8 JUNE 2017
ÖTILLÖ Swimrun will be back at the beautiful, pristine islands south west of England for the third stop of the Swimrun World Series on 17 June. The UK qualifier for the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship will see 110 teams of two from 17 nations tackling a total of 37,5 km of alternating trail running and open water swimming around the scenic isles of Scilly. Another 32 teams will take on the shorter sprint race on Sunday 18 June.
Follow the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Isles of Scilly live on social media on 17 June:
otilloswimrun.com/live
The 110 teams of two, will have their powers of endurance tested to the limit over eight trail runs and seven swim sections across the islands of St. Mary’s, Tresco, St. Martin’s and Bryher. In total, they will cover 29,5 km on foot and 8 km in open water. Two of the swim sections are longer than 2 000 metres in the open Atlantic Ocean. Depending on conditions, these stretches could be very rough. The water is cold and the swims will be a difficult challenge even for the fittest. The fastest teams are expected to complete the course in around five hours.
Will last year’s winners Richard Stannard and Andrew Fargus from GBR manage to defend their victory? The team will meet tough competition from some of the top teams of swimrun, which also counts for the reigning women’s world champion Annika Ericsson of Sweden, who will defend her victory from last year in the women’s class with her team partner Elisabet Pärsdotter Westman.
ÖTILLÖ means island-to-island in Swedish and following its success last year, this is the second time the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Series event will be held on the Isles of Scilly, 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall. ÖTILLÖ organizers describe the archipelago as “the ultimate swimrun destination”, where waves, wind and tidal currents test the mettle of every competitor and the stunning nature lives up the criteria of organizing unique races in unique places. As much as hosting an elite sporting event, respecting nature and leaving zero footprint is an important part of ÖTILLÖ Swimrun’s philosophy. The events’ zero trash policy has been widely acknowledged by the participants.
David Jackson, Executive Director of Islands’ Partnership, says: “We’re delighted to be hosting the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship UK Qualifier again this year. The event is a welcome addition to Scilly’s adventure sports calendar that takes advantage of the islands’ rugged terrain and pristine waters. Best of luck to everyone taking part!”
Eight top teams at ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Isles of Scilly qualify to the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship 2017, on 4 September 2017 in the Stockholm Archipelago: top 3 men, top 3 mixed, top 2 women.
Fast facts ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Isles of Scilly 2017
- 2nd edition, 17 June 2017
- Race course 37, 5 km
- 29,5 km trail running
- 8 000 metres open water swimming
- 7 swim sections
- Longest swim 2 500 metres
- Longest run 7 700 metres
- 110 registered teams from 17 different nationalities
- With sprint race: 20 different nationalities and an extra 32 teams
About Swimrun and ÖTILLÖ
Swimrun is the fast growing sport where you in teams of two alternate trail running and open water swimming along a marked course. There is no time to lose – you run in your wetsuit and swim in your shoes! It is a unique sport and experience as you always race with a partner and the race course is in wild nature. The ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship (ÖTILLÖ meaning island to island in Swedish) is the original swimrun race, renowned as one of the toughest one-day races in the world.
ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Series 2017
Six qualifying races to ÖTILLÖ:
- ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Hvar, Croatia, 2 April -17 First edition!
- ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Utö, Sweden, 28 May -17
- ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Isles of Scilly, UK, 17 June -17
- ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Engadin, Switzerland, 9 July -17
- ÖTILLÖ Swimrun 1000 Lakes, Germany, 1 Oct -17 (qualifier to ÖTILLÖ 2018)
- ÖTILLÖ Swimrun XX – event to be officially confirmed, Nov -17 (qualifier to ÖTILLÖ 2018) First edition!
At each World Series event a sprint race is organised the previous day.
ÖTILLÖ The Swimrun World Championship
- 12th edition on 4 September 2017
- 75 km over and between 26 islands in the Stockholm Archipelago
- Renowned as one of the toughest one-day races in the world
Media Contact
Josefine Ås, pr@otilloswimrun.com, +33 6 79 04 23 46
For TV images / news cuts please contact Josefine Ås