Welcome to ÖTILLÖ Sprint Malta
The perfect location for the end of the European ÖTILLÖ Swimrun season
This Swimrun Sprint course is a swimrunners dream. It has everything. Views, ups, downs and great swims. It is one of our harder Sprint courses.
Race description
The Sprint course in Malta is a swimrunners dream. Lots of up and down, tricky trails, amazing swims and quite a challenge. All contained within a small area.
An ÖTILLÖ Sprint race is the perfect swimrun race for those of you who feel that the World Series is too much or for those who want to go fast. Traditionally we have everything from very strong racers to absolute beginner Swimrunners doing the Sprint distances. Race in pairs or solo.
Welcome to the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun sprint in Malta!
Short facts
Date:
Country: Malta
Total race distance: 13 200 m
Trail-running: 11 600 m
Run sections: 5
Swimming: 1 600 m
Swim sections: 5
Longest swim: 650 m
Longest run: 6 200 m
Total elevation: 135 m
Registration
Early bird fee
– Team € 130 / Solo € 70
From Aug 30, 2022
Normal fee
– Team € 150 / Solo € 80
From Sep 19, 2022
Last minute fee
– Team € 190 / Solo € 100
From Nov 4, 2022
About ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Malta
Malta is a melting pot of many cultures. From the Saracen to the Knights templar, with amazing cultural buildings and heritage. Malta is in the Southern Mediterranean with flight connections all over Europe. In the shoulder months the water is warm and the air temperature is perfect for Swimrun. The island is dry, with a coast line full of coves and inlets. The trail- running is fast and the swims are spectacular with extremely clear water.
The area around the finish line is a small swimrun heaven with lots of trails and great swims. If we have some rare rain the mud sections will be a special treat.
This is a perfect trip to the Mediterranean, to visit historical sights and to enjoy some sun and warm water.
Schedule for the weekend
Friday, November 4th, 2022
| 18:00-19:00 | Race bib distribution ÖTILLÖ World Series Team & Solo - Radisson Blu Resort & Spa |
| 18:00-19:00 | Merchandise sales open - Radisson Blu Resort & Spa |
Saturday, November 5th, 2022
| 08:45 | Bus departure from Radisson hotel to race area for World Series racers |
| 09:35 | Bus departure from Radisson hotel to race area for Sprint & Experience racers |
| 09:45 | Race briefing ÖTILLÖ World Series - by the start line |
| 10:00 | Start ÖTILLÖ World Series Team & Solo - Mellieha beach |
| 10:00-10:45 | Race bib distribution ÖTILLÖ Sprint & Experience Team & Solo - Mellieha beach |
| 10:00-11:00 | Merchandise sales open - Mellieha beach |
| 10:50 | Race briefing & mandatory equipment check ÖTILLÖ Sprint & Experience - by the finish line |
| 11:15 | Bus departure to start ÖTILLÖ Experience - Għadira Parking Area |
| 11:45 | Start ÖTILLÖ Sprint Team & Solo - across the road from Mellieha beach |
| 11:45 | Start ÖTILLÖ Experience Team & Solo - Ramla bay |
| 12:30 | World Series Cut-off at Time 3 - Xemxija |
| 12:40 | First Experience racers across the finish line |
| 12:50 | First World Series racers across the finish line |
| 13:10 | First Sprint racers across the finish line |
| 13:00-16:00 | Merchandise sales open - Mellieha beach |
| 14:00 | Prize giving ÖTILLÖ Sprint & Experience - by the finish line |
| 14:00 | World Series cut-off at Time 5 - Paradise bay |
| 15:50 | Last racers across the finish line |
| 16:00 | Prize giving ÖTILLÖ World Series - by the finish line |
| 14:00-19:00 | After-party at Munchies - Mellieha beach |
Race information
Here you will find everything you need to know as a racer at ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Malta. Please read this thoroughly as the information is important for your experience before and during the race. Good luck and have fun!
Malta race specific information
Malta is reached by air from all major European airports. If you are on Sicily you can take the ferry.
Race area
The race area is at the north end of Mellieha beach next to Munchies.
Busses to the race area from Golden Sands
Please see below bus schedule between Radisson Hotel in Golden bay and the race area in Mellieha bay.
- Radisson hotel to Mellieha bay:
08:45 – 09:15 World Series racers
09:35-10:00 Sprint & Experience racers - From Mellieha bay to Radisson hotel the buses will leave every 30 minutes from 13:30 to 17:00.
The bus will stop in front of the Reception at Radisson hotel and at the Għadira parking in Mellieha bay.
Parking
There is a free parking on the north side of Mellieha beach called Għadira Free Parking Area.
How to get to the start
- The World Series start will be at the finish line on Mellieha beach.
- The Sprint start will be on the other side of the main road from the finish line. After the race briefing all Sprint racers will go with Michael to the start.
- The Experience start will be at Ramla bay. After the race briefing all Experience racers will go with Mats to the start by bus.
Toilets & showers
There are a few public toilets at the parking area and two portaloos on the beach. There are showers next to the restaurant but you need 1-EUR coins to use it.
Bag drop
There will be a bag drop for a small bag by the finish line.
Mark your bag well. The bag drop is not guarded.
Food
All racers will receive a tuna or vegetarian Ftira from the beach restaurant after the race.
Drinks and food will be available for purchase in the restaurant on the beach.
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 from Maurten at all stations. Below you can find the other food and drinks that will be served at each station.
World Series
- Time 2, Mellieha town – Pain au chocolate, mixed salted nuts, apples, oranges
- Time 3, Xemxija – Sandwiches with peanut butter & jam, soft cake, nut creme, mixed salted nuts, bananas, Maurten Gel 100 CAF
- Time 5, Paradise bay – Fruit cake, soft cake, nut creme, mixed salted nuts, oranges, Maurten Gel 100
- Time 8, Ahrax tal-Mellieha – Fruit cake, salted almonds, apples, bananas, Maurten Gel 100 CAF
Sprint
- Time 2, Paradise bay – Fruit cake, soft cake, nut creme, mixed salted nuts, oranges, Maurten Gel 100
- Time 5, Ahrax tal-Mellieha – Fruit cake, salted almonds, apples, bananas, Maurten Gel 100 CAF
Experience
- Time 2, Ahrax tal-Mellieha – Fruit cake, salted almonds, apples, bananas, Maurten Gel 100 CAF
The race bib distribution for the World Series will be in the Radisson Hotel Golden sands. There will be signs from the main entrance which is located at the North side of the hotel.
The race bib distribution for the Sprint and Experience will be at the finish line at Mellieha beach.
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.
This is the 2022 online Race briefing. It is mandatory to watch for all racers.
At 09:45 there will be a race briefing for the World Series race at the start line.
At 10:50 there will be a race briefing for the Sprint and Experience race at the finish line.
At registration at each destination one of the Race Directors will be present to answer questions.
The ÖTILLÖ Sprint and Experience races has no cut-offs.
The ÖTILLÖ World Series has two (2) cut-offs. These are for your safety.
- Time 3 – Xemxija at 12:30
- Time 5 – Paradise bay at 14:00
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 World Series Malta LIVE on otilloswimrun.com/live, please spread the information to all your friends and family.
We will also use #otillomalta to tag our posts, please do so 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 shoulder months the water is warm and the air temperature is perfect for Swimrun.
Like everywhere we can have wind, rain and un-seasonably cold weather, make sure you bring clothes to handle this.
The water in the Southern Mediterranean is salty, this has an advantage as you will have more flotation, and it also has a disadvantage and that is the possibility for chafing during the race. Make sure you prepare areas that rub so you enjoy both the beginning and the end of the race.
We welcome all spectators, friends and families to participate in our events.
We strongly suggest that you take the time to enjoy Malta. Bring your friends and family to enjoy a long weekend or the week with you. The hotel deal is of course for them as well.
As all races start and finish in Golden Sands you can enjoy a beautiful day at the beach and see some racing. If you have a car you can follow the whole race along the course on Sunday
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
