Skip to main content
Close search
April 27, 2025

Catalina Island, CAlifornia, USA

ÖTILLÖ Catalina is back. This event features a challenging course across the scenic terrain of Catalina Island, a rugged and remote island just 21 nautical miles off the California coast. With a 2,300′ vertical drop from the island’s highest point to the water, the views will stun participants. Get ready for tranquil bays, pebble beaches, and crystal-clear waters teeming with fish.

JUMP TO

Mandatory Course Briefing
Low Tide Boyz Course Preview
Race Maps
Teammate Registration
Race Info

Ready to Register?

Register to Race
Register to Volunteer

3 race distances

Join us for any of our 3 race distances, suitable for all ages and fitness levels!

Catalina Island Experience

Total distance

5.41mi / 8,692m

Swim distance

1.05mi / 1,692m

Run distance

4.35mi / 7,000m

Elevation

600ft / 185m

Race details

Catalina Island Sprint

Total distance

10.05mi / 16,174m

Swim distance

1.68mi / 2,698m

Run distance

8.37mi / 13,470m

Elevation

2,350 / 715m

Race details

Catalina Island World Series

Total distance

19.43mi / 31,270m

Swim distance

3.03mi / 4,883m

Run distance

16.4mi / 26,393m

Elevation

4,100ft / 1,250m

Race details

Why Catalina Island?

Ötillö Catalina debuted in 2020 as the first race in the United States to fall under the ÖTILLÖ race banner. Athletes who race the event will see why it attracted the prestige of a globally-recognized swimrun series: Catalina Island offers a unique blend of adventure, challenge, and stunning natural beauty.

Catalina Island is renowned for its picturesque landscape, featuring rugged coastlines, clear waters, and diverse wildlife. The course is challenging, more physically than technically, attracting a wide variety of endurance athletes from Southern California and beyond.

If you’re keen to get a head start on your Swimrun season, experience coastal California culture, and bond with fellow Swimrun athletes on this magical island, don’t miss Ötillö Catalina’s return to the 2025 race calendar.

CATALINA COURSE MAPS

Click “Show Map” to open the map and access GPX files. Use the dropdown menu to select the distance. On mobile, click “Show Map” for the distance dropdown.

CLICK HERE to check out the Low Tide Boyz in-depth course preview!

“I’ve registered myself and established my team; how do I add/register my teammate?”

For insurance reasons, your teammate must register themselves and they register the same way you did. On the third registration page, they’ll be prompted to join a team and can select the one you’ve created. Initially, it may appear that the full fee is being charged, but in the cart, the base cost decreases to $0.

CATALINA RACE INFORMATION

Below, you will find all the essential information about ÖTILLO Swimrun Catalina.

We do not have an officially scheduled awards ceremony, we give our awards out as the winners cross the finish line. 

 

top 3 awards – World Series & Sprint Teams:

  • All Male Teams
  • All Female Teams
  • Mixed Teams

top 3 awards – World Series & Sprint Solos:

  • Male Solos
  • Female Solos

NO AWARDS GIVEN FOR THE Experience RACERS.

CLICK HERE to watch/listen to the online mandatory athlete briefing.

CLICK HERE to watch/listen to the Low Tide Bozy in-depth course preview with race director Lars Finanger.

CLICK HERE to read our FAQs.

We’re excited to share that we’ve chartered two private ferries to transport athletes, volunteers, friends, and family to our start/finish line at Two Harbors! The largest boat, the Duchess from Catalina Classic Cruises, holds 250 people and will depart from San Pedro, California, on race morning. The Duchess will briefly stop in Avalon to pick up more people. Additionally, the Cyclone will be in Avalon, boarding and departing at the same time as the Duchess, allowing us to welcome up to 350 total people. After the race, both boats will return everyone who rode with us on the way out back to their original departure points as scheduled below. For anyone who wants to leave the island earlier, please CLICK HERE to check the Catalina Express Public Ferry website for options. If you choose to depart on the public ferry (not ours), earlier in the day, you are responsible for paying that fee.

Everyone must have a ticket to ride our private ferries, regardless of who you are or where you’re boarding from. All athletes and volunteers automatically receive tickets included with their registration. Athletes were charged for them during registration and volunteers get them as a complimentary item. Friends and family wishing to join us must purchase separate tickets (per person) to ride our ferries.

FRIENDS & FAMILY – CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE FERRY + MEAL TICKETS

WE DO NOT SEND ATHLETES PHYSICAL TICKETS. WE SEND VOLUNTEERS + FRIENDS & FAMILY DIGITAL TICKETS IN THE FORM OF SCANNABLE QR CODES.

Procedures for boarding are as follows:

Athletes – Show your jersey/bib you received at packet pickup to board in the morning. Show your finisher’s medal to board in the evening. We have other verification methods as well.

Volunteers + Friends & Family – We will email you a QR code. Use this code to board in the morning and again to board in the evening.

MAINLAND FERRY – DUCHESS – CATALINA CLASSIC CRUISES – CAPACITY 250

Board @ 95 Berth, San Pedro, CA 90731

  • 4:00 AM – Boarding in San Pedro (Mainland)
  • 4:30 AM – Departure for Avalon
  • 6:00 AM – Arrival in Avalon / Boarding
  • 6:30 AM – Departure for Two Harbors
  • 7:30 AM – Arrival in Two Harbors / Unloading
  • 5:15 PM – Boarding at Two Harbors
  • 5:45 PM – Departure for Avalon
  • 6:45 PM – Arrival in Avalon / Unloading
  • 7:00 PM – Departure for San Pedro
  • 9:15 PM – Arrival in San Pedro / Unloading

ISLAND FERRY – CYCLONE – CATALINA ISLAND COMPANY – CAPACITY 100

Board @ Green Pier, Avalon, CA 90704

  • 6:00 AM – Boarding in Avalon (Island)
  • 6:30 AM – Departure for Two Harbors
  • 7:30 AM – Arrival in Two Harbors / Unloading
  • 5:15 PM – Boarding at Two Harbors
  • 5:45 PM – Departure for Avalon
  • 6:45 PM – Arrival in Avalon / Unloading

In the event of severe weather like lightning, flooding, or hurricane force winds, we will delay the event in 20-minute increments. If the weather does not improve, we will assess the situation every 20 minutes to ensure the event can still take place in some form. Our priority is the safety of our athletes, and any decisions made during severe weather will be in their best interest.

MANDATORY – RACE PROVIDED

• Swim Cap – Color coded to the event distance.
• Number Bib (OSFA) – Each team has matching bib numbers color coded to the event distance.
• Restube (Solo Racers Only) – Auto inflating personal flotation device (emergencies only)
     Please return at the finish line. Athletes may also use their own auto inflating or tow-behind buoy (instead), if they would like.
• Timing Chip & Ankle Strap (1 Per Team, 1 Per Solo Racer)
     It does not matter which teammate wears the timing chip. Please return at the finish line.

MANDATORY – ATHLETE PROVIDED

• Shoes – To be worn the entire race. Look for a light shoe with support, lots of grip, and good drainage.
• Wetsuit – We recommend a Swimrun style wetsuit but any wetsuit is allowed. Please do not email us asking if a wetsuit is truly mandatory. It’s on this list, it’s mandatory for everyone.
• Whistle – One per team. If you’re a solo athlete there’s a whistle built into your Restube ripcord.
• Compression Bandage One per team. One per solo racer. We race in remote areas. This is required so that if you get cut and no one is around you can attempt to stop the bleeding. CLICK HERE to see how to use it.
• Tether One per team. This is a precaution in the case of bad weather OR becomes mandatory if you find yourself separating from your teammate during the swim.

PACKET PICKUP DETAILS

  • We will have complimentary packet pickup in Long Beach for everyone staying on the mainland.
  • For those staying in Avalon, we will have your packets pre stuffed and available for pickup as well, at no extra charge.
  • For those staying at Two Harbors, we will have your packet for you race morning. Meet us at the start/finish line at 6:30 am.

  • If you are staying in either Long Beach or Avalon, and cannot make it to your designated Saturday packet pickup timeframe, please email us.

DAY-BEFORE PACKET PICKUP TIMES & LOCATIONS

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

In Long Beach
Gladstone’s – 330 S Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802

  • 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • 25% off total check (up to $25 savings) when you show your picked up packet.
  • Parking Validation upon request (for garage parking)

In Avalon
Hotel Metropole – 205 Crescent Avenue, Avalon, CA, 90704

  • 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM

PACKET PICKUP RULES

  • It is mandatory to pick up your race packet the day before. 
  • We prefer that everyone picks up their own packet the day before the race and that teams come together during this time, we understand that this may not always be possible. Therefore, we allow one team member to pick up an entire team packet, as well as family members and friends to pick up packets for racers, as long as they have the registrant’s permission and a valid ID.
  • To make the check-in process quick and easy, please show your QR code at the packet pickup. We will email this to each racer the week of the event. Each QR code is specific to your registration. If you do not have your QR code, you can check in with a photo ID. You do not need to show a USA Triathlon Membership card, even though this is a USAT sanctioned event.

Can’t Pickup Your Packet the Day Before AT EITHER LOCATION?

Email Us and let us know so we can work with you.

PACKET PICKUP ITEMS

The following items are given to each racer at packet pickup:

  • Apparel Item
  • Swim Cap
  • Collapsable Cup
  • Number Bib
  • Timing Chip & Ankle Strap
    • It doesn’t matter which teammate wears it. Please return at the end of the race.
  • Rest Tube (Solo Only)
    • Please return at the end of the race.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

TEAM ENVOL PRE-RACE CLINICS

Contact [email protected] with questions.

In Long Beach
Alamitos Beach near Gaucho Beach Cafe.

  • 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

In Avalon
Green Pleasure Pier

  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

READY TO REGISTER?

CLICK HERE

REGISTRATION FEES

Race alone or come as a team and enjoy the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Experience at Catalina Island.

Door Buster – Nov 25, 2024

  • Experience Team – $125 USD
  • Experience Solo – $70 USD
  • Sprint Team – $425 USD
  • Sprint Solo – $225 USD
  • World Series Team – $625 USD
  • World Series Solo – $325 USD

Early Bird – Dec 1, 2024

  • Experience Team – $150 USD
  • Experience Solo – $85 USD
  • Sprint Team – $450 USD
  • Sprint Solo – $250 USD
  • World Series Team – $650 USD
  • World Series Solo – $350 USD

Regular – Jan 1, 2025

  • Experience Team – $175 USD
  • Experience Solo – $100 USD
  • Sprint Team – $475 USD
  • Sprint Solo – $275 USD
  • World Series Team – $675 USD
  • World Series Solo – $375 USD

Late – March 1, 2025

  • Experience Team – $200 USD
  • Experience Solo – $110 USD
  • Sprint Team – $500 USD
  • Sprint Solo – $300 USD
  • World Series Team – $700 USD
  • World Series Solo – $400 USD

REGISTRATION CHANGES, REFUNDS, TRANSFERS, & DEFERRALS

WE DO NOT ALLOW:

  • Refunds on your race entry.
  • Transfers of solo or full team entries to completely different athletes. As a team you’re allowed to swap out your teammate as long as one original member stays on the team.

WE DO ALLOW:

  • Transferring to another ÖTILLÖ USA race within the same calendar year.
  • Deferring to next year’s race. This MUST be done at least 2-weeks prior to the event. We will be stricter on this deadline in 2025 than we have been in previous years. 
  • Changing teammates.
  • Changing from team to solo.
  • Changing distances.
  • Splitting a team entry into two solo entries.
  • Combining two solo entries into one team entry.
  • Refunds on add-ons like wetsuits, race morning packet pickup, and spectator boat tickets as long as they are requested more than a week prior to the race.

How-To Make Changes to Your Registration

Racers have the ability to change events, transfer to a different race, or defer their entry if they would like. It’s as simple as logging into your RunSignup account and making the change(s) yourself. If you don’t know how to do it, checkout the short RunSignup tutorials below:

All racers are required to wear a wetsuit during the swim. We suggest using a Swimrun wetsuit rather than a full-body triathlon style wetsuit because Swimrun wetsuits are lighter, more flexible, and easier to run in without overheating. However, any type of wetsuit is acceptable.

For those who do not own a wetsuit and prefer not to purchase one, we have a limited number of Ark Sports rental wetsuits available. These suits can be rented as an add-on during registration, or you can add them later by logging into your RunSignup account and editing your registration to include the rental suit.

ALREADY REGISTERED AND NEED TO ADD-ON A RENTAL WETSUIT? – CLICK HERE

If you have rented a wetsuit, you can pick it up during packet pickup. We may not have extra suits available for rent if you have not reserved one in advance, so please plan accordingly. If you rented a wetsuit and have opted for race morning packet pickup, your wetsuit will be available at that time.

After the race, please remember to remove any items from the wetsuit pockets and return it to the wetsuit tub at the finish line.

  • Minors who are under the age of 18 must obtain permission from the race director before signing up. They also need their parents to sign them up.
  • Mandatory gear is required and may be checked at any time during the race. Participants without the mandatory gear will be disqualified.
  • Teams must have a tether with them at all times, but are only required to be tethered together under certain conditions:
    • if they want to
    • if they continuously separate during swims
    • if the race organizers announce that all teams must be tethered due to weather conditions.
  • Teams must stick together at all times, and leaving a teammate behind is not allowed.
  • Participants must stay on the marked course at all times. Going off course and returning to it is not allowed.
  • Littering is prohibited, and participants should dispose of their trash in designated areas or with event volunteers.
  • It is the responsibility of each individual participant to come to the start line fully prepared. This includes familiarizing themselves with all event information provided on the website, in emails, and in videos.

Below you will find a general/basic schedule of events. For more details pertaining to the ferries and packet pickup please visit those above on this accordion menu.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

TEAM ENVOL PRE-RACE CLINICS

Contact [email protected] with questions.

In Long Beach
Alamitos Beach near Gaucho Beach Cafe.

  • 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

In Avalon
Green Pleasure Pier

  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

PACKET PICKUP

In Long Beach
Gladstone’s – 330 S Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802

  • 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • 25% off total check (up to $25 savings) when you show your picked up packet.
  • Parking Validation upon request (for garage parking)

In Avalon
Hotel Metropole – 205 Crescent Avenue, Avalon, CA, 90704

  • 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

THE FERRIES

We’re excited to share that we’ve chartered two private ferries to transport athletes, volunteers, friends, and family to our start/finish line at Two Harbors! The largest boat, the Duchess from Catalina Classic Cruises, holds 250 people and will depart from San Pedro, California, on race morning. The Duchess will briefly stop in Avalon to pick up more people. Additionally, the Cyclone will be in Avalon, boarding and departing at the same time as the Duchess, allowing us to welcome up to 350 total people. After the race, both boats will return everyone who rode with us on the way out back to their original departure points as scheduled below. For anyone who wants to leave the island earlier, please CLICK HERE to check the Catalina Express Public Ferry website for options. If you choose to depart on the public ferry (not ours), earlier in the day, you are responsible for paying that fee.

Everyone must have a ticket to ride our private ferries, regardless of who you are or where you’re boarding from. All athletes and volunteers automatically receive tickets included with their registration. Athletes were charged for them during registration and volunteers get them as a complimentary item. Friends and family wishing to join us must purchase separate tickets (per person) to ride our ferries.

FRIENDS & FAMILY – CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE FERRY + MEAL TICKETS

WE DO NOT SEND ATHLETES PHYSICAL TICKETS. WE SEND VOLUNTEERS + FRIENDS & FAMILY DIGITAL TICKETS IN THE FORM OF SCANNABLE QR CODES.

Procedures for boarding are as follows:

Athletes – Show your jersey/bib you received at packet pickup to board in the morning. Show your finisher’s medal to board in the evening. We have other verification methods as well.

Volunteers + Friends & Family – We will email you a QR code. Use this code to board in the morning and again to board in the evening.

MAINLAND FERRY – DUCHESS – CATALINA CLASSIC CRUISES – CAPACITY 250

Board @ 95 Berth, San Pedro, CA 90731

  • 4:00 AM – Boarding in San Pedro (Mainland)
  • 4:30 AM – Departure for Avalon
  • 6:00 AM – Arrival in Avalon / Boarding
  • 6:30 AM – Departure for Two Harbors
  • 7:30 AM – Arrival in Two Harbors / Unloading
  • 5:15 PM – Boarding at Two Harbors
  • 5:45 PM – Departure for Avalon
  • 6:45 PM – Arrival in Avalon / Unloading
  • 7:00 PM – Departure for San Pedro
  • 9:15 PM – Arrival in San Pedro / Unloading

ISLAND FERRY – CYCLONE – CATALINA ISLAND COMPANY – CAPACITY 100

Board @ Green Pier, Avalon, CA 90704

  • 6:00 AM – Boarding in Avalon (Island)
  • 6:30 AM – Departure for Two Harbors
  • 7:30 AM – Arrival in Two Harbors / Unloading
  • 5:15 PM – Boarding at Two Harbors
  • 5:45 PM – Departure for Avalon
  • 6:45 PM – Arrival in Avalon / Unloading

THE RACE

  • 8:00 AM – All races start.
  • 5:00 PM – Finish line cutoff for all races. This is so that everyone can make it to our ferries in time for the 5:45 PM departure.

START/FINISH & POST RACE AREA

  • Harbor Sands is our start/finish line area. This is the sandy beach area to the right as you exit the ferry dock at Two Harbors on Catalina Island. 

RESTROOMS

  • There will be restrooms available at the ferry terminals, on the ferry, and at the start/finish line. On course the only restrooms that will be available are those that are permanent and already on the course. These have nothing to do with the race and will be random.

Bag drop

  • Everyone can drop a bag of their choice with dry clothes and belongings at the start/finish line area. We will instruct everyone exactly where to do this on race morning. We do not manage and watch these bags. While we have never had issue with missing/stolen items, we are not responsible for your belongings so please do not put anything of real importance and/or value in your drop bag.

POST RACE FOOD & DRINK

  • All finishers will have access to post race food and drink near the finish line area.

CLOSEST AIRPORT to catalina

  • Los Angeles International Airport

Travel to & From catalina

We provide privately chartered ferries to take athletes, volunteers, and friends and family from the mainland (San Pedro) to Two Harbors, with a stop in Avalon, along with another ferry that people can use to go direction from Avalon to Two Harbors. Everyone must have a ticket. Athletes get theirs during registration, volunteers get one just for volunteering, and friends and family much purchase theirs through us. These private ferries also do one return trip at the very end of the race returning everyone to their point of origin, using the second half of their round trip ticket.

LODGING

Since we run a private athlete only ferries to and from the race on race day we recommend you stay in the location of those ferries. On the mainland that’s Long Beach and on Catalina Island that is Avalon. Of course if you can find somewhere to stay at Two Harbors (our start/finish line area) that’s even better as you will not require the use of our ferries.

Volunteers are the backbone of the race. We could not do what we do for the athletes, without volunteers. We are always in need of volunteers that are ready and willing to help with various positions during race weekend. All registered volunteers receive a t-shirt, and meal after their shift concludes. All volunteers must register via our system and check in and out for their shift. Some volunteer positions even have stipends associated with them and groups that volunteer and identify themselves as such will be eligible for a donation.

READY TO VOLUNTEER? – CLICK HERE

Every water stop will be equipped with a minimum of two coolers.

  • One cooler will contain regular water.
  • The other cooler will be filled with Precision Hydration electrolyte-infused water. You can identify this cooler by the “PH” marking on its top.
  • Additionally, most, if not all, water stops will have a  container holding PH gels, extra silicone cups (if needed) and backup swim caps for anyone that may need one along the way.

Please ensure that any trash you have is disposed of in the designated trash bag, typically tied to the handle of one of the water coolers. Leaving trash on the course or failing to use the trash bags will result in immediate disqualification and a ban from all future races.

Ready to Register?

Register to Race
Register to Volunteer

Getting to Catalina Island

In general, Catalina Island is conveniently accessible by ferries from both Long Beach and San Pedro, making it easy for participants traveling from Los Angeles or other areas. The island’s car-free environment promotes a strong sense of community, as most amenities are within walking distance. 

Around Catalina island

Catalina Island offers a wide range of activities beyond swimrun, making it a popular destination for various interests. Here are some of the most popular activities: Kayaking and Paddleboarding, Snorkeling, Ziplining, Diving, Bison Tours, Hiking and , Glass Bottom Boat Tours and Spa and Wellness activities.

These activities highlight Catalina Island’s appeal as a versatile destination for adventure seekers, nature lovers, and those looking to relax..

Other bucket list destinations

July 05, 2025

Engadin Switzerland

Engadin is the race that started the international swimrun movement. The race is a journey through the Upper Engadin valley. It is known to be one of the most beautiful races in the world.
Race details

July 06, 2025

Whistler Canada

You’ll find Whistler in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia just two hours north of Vancouver. This legendary resort is an international mountain sports mecca and a down-to-earth mountain town.
Race details

August 10, 2025

Casco Bay USA

The birthplace of Americas first official SwimRun. Where it all began. Salty ocean swims, changing tides, island hopping, rock scrambles, historic sites, and that feel that only the East Coast, Maine, and this legendary race can deliver.
Race details
View all races

Our partners

Ark Dryrobe