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The Baltic Experience

Welcome to ÖTILLÖ Swimrun in Germany. Between the calm Baltic Sea, the imposing chalk cliffs and the unspoilt forests of Rügen, you’ll find a natural environment that is both breathtaking and challenging. Let yourself be captivated by the power of the waves, the gentle sounds of nature and the miles of sandy beaches with an endless horizon.

Welcome to Rügen—come see for yourself; your adventure awaits!

Why Rügen?

Because this location offers the perfect blend of nature, sport, and adventure. Binz captivates with unique setting and presents you with countless thrilling challenges. The crystal-clear waters of the Baltic Sea are perfect for open water-swimming, while the diverse trails through forest and scenic coastline make the run an unforgettable experience. Towering chalk cliffs in the background provide a stunning backdrop throughout the competition. Binz is the ideal destination for anyone to be swept away by the dynamism of nature and the challenge of the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun.

Binz is located in the southeast of Germany’s largest island and boasts a variety of landscapes, making it perfect for both relaxing gateaways and adventurous activities. Just a stone’s throw away, you’ll find Jasmund National Park with its ancient beech forests and the inconic chalk cliff – a spectacular Backdrop for your competition. After the race? Explore the insland on foot, or by bike, or on a scenic boat tour.

Getting to Rügen

The Baltic seaside resort of Binz is located in the south-east of the island of Rügen and is easily accessible both by car and by train. The connection to the mainland is via the Rügen Bridge or the Rügen Dam (toll-free). Rostock-Laage Airport offers flight connections with transfer services to Rügen (Binz). If you want to explore the island of Rügen by mobile means, you have all the options: On foot, by train, bus, bicycle, car, boat and aeroplane.

Around Rügen

Binz is absolutely charming. The stunning Kurhaus is a masterpiece of architecture. The historic spa building dating back to 1890 defines the town’s character. The expansive sandy beach invites you to enjoy endless strolls, while the peir offers a stunning view of the Baltic Sea. Don’t miss the charming beach promenade with its cozy cafés and boutiques – the perfect place to unwind and soak in the unique atmosphere.

RACE INFORMATION

Rügen is ideal from a travel perspective.

International Airports

Berlin BER: ~3,5 hrs by car

Hamburg HAM: ~3,5 hrs by car

Your nearest airport for scheduled and charter flights is Rostock-Laage (approx. 120 km from Binz).

Travelling by train

You can travel to Binz on Rügen by train in an environmentally friendly way and without traffic jams. There are IC and ICE connections from all over Germany to the Baltic seaside resort. Some of the hotels, guesthouses and landlords offer a pick-up service from the railway station. Find our more.

For more information please see here.

 
 

We have put together an attractive offers for the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Rügen with hotels in and around Binz. 

 

Ceres am Meer

Our small and luxurious Hotel Ceres am Meer in Binz is nestled in the picturesque coastal landscape of the island of Rügen. Right at the coast of the Baltic Sea, you can immerse yourself in a very special world of vacation. Let yourself go and find your retreat in the midst of the lively coastal town bustle.

Use the code “SWIMRUN25” to get 10% off your booking for travel between September 7 and September 15, 2025

To book your room click here!

Code is valid until July 15, 2025.

 

Kurhaus Binz

The Kurhaus Binz is not only the oldest building of the famous Binz spa architecture, but also the biggest eye-catcher on the entire beach promenade of the Baltic seaside resort. For more than 100 years, this magnificent traditional building has stood for excellent hospitality on Germany’s largest Baltic Sea island. With a wonderful location on the beach and pier and culinary moments of pleasure with a panoramic view of the Baltic Sea.

Use the code “SWIMRUN25” to get 15% off your booking for travel between September 7 and September 15, 2025

To book your room click here!

Code is valid until July 15, 2025.

Race area
The start/finish area is directly in Binz on the Strandpromenade not far from the Seebrücke. Exact Location.

Take a look at the interactive map by selecting your race at the top of the map and get an overview of the start/finish area and the race courses.

Start & Finish
The start and finish for the Sprint and Experience races at the Strandpromenade in Binz. Exact Location.

The start for the World Series race is in Thiessow and the race finishes at Strandpromenade in Binz. Exact Location. There are a busses for racers that will leave in Binz (tbc). We recommend that you are by the bus stop at least 15 minutes before departure. The busses will not wait for anyone.
We kindly ask all our World Series racers to take only one small bag/ person to the start at Thiessow.

 

Changing rooms, toilets and showers
There are a few toilets, showers and changing rooms by the finish line.

Bag drop
For the Sprint & Experience, you can leave a small bag on the beach by the start.

For the World Series, you can bring a small bag/person to the start, which we will bring to the finish line for you.

Mark your bag well. The bag drop is not guarded.

Food
There will be a warm meal and a soft drink served for all racers after the races at Strandpromenade Binz. Exact Location (tbc).

Prize givings
The prize givings will be done by the finish line according to the schedule.

Merchandise
Merchandising can be purchased in the start/finish area and when registering at “Haus des Gastes (Visitor Center)” on Friday.

Registration will take place at “Haus des Gastes (Visitor Center)”. Follow the signs in the lobby to get there. All racers have to come to registation to collect the start pack.

To receive your start pack you will have to display your photo-ID and your personal QR-Code that you will receive via email two days before the start. If you race in a team, both team members need to come to the bib distribution together. 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.

During the 2025 season we have a general online briefing for all races.
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.

Note:

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.

We will have energy (salty and sweet) and liquid stations along the course as marked in the course maps and in the Times & Distance documents.

We will serve…

  • + products of our official partner Umara
    • Sports drink: U Sport in lemon flavor
    • Bars: U Bar, a gluten free energy bar in assorted flavors
    • Gels: U Gel in assorted flavors
    •  
  • + fruits and snacks at the energy stations.
  • + water and if cold weather we will also provide warm liquid.

We will publish a detailed plan of the energy stations approx. 3 weeks before the event.

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.

The ÖTILLÖ Sprint has one (1) cut-off.

  • TIME 3 at TBD

The ÖTILLÖ World Series has two (2) cut-offs.

  • TIME 4 at TBD
  • TIME 6 at TBD

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.

Autumn in Rügen is beautiful with warm temperatures and sun. Day time temperatures are usually around 15-20 degrees C.

Water temperatures is ~16 degrees C. Make sure you dress accordingly.

Like everywhere we can have wind, rain and un-seasonably cold. Make sure you bring clothes to handle this.

We welcome all spectators, friends and families to participate in our events.

The courses are very easy to follow by bicycle or by foot and the whole World Series course is very accessible.

NOTE: You may not assist any teams unless if it is a medical emergency. Any other assistance will result in disqualification of the team.

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 [email protected].

We will cover the ÖTILLÖ Rügen World Series LIVE on otilloswimrun.com/live, please spread the information to all your friends and family.

We will also use #otilloRugen 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.

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