean to you personally?

I first watched ÖTILLÖ as a spectator and was immediately fascinated. The team spirit, the deep connection to nature, the endurance it takes. Swimrun is more than a sport. It’s a mindset. What draws me in most is the closeness to the elements. It feels like you’re in direct conversation with the landscape.

5. How would you describe the Swimrun community in Germany?

Authentic, open, and passionate. Swimrun isn’t only about competing against each other, it’s about doing something together. The community is built on shared experience and mutual respect, both for nature and for one another. And it’s growing steadily, especially with new events like ours on Rügen.

6. What can athletes and visitors expect from Rügen in terms of landscape and experience?

It’s like a natural open-air cinema. Chalk cliffs, national parks, Baltic waves, grand seaside resorts, and peaceful lagoon scenery all come together here. Athletes will be pushed physically but also moved emotionally. Spectators will witness a true sporting experience in a dreamlike environment.

7. In your opinion, what will be the greatest challenge on the course for participants?

The constant transitions. Rügen keeps you alert. You’re moving through winding trails, hilly terrain, choppy waves, and then suddenly soft sand or forest ground. It’s physically demanding, but it also requires real mental focus. If you can handle Rügen, you’ve got more than fitness – you’ve got grit.

8. What cultural or culinary highlights should one definitely experience when visiting Rügen?

Start with sea buckthorn and the salty breeze on your face. Then visit the historic seaside resorts, the theater in Putbus, the Kurhaus in Binz, or explore the Zicker Hills and Prora. You should also stop by some of the small studios and galleries. Rügen is home to many creatives and artists.

9. What feeling should people take with them after the event?

Goosebumps. From the effort, from the wind, and from the beauty of it all. Rügen should leave a lasting impression in your heart, in your mind, and probably also in your legs.

10. If someone is visiting Rügen for the first time – what’s your absolute insider tip?

Visit the treetop path in Prora early in the morning. The mist floats over the Baltic Sea and the lagoons, and everything feels completely still and vast. That’s Rügen at its most magical. Once you experience that, you’ll want to come back. I promise.