OTILLO Swimrun returns to Orcas

OTILLO Swimrun returns to Orcas Island on Sunday, September 14th for the 7th edition of the unique and grueling multisport event.

The unique endurance race starts and finishes at the Rosario Resort offering easy access to the island’s vast network of running trails and lakes.

The amphibious athletes swim sections of Cascade, Mountain and Twin Lakes and run the hilly terrain throughout Moran State Park, wearing a race kit that includes a wetsuit, swim paddles and pull buoy, and lightweight trail shoes.

Half of the field of 250 racers are from Washington with a handful of other states (California, Oregon, Colorado, Alaska and Texas) representing the majority of the rest of the field. Athletes are coming from outside of the US too including Canada, Mexico and Belgium.

Three distances are on offer from a beginner friendly Experience distance – intended to give newcomers a taste of this exhilarating sport – to a middle-distance Sprint and finally an epic and grueling long-distance World Series

Athletes have the option of racing as a two person team, in which both athletes on the team complete both swim and run legs together, or as an individual.

Last year’s edition was won by Todd Jackson and Corbyn Jann, a men’s team from Anchorage, Alaska. The duo completed the nearly 40k course (12 swim legs and 13 run legs) in 5 hours and 11 minutes. The runners-up, and winners of the mixed team, was the husband and wife duo Greg and Bronwen Dierksen from Boston, Massachusetts, in 5 hours and 14 minutes.

Both defending winners will not be on the Orcas starting line this year as they recently competed at the OTILLO Swimrun World Championships in Stockholm, Sweden on Monday, September 1st. 

Instead, race organizers have partnered with professional triathlete and filmmaker, Eric Lagerstrom, who will tackle the course as a Charity Chaser. Lagerstrom will start 15 minutes after the World Series field and organizers will contribute a donation for everyone he passes throughout the course. Lagerstrom has agreed to pass the donation along to the Orcas Island Booster Club supporting local athletic programs.

OTILLO’s US Series Race Director, Lars Finanger, said the event organization is thrilled to see the sport continue to gain traction in the US with seven events taking place each year. The event on Orcas is the second longest running contest and is a favorite amongst athletes who rave about the island’s incredible beauty and the reward for completing such a grueling course.