# What is swimrun? Canonical: https://zestasy.com/wiki/what-is-swimrun/ Section: Zestasy Wiki > Movement · Updated: 2026-10-13 · Publisher: Zestasy *Zestasy Wiki: our reference answers. Checked for facts and sources; less curated than the magazine.* Swimrun is an endurance sport in which you alternate between running and swimming along a marked course in nature, usually in pairs, wearing the same kit throughout: you run in your wetsuit and swim in your shoes. It began in Sweden in 2002 with a bet between friends to cross the Stockholm archipelago island to island. Imagine a triathlon with no bike, no transition area and no changing tent. You run across an island, wade into the sea, swim to the next island, climb out over the rocks and keep running, still in the same wetsuit and the same shoes. Then you do it again, and again. That is swimrun, and the people who do it tend to talk about it the way other people talk about their favourite holiday. ## Where it came from According to the race's own history on the [ÖTILLÖ site](https://otilloswimrun.com/about/), swimrun started in 2002 with a bet among four friends to get across the Stockholm archipelago from Utö to Sandhamn, a journey of about 70km, swimming and running from island to island in pairs. ÖTILLÖ, Swedish for "island to island", grew out of that challenge, and the organisers describe it as the first recorded swimrun. The same page notes that swimrun is now done in teams of two or solo, with athletes alternating between running and swimming along a pre-marked course in nature, and that because swimrunners do not change their gear between land and water, the whole thing flows as one movement. ## How a race works - **Lots of short legs.** A course might have a dozen or more swims and runs, from a few hundred metres to several kilometres each. - **Teams of two** (in many races). Partners stay together throughout. Some teams use a short tether on the swims so the stronger swimmer can tow a little. - **Nature first.** Courses go across islands, along coastlines, through forests and over rocky shores rather than along roads. - **Shorter versions exist.** Many events offer sprint or short courses alongside the long ones, which is where most people start. ## What you carry Everything you start with, you finish with. A typical swimrunner's kit: - **A swimrun wetsuit,** often cut short at the legs and with zips at the front so you can cool down on runs. Many people start with an old swimming wetsuit cut down. - **Running shoes** that drain well and grip on wet rock. - **Hand paddles** to make up for the drag of swimming in shoes. The [ÖTILLÖ FAQ](https://otilloswimrun.com/faqs) notes that most racers use them and some also use fins. - **A pull buoy** strapped to a leg, to lift the legs while swimming in shoes. - **Swim cap and goggles,** often pushed up onto the forehead while running. Races set their own compulsory kit. The same FAQ lists a whistle, a foldable cup or flask and a waterproof first-aid kit for ÖTILLÖ events, plus a wetsuit if the water is below 19°C. Other races have their own lists, so always read the athlete guide. ## Who it suits Swimrun appeals to people who like being outdoors more than they like the clock. It suits: - **Open-water swimmers** who want to see more of the coast. - **Trail runners** who are curious about the sea. - **Pairs of friends** who want a shared project. Doing it as a team means planning, training and suffering politely together. You do not need to be equally good at both. Most people are stronger at one and survive the other, which is half the charm of the pairs format. ## How to try it without a race Pick a calm, familiar stretch of coast or lake with a lifeguard or an organised group, and try a short loop: a run, a swim between two easy entry points, a run back. Swimming in shoes feels odd at first, so practise somewhere safe. Respect open-water safety advice and local rules, and never do it alone. ## FAQ ### Is swimrun harder than triathlon? Different rather than harder. There is less equipment and no bike, but the terrain is rough, the water is open and the transitions are slippery rocks. ### Do I need a special wetsuit? Not to start. A swimming wetsuit works for short courses; the swimrun-specific versions are more comfortable for running and long races. ### Can I do swimrun on my own? Many races now have solo categories. For training, always swim with others or with supervision. ### How long are the swims? It depends on the course. Short courses tend to have short swims; the long classic races include some long swims, so check the course map before entering. ## Sources - [ÖTILLÖ Swimrun: About](https://otilloswimrun.com/about/) - [ÖTILLÖ Swimrun: FAQs](https://otilloswimrun.com/faqs) ## Related - [How do you know if triathlon is for you?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/is-triathlon-for-you/) - [Do you need a wetsuit for open-water swimming?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/wetsuit-or-not/) - [How do you get into open-water swimming?](https://zestasy.com/movement/getting-into-open-water-swimming/) - [How do you get into trail running?](https://zestasy.com/movement/getting-into-trail-running/) - [How do you swim in a straight line in open water?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/open-water-sighting/) - [All Movement answers in the Wiki](https://zestasy.com/wiki/#movement)