How to Qualify for ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship 

Updated qualification criteria for ÖTILLÖ, the Swimrun World Championships.

The original Swimrun race and most well-known is ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship. The race will test every part of your endurance with a whopping 46+ miles of racing, including 40+ miles (65km) of trail running and nearly 6 miles (9.5km) of rough water ocean swimming while racing point-to-point from Sandhamn to Utö crossing 24 islands in the Stockholm Archipelago. Be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to ÖTILLÖ if you qualify for the race

ÖTILLÖ recently revamped their qualification standards for the World Championship, and if you’re dreaming of toeing the line in Sandhamn, here’s everything you need to know to get there.

Step One: Apply

Whether you’re a veteran Swimrunner or first timer, everyone has to apply.

Applications open: Usually on November 15th of the current year.

Deadline to apply: Usually on January 14th of the new year. 

If you’ve earned ranking points during the current Swimrun season, you’ll get an email from ÖTILLÖ with a link to apply as a team of two.

No points? Keep reading, you still might have  a shot at the Wild Card spot.

Step Two: Earn (and Stack) Points

New for 2025 and beyond: qualification is based entirely on ranking points, and it’s all about your combined total as a team.

  • Points are earned by placing in the Top 30 at:

  • ÖTILLÖ World Series races (up to 60 pts for 1st)

  • Selected Merit Races (up to 30 pts for 1st)

Solo racing counts toward your individual score, but the World Champs is still a team event, so you need to make sure you have a partner. (Plus it’s more fun that way.)

After the application window closes, ÖTILLÖ will tally up all the team scores and send invites to the top squads on February 2 a day we coined as Swimrun Christmas.

Teams will have 4 weeks to confirm their spot. If you miss the window the invite rolls down to the next team in line.

How much does ÖTILLÖ cost?

Race Entry Fee: 15,900 Swedish Krona (SEK) or about $1,538 per team

Fee includes the following:

  • Transport from Stockholm City to Pre- Race Hotel (Sunday)

  • Hotel accommodation (Sunday)

  • Dinner (Sunday)

  • Breakfast (Monday)

  • Transport to Start (Monday)

  • Race (Monday)

  • Transport of bags to Finish (Monday)

  • Dinner Utö (Monday)

  • Accommodation at Utö or Monday Night Transport to Stockholm (Monday)

  • Breakfast at Utö (Tuesday)

  • Ferry transport to Stockholm City (Tuesday)

What’s Gone: Podium Auto-Qualification

ÖTILLÖ has always been receptive to athlete feedback, and over time they’ve made thoughtful updates to the qualification process. The new system is simple, clear, and levels the playing field.

  • No more auto-entry for podium finishes.

  • In the past, finishing on the podium at ÖTILLÖ events guaranteed your spot at Worlds, but not anymore.
    Everyone from a returning champion or first-timer enters the same ranking pool.

Every season is a clean slate.

The Wild Card Entry Still Exist

Didn’t rack up points, but still have ÖTILLOÖ dreams? There’s still the Wild Card path (formerly known as Race Director’s Choice).

  • Email ÖTILLÖ with your Swimrun résumé and why you deserve a spot to race. 

  • Wild Cards are limited and awarded at the discretion of the ÖTILLÖ team.

  • The deadline to apply is usually in April of the current year. (Exact date is TBD)).

We’re fans of this move and the updates to the qualification system. It strikes a good balance that rewards consistency, community participation, and a full season of racing. 

We hope this has demystified the process a bit and wish everyone the best of luck if racing from Sandhamn to Utö is on your bucket list of adventures.