Welcome to ÖTILLÖ Sprint Utö
The birthplace of Swimrun
June 8th, 2024
The new race course from last year proofed to be good and therefore will be used again in 2023.
This race course is constant motion between land and water. It follows the footsteps of the origin of our sport. It is the start of the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun season and a perfect reason to get started early.
Race description
The new race course from last year proofed to be good. We will use the same race course in 2023. The ÖTILLÖ Swimrun sprint course on Utö is like a boiled down version of the World Series course with lots of short sections and many transitions between trail running and swimming. This course is seriously fun.
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 on Utö!
Short facts
Date: 2023-06-17
Country: Sweden
Total race distance: 16 600 m
Trail-running: 13 800 m
Run sections: 11
Swimming: 2 800 m
Swim sections: 10
Longest swim: 400 m
Longest run: 4 000 m
Total elevation: 36 m
Registration will open in November!
About ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Utö
Utö is where the whole swimrun movement started and where the late night bet which became ÖTILLÖ was made.
It is an island in the southern part of the Stockholm archipelago almost 90 minutes from Stockholm. Utö has a small year-round population and a great hotel, Utö Värdshus – our home away from home.
Utö used to be a mining community in the turn of the last century where Iron ore and Lithium was mined. You can still see the remnants of this old community in the buildings around Utö Värdshus.
The nature is very typical the Stockholm Archipelago. Beautiful pine tree forests, the landscape formed by the Ice age with soft granite towards the North and broken off faces to the South and with a coast line with lots of inlets and small islands. The land is constant up and down, technical trails and incredible views. The island of Utö is connected with the island of Ålö to the South where you feel alone. If you get a chance to run on the East coast of the island going North from Utö Värdshus you are up for one of our favorite runs in the world.
In the beginning of the summer you can feel summer coming on; flowers are blooming, the grass is green and the trees are coming to life after a long winter.
Schedule for the weekend
Saturday, June 17th, 2023
| 08:20 | Ferry to Utö leaves from Årsta brygga |
| 08:45-09:50 | Registration ÖTILLÖ World Series Team & Solo - Utö Harbour |
| 09:20 | Ferry to Utö leaves from Årsta brygga |
| 10:00-11:00 | Registration ÖTILLÖ Sprint and Experience Team & Solo - Utö Harbour |
| 11:00 | Start ÖTILLÖ World Series Team & Solo |
| 12:15 | Start ÖTILLÖ Sprint and Experience Team & Solo |
| 13:15 | First Experience racers to finish |
| 13:45 | Sprint cut-off at Time 2 - Utö Harbour |
| 14:05 | First Sprint racers to finish |
| 14:20 | World Series cut-off at Time 3 - Utö Harbour |
| 14:30 | First World Series racers to finish |
| 15:00 | Prize giving ÖTILLÖ Sprint Team & Solo |
| 15:50 | World Series cut-off at Time 5 - Utö North |
| 16:15 | Prize giving ÖTILLÖ World Series Team & Solo |
| 17:25 | Last racers across the finish line |
Race information
Here you will find everything you need to know as a racer at ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Utö. Please read this thoroughly as the information is important for your experience before and during the race. Good luck and have fun!
Utö race specific information
Race area
As you get off the ferry at Utö Gruvbryggan you will see the finish area to the left by the big white tent.
In between the harbor and the finish area you will find small red booths where the registration is, you will find signs showing you the right place for your race category.
Merchandise sales
In the race area we will have an ÖTILLÖ-merchandise tent where we will sell hoodies and T-shirts. We will also sell ÖTILLÖ branded caps, neck gaiters, soft flasks, foldable cups, whistles and first aid kits.
Changing rooms, toilets and showers
In the harbor there are big changing rooms with toilets and showers.
Behind the big, white tent you will find portaloos.
Bag drop
You can put your bag in the big bike rental shed to the South of the Start. The bag drop will not be guarded.
Food
All racers will receive a tasty soup after finishing the race.
At Utö there are also several restaurants, in the harbour area and at Utö Värdshus.
The island of Utö is in the Stockholm Archipelago South East of Stockholm. We suggest that you fly to Stockholm Arlanda Airport and from there you can take the Arlanda Express train to Stockholm City Central Station. From the Stockholm Central Station you can take a subway, bus and ferry to Utö.
Use this travel planner and put Stockholm C as your departing station and Utö Gruvbryggan as your arrival station.
If you arrive by car there is a big parking lot at Årsta Brygga where the ferry to Utö, Gruvbryggan leaves from.
Please see the ferry schedule between Årsta Brygga and Gruvbryggan on race day: Ferries
Please see below time table with the additional ferries for ÖTILLÖ Utö.
Årsta Brygga to Gruvbryggan
08:20 – 09:00 additional ferry
09:20 – 10:00
10:20 – 11:15
11:20 – 12:00
Gruvbryggan to Årsta Brygga
15:35 – 16:30
16:50 – 17:30
18:30 – 19:10 additional ferry
19:50 – 20:30
All ferries are the same price and you can pay on board.
Plan to be at Årsta brygga on time as there will be a lot of people wanting to travel out to the Archipelago on a sunny day.
Book your accommodation with Utö Värdshus, they have all types of living solutions for you. The beds will run out so we recommend you to make your booking as soon as possible.
There is also a camping area less than 1 km from the start.
The race bib distribution for all distances is in the white tent next to the start/ finish area.
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…
- products (sport drinks and gels) of our official partner Maurten
- fruits and snacks at the energy stations.
- water 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 bring your own gels, than please carry it in your wetsuit. Do not throw the wrappers on the ground, leave it in the garbage cans at the energy stations.
More details will be announced 4 weeks prior to the event.
For the 2023 season we are going back to have on-site race briefings for all races. Nonetheless, we will continue to provide a general online race briefing.
You can find the race briefing here.
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 races is at Utö Harbour.
- 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 your bag on the indicated place at the start. We will not be able to supervise your belongings so if you have any valuables, please bring a lock to your bag.
The ÖTILLÖ Experience does not have any cut-offs.
The ÖTILLÖ Sprint has one (1) cut-off:
- Time 2 at Utö Harbour at 13:45
The ÖTILLÖ World Series has two (2) cut-offs:
- TIME 3 at Utö Harbour at 14:20
- TIME 5 at Utö North at 15:50
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 Utö LIVE on otilloswimrun.com/live, please spread the information to all your friends and family. We will also use #otillouto 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 mid of June summer has arrived on Utö; flowers are blooming, the grass is green and the trees are coming to life after a long winter. As the race courses are super intense we do not expect you to be cold.
Like everywhere we can have wind, rain and un-seasonably cold. Make sure you bring clothes to handle this. The water in the Baltic has very low salinity, some teams will even race without swim goggles.
The races at Utö are great to follow as a spectator, at Utö Gruvbryggan you can see the start and finish of the races. All three race courses also pass through there.
If you would like to see more of Utö, the races are easy to follow by bike. You can rent a bike at Utö Harbour.
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 €.
GPS Tracker
We use a GPS tracker that must be worn at the back side underneath the wetsuit to make sure the signal is not blocked.
- The GPS trackers will handed out together with the race bib.
- After the race you need to return the GPS tracker at the finish line. Non-returned GPS tracker 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. 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.
The top 30 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.
At all our events we are offering a wide range of merchandising products e. g. Caps, T-Shirts, Hoodies, Jumper etc. As you might knowour partners are also offering Swimrun specific items and ÖTILLÖ branded goods. These can be found on our website
Our partners will be at most of our events 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
