Welcome to the ÖTILLÖ World Series Isles of Scilly
The ultimate Swimrun destination
You want to be challenged and also rewarded? This race, the destination and what you will experience will give you everything and more. The runs will fill your body with endorphins and the swims will make you smile for a long time.
Race description
This race course is tough and spectacular! You need to be strong in the water as we have almost 22% swimming in real open- water where waves, wind and tidal currents will test the metal in you and your team mate. On land you need to move fast, stay warm and be agile on your feet. You will swim to and from the inhabited islands of St Mary’s, Bryher, Tresco and St Martin’s. It is truly unique.
Short facts
Date:
Country: United Kingdom
Total race distance: 37 100 m
Trail-running: 28 700 m
Run sections: 9
Swimming: 8 400 m
Swim sections: 8
Longest swim: 2 500 m
Longest run: 7 000 m
Total elevation: 199 m
Registration
Early bird fee
– Team € 385 / Solo € 210
Normal fee
– Team € 420 / Solo € 230
Late entry fee
– Team € 480 / Solo € 260
On-site entry fee
– Team € 520 / Solo € 290
About ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Isles of Scilly
This is a place which we did not think existed. It looks like the lost world of Atlantis with clear, beautiful water, pristine beaches and ancient stone walls.
It is truly a unique place where it is difficult to not get emotionally affected. It is one of our most iconic locations and we call it “Paradise lost”.
The Isles of Scilly are off the south-west tip of England, in the Atlantic. It looks like the Caribbean but with old English gardens. It has been inhabited since the Stone Age and it is a mythical place. In total there are 140 islands of which only five are inhabited.
At times, when low tide is low, you can walk between islands. It is exceptionally beautiful with a pristine environment where the power of the Ocean is never far away! The trail- running is magical with some of the most beautiful runs we have ever done.
In the Isles of Scilly we work very closely with the Wildlife Trust, who are the stewards of the land and water.
Schedule for the weekend
(This is the 2022 schedule for reference)
Thursday, June 2nd 2022.
| 23:59 | (Local time) Last day to enter and make changes for the ÖTILLÖ World Series, Sprint and Experience races. Changes must be sent to info@otilloswimrun.com. |
Friday, June 3rd 2022.
| 10:30 | Vivobarefoot Junior Swimrun Scilly 2022, more info is found here. |
| 15:00 | #cleantheocean activity from Holgate´s Green. |
Saturday, June 4th, 2022.
| 09:00-10:00 | Race bib distribution ÖTILLÖ Sprint & Experience - Holgate’s Green |
| 09:15 | Ferry from Penzance arrives St Mary's harbour |
| 10:45 | Short Race briefing at the start line - Holgate’s Green |
| 11:00 | Start ÖTILLÖ Sprint and Experience Team & Solo - Hugh Town, Lower Strand |
| 11:50 | First Experience Team/Solo across the finish line |
| 12:15 | Cut-off for Sprint Team & Solo at Time 2 - Old Town Quay |
| 12:45 | First Sprint Team/Solo across the finish line |
| 14:35 | Last Sprint Team/Solo across the finish line |
| 15:30 | Prize giving ÖTILLÖ Sprint & Experience - Holgate’s Green |
| 17:00 | Ferry to Penzance leaves from St Mary's harbour |
| 17:00-18:00 | Race bib distribution ÖTILLÖ World Series Team & Solo - Holgate’s Green |
| 18:10 | Mandatory Race Briefing for the World Series racers - Holgate’s Green |
Sunday, June 5th 2022.
| 08:45 | Short Race briefing at the start line |
| 09:00 | Start ÖTILLÖ World Series Team & Solo - Hugh Town, Lower Strand |
| 10:20 | Cut-off at Time 2 - Bathinghouse Porth |
| 13:30 | First team across the finish line |
| 13:35 | Cut-off at Time 5 - Karma Hotel St. Martin |
| 14:00-18:00 | After-race chili |
| 14:45 | Cut-off at Time 6 - Higher Town |
| 17:10 | Last team across the finish line |
| 17:30 | Prize giving World Series Team & Solo - Holgate’s Green |
| 18:30 | After-party at The Slip - The Mermaid Pub Hugh town |
Race information
Here you will find everything you need to know as a racer at ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Isles of Scilly. Please read this thoroughly as the information is important for your experience before and during the race. Good luck and have fun!
Isles of Scilly specific information
Here you will find all registered participants and start lists for ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Isles of Scilly.
Race area
The race are will be by the start & finish on Holgate’s Green in Hugh Town on St Mary’s
Changing rooms, toilets and showers
We suggest that you get changed at your accommodation. You can also get changed in the Marquee on Holgate’s Green.
There are a few public toilets by the start & finish and by the Tourist office at Porthcressa beach.
Bag drop
You can put a small change bag in the marquee by the start & finish. Make sure you take your bag and not someone else’s when you collect it. NOTE: It is not guarded.
Food
In Hugh Town there are several cafés, pubs and restaurants. As it will be a busy weekend make sure to book a table. There is of course a couple of grocery shops as well. After the race on Sunday all racers will get something warm to eat next to the finish line.
The Isles of Scilly is off the coast of Cornwall in South West England. The ferry leaves from Penzance. We suggest that you fly to London, Exeter or Newquay, from these airports there are several travel options to get to Isles of Scilly.
As the weather is sometimes unpredictable on the Isles of Scilly, the ferry option is the most reliable way to get to the islands. Get 10% off the brochure passenger fare on Scillonian by quoting the code OTILLO22 at the time of your online booking.
If you choose flying we suggest you to calculate with at least one extra travel day.
See all info and book your travel at Isles of Scilly travel.
To receive you start pack you will have to display your photo-ID. If you race in a team both team members need to come to the bib distribution together. For a smoother process, please look up your start number before picking up your Start pack. If you plan to race with fins you need to bring these so that we can verify that they are in line with the rules.
We will have energy and liquid stations along the course as marked in the course maps and in the Times & Distance documents.
- We will serve fruits and snacks at the energy stations.
- We will serve water and Sports drink and if cold weather we will also provide warm liquid.
- We do not have paper cups at the energy stations, use your collapsible cup or soft flask to drink from.
- If you need gels, bring your own and carry in your wetsuit. Do not throw the wrappers on the ground, leave it in the garbage cans at the energy stations.
Energy Schedules
We will serve water and Sports drink at all stations. Below you can find the other food and drinks that will be served at each station.
World Series
- Time 3, Hell Bay Hotel – Bananas, oranges, cookies
- Time 5, Old Grimsby – Bananas, small sandwiches, boiled salted new potatoes
- Time 6, Karma Hotel – Oranges, small sandwiches, fruit cake, crisps, warm tea with sugar
- Time 7, Old quay, St Martins – Bananas, apples, energy gels, saffron buns
- Exit long swim, Innisidgen – Warm tea with sugar
- Time 8, Carnweathers – Bananas, candy, crisps
Sprint
- Time 2, Old Town quay – Bananas, saffron buns
- Time 3, Block house point – Oranges, dried fruit, crisps
- Finish line – Bananas, fruit cake, warm water
Experience
- Time 2, Old Town quay – Bananas, saffron buns
- Finish line – Bananas, fruit cake, warm water
We strongly suggest that you book your accommodation as soon as possible as there is limited space on the Isles. The same applies to travel from the mainland to the Isles.
You will not find much through the the various booking sites like booking.com or hotels.com
The campground on St Mary’s rents out readi-tents and cottages. It is in a beautiful spot.
On the islands of Bryher, Tresco and St Martins you can also find accommodation with transportation to the race HQ on St Marys. This takes no more than 15 – 20 minutes. We recommend Karma St Martins for example.
During the 2022 season we have a general online briefing for all races.
You can find the race briefing here.
For the World Series racers there will be a mandatory Race briefing on Saturday at 18:10 on Holgate’s Green.
15 minutes before each start there will be a short race specific update at the start line.
At registration at each destination one of the Race Directors will be present to answer questions.
The start for all three races is at Holgate’s Green.
- You have to be in the start box 15 minutes before start for a short race update.
- Toilets are available next to the start line
- You can leave a small bag on the indicated place at the start. We will not be able to supervise your belongings so do not leave any valuables.
The ÖTILLÖ Experience does not have any cut-offs.
The ÖTILLÖ Sprint has one (1) cut-off:
- TIME 2 at 12:15
The ÖTILLÖ World Series has three (3) cut-offs. These are for your safety:
- TIME 2 at 10:20
- TIME 6 at 13:35
- TIME 7 at 14:45
We have cut-offs in our events to make sure that we can have a safe race, these are put in place so that everyone has a possibility to finish before dark and without jeopardizing the safety of others by stretching the safety organization too much. Please respect this and the people enforcing them.
During each race we make a big media production for social media and traditional media. You will see photographers, reporters and film teams along the course. If you have any personal media contacts that would like to have material from us please email to media.requests@otilloswimrun.com.
We will cover the ÖTILLÖ Isles of Scilly LIVE on otilloswimrun.com/live, please spread the information to all your friends and family.
We will also use #otilloislesofscilly to tag our posts, please do so you too. Our images that we post from the race are free to use for you as racers but not allowed for commercial use to promote other products or events.
In the middle of June the weather can be quite nice with warm, calm days. However, we are in the middle of the Atlantic where the weather can be quite brutal. It can be anything between 10 – 25 degrees C. Wet or dry.
Water temperatures will be between 12 – 14 degrees C depending on where along the course. Make sure you dress accordingly and consider wearing something under your wetsuit if you tend to get cold on the long swims. Use a Neoprene cap if you are not used to cold water.
The water is salty, grease up well to avoid chafe. Like everywhere we can have wind, rain and un-seasonably cold. Make sure you bring clothes to handle this.
Check out this link for weather updates.
We strongly suggest you take the time to enjoy the Isles of Scilly and bring your friends and family to enjoy a long weekend or the week with you. The Sprint and Experience race is easily followed with a bike on St Mary’s. You can rent bikes in Hugh town.
For the Sunday race we suggest you to take a boat to the islands Tresco or St Martins to follow the race.
NOTE: you may not assist any teams unless if it is a medical emergency. Any other assistance will result in disqualification of the team.
ÖtillÖ general race information
Each athlete participating in an ÖTILLÖ Swimrun (World Series, Sprint & Experience race) must know, understand and follow all the competition rules. Please read the ÖTILLÖ Standard Swimrun rules.
3.2 MANDATORY EQUIPMENT PER TEAM
3.2.1 1 first aid pressure bandage, packed waterproof
3.2.2 2 wetsuits (legs and torso in one piece), 1 per person, suitable for the current water temperature. If the water temperature is above 19 degrees Celsius you can choose to not race in a wetsuit
3.2.3 2 whistles, 1 per person, easily accessible so you are able to use it during the swims
3.2.4 2 foldable cups/soft flasks or similar (not your swim cap) to drink from at the energy stations.
3.3 MANDATORY EQUIPMENT PER PERSON COMPETING IN SOLO
3.3.1 1 first aid pressure bandage, packed waterproof
3.3.2 1 wetsuit (legs and torso in one piece), suitable for the current water temperatures. If the water temperature is above 19 degrees Celsius you can choose to not race in a wetsuit
3.3.3 1 whistle, easily accessible so you are able to use it during the swims
3.3.4 1 foldable cup/soft flask or similar (not your swim cap) to drink from at the energy stations.
3.4 MANDATORY EQUIPMENT PER PERSON THAT THE ORGANIZATION WILL SUPPLY
3.4.1 A race bib that must be worn visible all the time during the race
3.4.2 A timing chip (lost or not returned timing chip will be charged 100 Euros or equivalent)
3.4.3 A swim cap that must be worn on the head during all the swims
3.4.4 At some of the races, a GPS tracker must be carried by the racers of the World Series category (Solo: 1 per person, Team: 1 per team)
Timing chip
We use a timing chip that you attach around your ankle with a velcro strap, you will receive the velcro strap in your registration bag. When you pass the timing checkpoints along the course your time will be registered. We will have up to 10 checkpoints along the course and will be reporting your times live on the website.
- You need to enter the start box from behind to activate your chip. Non activated chip will result in disqualification.
- After the race you need to return the timing chip at the finish line. Non-returned chip will be charged 100 €.
Race bib
- The race bibs cannot be modified in any way.
- Your race bib must be worn visible at all times.
- After the race you need to return your race bib at the finish line.
- Take care of each other; it is a long and tough course.
- We have safety boats and are trying to do our best to cover the course.
- All racers have to help another racer in an emergency.
- We have several medic teams on the course.
- Communicate with race officials when help needed.
- If you abandon the race you must communicate with race officials as soon as possible and return the timing chip at the finish area.
- We suggest that you do not use a tow rope when running in difficult terrain.
To minimize waste we will no longer supply cups at the energy stations. You need to bring your own collapsible cup or soft flask that we will fill. One cup or soft flask per person is included in the mandatory equipment.
We will have cups and soft flasks to sell at the events if you do not have one with you.
If the race organization believe there is a danger for the racers or the organization based on weather or other conditions, the course can be changed the day before or even in the middle of the race. Safety is our priority.
At all the ÖTILLÖ World Series events from the latest World Championship to the next there are nine (9) direct qualification spots available, 63 in total. These direct qualification spots are only given to teams where no racer in the team already has a spot.
If a spot is declined it rolls down to the next team. You do not have to be at the award ceremony and you do not have to pay on-site to get your spot. The direct qualification spots are distributed to 4 men, 3 mixed and 2 women teams at each event. This is based on the historical amount of teams per category to make the probability rate as equal as possible.
Read more about qualifying to ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship here.
All teams that finish an ÖTILLÖ World Series race or a race with ÖTILLÖ merit status will receive ranking points, see all merit races here. Check out the races, finish it and get points. If you are not registered, read more about the Swimrun ranking and register here.
To be able to participate in ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship through ranking selection, you need to have ranking points. Read more about how to gain your spot for ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship here.
As you might know we have some ÖTILLÖ branded goods. These can be found on our website
Our partners will be in the event area at the finish line with products on-site.
As a swimrunner you are responsible for your team mate and for others around you. It is your obligation to know how to rescue someone out of the water, how to do CPR and how to use your Mandatory pressure bandage if someone has a bad cut. Here are some good films for you to watch.
Swimming induced pulmonary oedema (SIPE) is a condition which has gained attention in recent years. In short, due to somewhat unclear mechanism, fluid collects in the lungs, compromising the transfer of oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream. This results in the following symptoms;
- Shortness of breath
- Decreased oxygen saturation (which has to be measured with medical instruments)
- Cough, sometimes with blood
There is ongoing research in the subject, and as the knowledge increases, we will hopefully learn how to better prevent, diagnose and treat the condition.
The current research suggests that the condition terminates in less than 48h. Often it’s enough to stop the activity, remove/open up the wetsuit and get warm. In some cases, oxygen therapy is needed. It’s not fully understood why the condition arises.
There are yet no studies evaluating the long-term effects of SIPE. There is evidence that susceptible individuals may have recurrent episodes of SIPE. There are some medications that may help to prevent recurrent episodes.
If you experience the above symptoms, we recommend stopping the activity and contacting race marshals. If you encounter symptoms during a training session, we recommend seeking medical attention since there are other medical conditions which can manifest in the same way.
Train smart, race hard and take care of yourself and your partner!
Neither the participant nor the race organizer shall be held responsible for a force majeure event. Force majeure means any event which is unforeseen and beyond the reasonable control of either party including but not limited to the following: Act of God, adverse weather, inevitable accident, failure or shortage of power supplies, fire, flood, epidemic, earthquake, explosion, lightning, war or armed conflict, embargo, government or regulatory action or decree, riot or civil disturbance, strike, lock-outs, or other industrial action, terrorist action, failure or delay of common carrier or impairment or lack of adequate transportation facilities.
If by reason of any force majeure event the race organizer is delayed in, or prevented from, performing any of the obligations with regards to staging the race, no loss or damage shall be claimed by the participant by reason thereof.
Images & Video
