Star-Studded Season Opener

With currently 240 athletes from 14 nations already registered and an Elite field of the highest calibre, ÖTILLÖ Rügen opens the European Swimrun season on 16 May 2026.

Among the 28 Elite athletes are eight current or former World Champions who are holding a combined total of 17 world titles – a start list without equal. Headline names include reigning World Champions Anna Hellström and Hanna Skårbratt from Sweden and the French pair Arnaud De Lustrac and Jérome Gueguen. Former World Champions on the start list are fellow Swedes Desirée Andersson (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), Kristin Larsson (2016, 2017, 2018, 2021) and Ulrika Eriksson (2014, 2022) and Alexander Berggren (2022).

The race covers 46.1 km – 5.4 km swimming and 40.7 km running – through the unique landscape of the island of Rügen, marking the opening of a global series spanning eleven races across two continents.

ELITE ATHLETES on the START LIST As of 22 April 2026

WOMEN

Anna Hellström (SWE) · Desirée Andersson (SWE) · Hanna Skårbratt (SWE) · Ulrika Eriksson (SWE) · Kristin Larsson (SWE) · Åsa Stening (SWE) · Josefine Jangvert (SWE) · Klara Willcocks Kjellgren (SWE) · Terese Østeraas (NOR) · Niamh Murphy (IRL) · Hanna Jokinen (FIN) · Meri Viljanen (FIN) · Mélisande Muller (FRA) · Johanne Laizeau (FRA) · Lydie Waucquier (FRA) · Stine Møllebro (DEN)

MEN

Alexander Berggren (SWE) · Johan Holgersson (SWE) · Arnaud De Lustrac (FRA) · Pierre de Lustrac (FRA) · Emeryc Gennesson (FRA) · Thomas Guerry (FRA) · Remi Menut (FRA) · Tom Ralite (FRA) · Florian Schäfer (FRA) · Ernest Markesteijn (NED) · Joost van Leusden (NED) · Jonathan Thiesmeyer (GER)

In Swimrun, athletes traditionally race in teams of two in the categories men, women and mixed. Below you find how the Elite has teamed up at ÖTILLÖ Rügen:

ELITE TEAMS

WOMEN

Anna Hellström (SWE) & Desirée Andersson (SWE) · Team Anna & Dessi

Hanna Skårbratt (SWE) & Ulrika Eriksson (SWE) · Ullis och Hanna

Klara Willcocks Kjellgren (SWE) & Terese Østeraas (NOR) · Team CROWN

Hanna Jokinen (FIN) & Meri Viljanen (FIN) · Nereids

Stine Møllebro (DEN) & Marina Andersson* (SWE) · Team SweDen

Johanne Laizeau (FRA) & Pauline Storchan* (FRA) · PAU’WER & JO’WAVE

MEN

Emeryc Gennesson (FRA) & Thomas Guerry (FRA) · G-run & G-swim Team

Vincent Fabre* (FRA) & Remi Menut (FRA) · Cormack 4

Arnaud De Lustrac (FRA) & Jérome Gueguen* (FRA) · Kebab League

Ernest Markesteijn (NED) & Joost van Leusden (NED) · Swimrun Dordrecht

Jonathan Thiesmeyer (GER) & Jacob Langeloh* (GER) · Jumping Jacks

MIX

Alexander Berggren (SWE) & Kristin Larsson (SWE) · ARK Sports

Mélisande Muller (FRA) & Pierre de Lustrac (FRA) · Kebab League

Elfie Arnaud* (FRA) & Tom Ralite (FRA) · Team Belove

Lydie Waucquier (FRA) & Florian Schäfer (FRA) · Team SCHÄFER Coaching

Josefine Jangvert (SWE) & Johan Holgersson (SWE) · Team JJ

* Not a member of the Elite Programme

ELITE SOLO

WOMEN

Niamh Murphy (IRL)

Åsa Stening (SWE)