Welcome to World Series Orcas Islands

Escape to Tranquility.

September 15th, 2024

There’s nothing quite like racing in Washington State’s Pacific Northwest (PNW). Crisp inland lake swims, hauntingly beautiful forest trail runs, big mountain climbs, and stunning scenery around every turn makes this an instant fall classic.

 

Race description

There’s nothing quite like racing in Washington State’s Pacific Northwest (PNW). Crisp inland lake swims, hauntingly beautiful forest trail runs, big mountain climbs, and stunning scenery around every turn makes this an instant fall classic.

Short facts

Date: 2024-09-15
Country: USA
Total race distance: 40 470m/ 25.15mi
Trail-running: 35 000/ 21.75mi
Run sections:
Swimming: 5 470m/ 3.40mi
Swim sections:
Longest swim: 800m/ 0.50mi
Longest run: 8 000m/ 5.00mi
Total elevation: 1 860m/ 6,100'

Orcas Islands Sprint

Online registration for this race does not start until December 31, 2023 at 12:00am EST.
Race map
About ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Orcas Islands

There’s nothing quite like racing in Washington State’s Pacific Northwest (PNW). Crisp inland lake swims, hauntingly beautiful forest trail runs, big mountain climbs, and stunning scenery around every turn makes this an instant fall classic.

Race information

Here you will find everything you need to know as a racer at ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Orcas Islands. Please read this thoroughly as the information is important for your experience before and during the race. Good luck and have fun!

Race information Orcas Islands

ÖTILLÖ general race information
Race rules

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.

Mandatory equipment
We have mandatory equipment in our events for your safety, this applies to all race distances.
You can buy whistles, first-aid kits, foldable cups and soft flasks in the ÖTILLÖ Merchandise tent.
Please see the list of mandatory equipment below, this can also be found in the ÖTILLÖ Standard Swimrun rules.
3.1.1 All athletes need to bring all their equipment from start to finish.
3.1.2 Before start we will randomly select teams and solo racers for a check of the mandatory equipment. If the athletes are missing any of the equipment required, they will not be allowed to start.
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 and race bib

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.
Safety measures
  • 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.
Cups at ÖTILLÖ Races

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.

Race course

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.

ÖTILLÖ Qualification

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.

Swimrun ranking

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.

ÖTILLÖ Merchandise

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.

Swimrun rescue

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.

SIPE

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!

Force Majeure

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.