120 and still going strong

Chris & Stu took part in this year’s ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship. With a combined age of 120 years, they are possibly the oldest team ever to complete the challenging course. We spoke to them about the race, their preparation, and the unforgettable experience.

1. Where are you from and how old are you both?

Chris: I was born and raised in Zimbabwe, now I’m a Canadian citizen – 62 years old.

Stu: I’m from coastal Massachusetts and 58.

2. What is your background in sports?

Chris: Distance running, triathlon, cycling, trail running, table tennis, squash, tennis, open water and ice swimming. I’ve done eight ÖTILLÖ World Series races and one World Championship.

Stu: In the 90s I did more than 100 triathlons, plus adventure races and hikes on all the major peaks in New England. Lately I’ve been focusing more on long-distance open water swims in the ocean.

3. How did you get involved with Swimrun?

Chris: I always enjoyed wild swimming and trail running. In 2022 I heard people talking about ÖTILLÖ Swimrun in Sweden and how incredibly difficult it must be. That’s when I realized I could take my wild swimming to another level by keeping my shoes on and reaching even more swim spots, which of course also involved trail running. After completing my first Ironman at age 60 in 2022, I focused on Swimrun – and that’s when the addiction began.

Stu: I’ve been doing endurance races since the early 90s. A friend asked me to join the Boston Harbor Swimrun, and I really enjoyed the mix of running and open water swimming.

4. When did you do your first Swimrun race?

Chris: In August 2023 at Casco Bay.

Stu: In June 2019 at Boston Harbor. I had signed up already in 2018, but that one was cancelled.

5. What made you want to do such an extremely long race?

Chris: I’ve always been drawn to physical challenges, especially the endurance aspect. The World Championship, being twice as long as the World Series races and the crown jewel of the sport, was a natural goal.

Stu: I’ve always liked long events – I’ve done three Ironman races, three Original Sea to Summit races, and long hikes like the Pemi Loop and Presidential Traverse. When Chris suggested ÖTILLÖ Swimrun, I thought: if we race at his pace, I can enjoy the event as a bucket-list experience, rather than just racing in full focus.

6. How do you train?

Chris: Training has been frustrating for me, because mentally I want to do far more than my body can handle in my more mature years. It’s a delicate balance of not overdoing things. I’ve found that putting more emphasis on resistance training, plyometrics, stretching, and active rest – combined with a structured weekly build-up of distance and a proper taper – helps a lot. I’ve also discovered that doing more pure Swimrun workouts is more beneficial, since it’s tempting to just train the two disciplines separately.

Stu: I’ve increased some of my runs, but I tend to break down once I go over 120 miles per month. I started yoga a little over a year ago, but my running is still not where it once was. Fortunately, I live in a great location with trails and hills, and I have accountability partners for both running and open water swimming.

7. Do you have more races planned in Swimrun short term?

Chris: I’m looking at Austin 2025 to close out the season.

Stu: I’ll volunteer at Swimrun Cape Cod, and then I’m planning to run the Mount Desert Island Marathon but no Swimrun races for now.

8. What are your goals for the next years in Swimrun?

Chris: I want to keep going as long as my body allows and try out a few races I haven’t done yet.

Stu: I’ve done quite a few solo races and three with partners. I’d love to return to Casco with a partner and go for the podium. Catalina and the World Series events were also amazing – 2025 will be hard to top.

9. Describe your race experience at ÖTILLÖ?

Chris: An experience I will never forget! It truly feels like returning to the birthplace of this special sport. The organization was second to none, and as an athlete I felt like part of a family, no matter the level. The course was incredibly challenging but also full of beauty that kept me going. Above all, it was the people in Sweden and the Swimrun community that made it so special for me.

Stu: The whole event was fantastic, and Chris and I had a really great time. I went into the race struggling with a leg injury and very low energy. Still, the course was very enjoyable, although I would have preferred a rougher swim, since I had trained for more challenging open water conditions than the flat day the archipelago gave us. Luckily, we managed to stay well ahead of the time cuts and finish this monumental event.

10. Will you come back for another ÖTILLÖ next year?

Chris: If my body holds up and the stars align, yes – but I’m not sure yet which one.
Stu: I’m planning to do Casco Bay again with a fourth partner. It’s basically my home race and the closest version of the World Championship in the US.

Huge thanks to Chris & Stu for the interview!

It was fantastic having you at the ÖTILLÖ World Championship 2025.

Your passion and endurance truly inspires us.
We can’t wait to see what Swimrun adventures come next!