Over Land & Sea

With magical locations, challenging courses and the chance to run around in a weird-looking wetsuit, swimrun is fast captivating triathletes looking  for something new. We took on ÖtillÖ Swimrun Isles of Scilly

- Helen Webster

Halfway through the second run and we’re getting into a rhythm now. Light on our feet, we’re pattering along the narrow coastal trails almost completely in sync. We’re hopping over or bouncing off rocks depending on their size, putting the power down for the uphill sections and relaxing into the descents. Trying to ignore the brambles snagging our shins.

The sun’s searing overhead, but as we only hauled ourselves out of the chilly but clear blue Atlantic a few minutes earlier, I’m not too hot even though I’m running in a wetsuit. Seawater drips down my face and I laugh at the ridiculous, almost childlike joy of it all. The thought crosses my mind: this is one of the world’s toughest sports. I’m having way too much fun.

STARTED WITH A BET

It’s fair to say me and ÖtillÖ have a bit of a history. I went out to the world champs in Sweden in 2015 as a reporter and there was just something about the stunning scenery combined with brutal race conditions and slightly maverick but ever-so-friendly competitors that got under my skin. Add to that a good dose of curiosity about the kit (swimming in shoes? Running in a wetsuit?) and I knew, as any self respecting multisport journalist would, that I had to give it a try.

ÖtillÖ is in its 12th official year now. Meaning ‘island to island’ in Swedish, in swimrun’s purest form you race across islands alternating swimming and running and always with a partner (although solo races are starting to pop up). Many athletes are still experimenting to find the right combination of kit, but you can buy special wetsuits now, designed to meet the demands of both swimming and running.