September 22nd, 2025
ÖTILLÖ SWIMRUN Rügen 2025
Rügen embraces its first ever ÖTILLÖ event, the only one in Germany
Press Release
| Successful ÖTILLÖ debut on the Island of Rügen |
| With the first ever ÖTILLÖ Rügen, ÖTILLÖ has made a successful return to Germany. 250 racers from 21 countries participated in three race distances Experience, Sprint and World Series. Kai Gardeja, Tourism Director Binzer Bucht, summarized the event perfectly: “What a fantastic race: a unique course with Bodden and Baltic Sea always on the horizon, passing through forests, historic landscapes, and special places. Emotional athletes at the finish, enthusiastic spectators, and an unforgettable atmosphere at the award ceremony – the very first ÖTILLÖ on Rügen will forever stay in our hearts.” The World Series course was long and demanding, taking athletes around the Eastern part of the island, starting in Klein Zicker and moving through the towns of Thiessow, Gager, Mönchgut, Alt Reddevitz, Seedorf, Moritzdorf, Baabe, Sellin and across the Granitz forest to the finish line in Binz. The weather conditions could not have been better: it was sunny to partly cloudy with air and water temperatures of around 20 degrees. The World Series course had a total distance of 43.6km, comprising of 36.2km of running and 7.4km of open water swimming. Scenic runs alternated with long and challenging swims. In the men’s category, reigning World Champion Johan Skårbratt (SWE) and his team partner, three-time World Champion Martin Flinta (SWE), separated themselves from the field early in the race and continuously expanded their lead all the way to the finish line. They finished ahead of two Dutch teams: Koen Schrama and Skander Taieb who came second, and Joos van Leusden and Ernest Markesteijn who came third. Statement Johan Skårbratt: “After standing on top of the podium at the ÖTILLÖ World Championship for the first time less than two weeks ago, it was an honor to compete with Martin Flinta, a three-time World Champion in Swimrun, who first won in 2007. We had a fantastic day in Rügen, with long and challenging swims and then running in the magical landscape of sand dunes and rolling fields. At the same time, we were greeted with cheers and applause from the locals throughout the race, which was topped off with a huge turnout in the finish area.” In the mixed category, Jenny Jendryschik and Christian Nitschke from Germany showed a very impressive performance, finishing less than ten minutes behind the winning men’s team. Statement Jenny Jendryschik: “Beautiful landscape and what an adventure! This was our first swimrun, fixing the pull buoy just the night before. And we both underestimated the course and the many meters of elevation, but we very much enjoyed it!” Only two teams competed in the women’s category, Sabine Kost and Jessica Tamms from Germany and Emma Bayer and Susanne Najafi from Sweden. Sabine Kost and Jessica Tamms had an early lead in the race which they extended to 17 minutes at the maximum. In the running sections towards the end of the race, Emma Bayer and Susanne Najafi managed to get closer and closer to the German team, eventually finishing just under 6 minutes behind. In the men’s solo category, Yoann Pérignon from France set the pace right from the start, winning overall in a very impressive time of 4:24:04. Behind him, Ghislaine Vachette (FRA) and Michael Raelert (GER) had a tight battle for most of the race and it was only in the last 10km that Ghislaine Vachette could extend his lead and win the race. In the women’s solo category, Niamh Murphy from Ireland was in the lead early and extended this lead all the way to the finish line for a comfortable win. Behind her, Christiane Radatz from Germany and Åsa Stening from Sweden were racing head to head until the middle of the race distance before Christiane Radatz could build a lead to take second place ahead of Åsa Stening. The next race will be ÖTILLÖ Cannes on October 4th. Race Results ÖTILLÖ Rügen World Series results: MEN 1. Team GBG swimrun champions – Johan Skårbratt SWE & Martin Flinta SWE 5:01:33 2. Team Voorschotense Boys – Koen Schrama NED Skander Taieb NED 5:51:31 3. Team Spasmus Amfibius – Joost van Leusden NED & Ernest Markesteijn NED 6:17:41 MIXED 1. Team Nitschke Coaching – Jenny Jendryschik GER & Christian NItschke GER 5:10:30 2. Team Surf & Turf – Martin Schütt GER & Sophie Fischer GER 5:36:17 3. Team Freeze & Squeeze – Justyna Wolinska POL & Michael Gerlach GER 6:05:35 WOMEN 1. Team Envol Berlin – Sabine Kost GER & Jessica Tamms GER 6:30:20 2. Team Pantertanter – Emma Bayer SWE & Susanne Najafi SWE 6:36:11 SOLO MEN 1. Yoann Pérignon FRA – 4:24:04 2. Ghislain Vachette FRA – 4:49:45 3. Michael Raelert GER – 4:56:51 SOLO WOMEN 1. Niamh Murphy IRL – 5:45:11 2. Christiane Radatz GER – 6:30:38 3. Åsa Stening SWE – 6:57:42 Another 180 athletes raced in the shorter distance ÖTILLÖ Sprint, ÖTILLÖ Experience. Find the official race results here. Photos for free media use Find official press photos here (please credit photographer/ ÖTILLÖ) Flickr Album: On course images: ÖTILLÖ Rügen 2025 Finish line images: ÖTILLÖ Rügen 2025 About ÖTILLÖ and Swimrun Swimrun is an endurance sports where you alternate trail-running and open-water swimming on a marked course. ÖTILLÖ is the leading brand and the origin of the sport. ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship (ÖTILLÖ meaning island to island in Swedish) is the original swimrun race, renowned as one of the toughest one-day races in the world. https://otilloswimrun.com About ÖTILLÖ and Swimrun ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Series ÖTILLÖ World Series Rügen is part of the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Series and a qualifier to ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship, held on September 1st in the Swedish archipelago. In 2025, there are thirteen qualifying races to the World Championship: – ÖTILLÖ World Series Catalina, USA, 27 April – ÖTILLÖ World Series Utö, Sweden, 7 June – ÖTILLÖ World Series Engadin, Switzerland, 5 July – ÖTILLÖ World Series Whistler, Canada, 6 July – ÖTILLÖ World Series Gothenburg, Sweden, 26 July – ÖTILLÖ World Series Åland, 9-10 August – ÖTILLÖ World Series Casco Bay, USA, 10 August -ÖTILLÖ World Series Mackinac Island, USA, 24 August -ÖTILLÖ World Series Rügen, Germany, 13 September – ÖTILLÖ World Series Orcas Island, USA, 14 September – ÖTILLÖ World Series Cannes, France, 4 October -ÖTILLÖ World Series Colorado, USA, 5 October – ÖTILLÖ World Series Austin, USA, 9 November At each World Series event an EXPERIENCE & SPRINT race is also organized. ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship 19th edition on September 1st, 2025 150 teams from all over the world 70 km over and between 24 islands in the Stockholm Archipelago. Renowned as one of the toughest one-day races in the world Social Media You will find updates in our social media channels over the weekend. Please use #otilloruegen, #otillo and tag @otillorace when making posts. |