Daniel Rowland

ÖTILLÖ Cannes World Series - France - 2025 - 5th

2025-10-04T19:00:00.045+02:00

Cannes is the final race of the European ÖTILLÖ season and in 2026 it will be worth double the points of other races in the World Series. This makes it an important race next year and as it is is in October it is also a chance for a final warm race of the summer. Ben and I decided to race together again (after Engadin and Åland) to refine our team tactics and learn the Cannes route.

The race started at an insane pace! It was just a little too fast for Ben on the first run so I pulled with the tether until about 500m before the first swim where we disconnected. That was a mistake because the first swim was too fast for me! We managed to catch onto the back of the second group on the next run, but it was still too fast and we decided to settle into our own rhythm.

In the middle two-thirds of the race Ben led the swims and I led the runs. We were working well as a team, catching some solo athletes and mixed teams as the race went on. We missed an aid station in the middle of the course and were feeling the heat, but good equipment management and sharing the water we had meant we could maintain our effort.

On the steep climb up the funicular and during that 6km run stage we remained untethered. Then for the final hour of the race, I pulled for a few runs and a swim, and then took over to pull us on the final run and swim. This made the most of our individual strengths setting us up for the fastest finish we could achieve. We finished in fifth with the best result possible for us on the day.

The race was fast, hard, and an eye-opening experience. We worked the best we have as a team this season and learned the route which were our goals. We have some work to do, but we'll be there and ready to race in 2026.

Race result

4 October 2025
41.2km (8.1km swim; 33.1km run)
345m
4:32:40
5th

Swimrun Vernier - Switzerland - 2025 - 1st

2025-08-30T19:00:00.003+02:00

Daniel and I took a chance on a last-minute entry for a SwimRun race in Vernier, just outside of Geneva. We chose to do one loop of the course, a lovely circuit which we started at an awe-inspiring pace, probably the fast 1km I have ever run! We raced down to the river and plunged into the opaque Rhône leading our category. In the swim section, Daniel tried to take a short cut and swim a direct line across the middle of the river instead of hugging the curve, but this made the safety team nervous and they kept nudging us closer to the shore! Nevertheless, we still managed to exit the swim in the lead.

Daniel set a tremendous pace for the final few kilometres to make sure that we weren’t caught. I somehow managed to keep up, even on the uphills through the beautiful forest trails. We raced our hardest and ended up coming first overall in our race, even beating the first men’s team! It was another fun adventure for us, a chance to see somewhere new and do something we love together.

Race result

30 August 2025
6.9km (0.7km swim; 6.2km run)
139m
0:37:14
1st

ÖTILLÖ Åland Experience - Åland - 2025 - 1st

2025-08-10T17:00:00.037+02:00

We had a super SwimRun adventure in Åland, an autonomous region in the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Finland. It’s always nice to go somewhere new and do something familiar, and Åland exceeded our expectations on both fronts. We travelled over from Sweden on a huge ferry and set up camp near the Käringsund Beach where the race started and ended.

The race organisers had a new set-up with the World Series and Sprint distance races on Saturday and the Experience race on Sunday. That meant that hardcore athletes like Daniel could finish second in the World Series race the day before (described by the organisers as their most challenging event) and then race again with their families and fans the next day!

Our route was slightly less demanding than Saturday’s 48.7km, but it did have some ambitious swim entries and exits including climbing a rope out of one swim and running and jumping off the slippery rocks on a small island into the final swim of the race. Daniel controlled the race really well for us, pulling a bit harder on the tether in the swims, and encouraging me non-stop on the running sections through forest trails and over the iconic red rocks of the archipelago islands.

The route was beautiful, there were great people cheering us on along the way, and the organisation by Ötillö was excellent. When we crossed the finish line, I was delighted and surprised to hear that we had come first in the mixed category! We loved being able to race together - here’s to the next one!

Race result

10 August 2025
6.6km (0.9km swim; 5.7km run)
100m
0:56:25
1st

ÖTILLÖ Åland World Series - Åland - 2025 - 2nd

2025-08-09T16:53:00.044+02:00

The ÖTILLÖ race in Åland was held for the first time in 2025. Ben and I decided to race together after our successful race in Engadin. We were both excited to go somewhere new and we felt like the route suited us with plenty of swimming and technical running.

Åland is an island in the Baltic sea between Sweden and Finland. It was my first trip to Finland and because the race was in the school holidays V was able to join me. We also raced in the Experience race on Sunday which made for a fun family weekend of racing.

In the World Series race, Ben and I decided to go with the leaders and follow the pace from the start gun. This worked well and we felt great in the swims especially as we were mostly following Alexis and Viktor with Alexis doing the hard work. In the runs we had to push more, but we were still able to stay in the lead as a group of two teams.

This lasted for about two hours until a very technical descent and a huge leap into the sea. On the jump both Ben and I lost our buoys and Alexis and Viktor pulled away from us. On the next run I fumbled my buoy and took far too long to get myself together which let the gap open up even more. We pushed the pace to try and catch up for another hour before agreeing to settle into our own rhythm.

As the race went on, I began to struggle. First in the swims where I couldn't stay on Ben's feet and later on the runs. Ben took over and pulled for both swims and runs in the last third of the race.

We managed to stay in second place in the men's category despite some mixed teams coming passed. At the finish line I was relieved to be done. The advantage of being in a teamand having Ben's strength to pull and encourage me was amazing. The only downside of the team work was a sense that I was letting us down through having a bad day. I'm slowly starting to learn how well being a team can work and racing with Ben is awesome. I'm also excited to train hard to contribute more in our coming races.

Åland was an incredible event, we finished on the podium, developed as a team, and had an excellent trip to somewhere new. I'm looking forward to going back and showing what I'm capable of on this route.

Race result

9 August 2025
48.7km (10.0km swim; 38.7km run)
356m
6:59:49
2nd

ÖTILLÖ Engadin - Switzerland - 2025 - 3rd

2025-07-05T19:00:00.069+02:00

ÖTILLÖ Engadin is my favorite race. It is in Switzerland, it is in the mountains, the route suits me, and it feels like home. It also helps that I've had good races there in the past and that I know the route and area well (race reports from 2023 and 2024). This year I teamed up with Ben Thuismeyer for the first time and my first World Series Team race in Engadin.

The race started off at a super fast pace and Ben and let the other athletes go ahead and settled into a pace that would suit us. We were in fourth position after the first three swims, but we could see the second and third teams just ahead of us. On the first big climb we held our pace and effort and then on the first descent we caught those two teams and could see the leaders ahead of us.

For the next swim and run we were moving well and I thought we were swimming faster than the other two teams. I pushed the pace and Ben followed my initiative to try and make a gap before the 900m swim to Maloja. However, in the swim to Maloja the gaps remained the same and then we all regrouped on the next run, swam together, and started the next longer run in a group of three teams.

On the climb up from Maloja we moved ahead with Remi and David and left the team in fourth with an even bigger gap after the technical descent. From there, we worked with Remi and David to maintain the gap until the very last run where they pulled ahead and I wasn't strong enough to go with them (although Ben might have been). I think third place was fair for how we raced on the day and it was my fastest time on that route so I'm pleased. It was a pleasure to race with Ben and I think we worked really well together.

Next month we're racing Aland and we've got a few more aggressive tactics and plans so hopefully we can do another solid performance.

As always, Engadin was amazing and I look forward to racing there again!

Race result

5 July 2025
42.7 km (5.85km swim; 36.85km run)
1280m
4:44:23
3rd

ÖTILLÖ Utö - Sweden - 2025 - 2nd

2025-06-07T19:00:00.030+02:00

In 2025 I have three ÖTILLÖ World Series planned: Utö, Engadin, and Åland. I’ll be racing Engadin and Åland with Ben Thuismeyer so I wanted to have at least one solo race where I can test myself and enjoy the dynamics of a solo race.

I raced Utö with Donato last year so I felt confident about the route and all the logistics around the race. This is a special place for swimrunners so I was excited to go back and race again. Also, my parents joined me for the trip to Stockholm with my mom spectating and my data taking part in the Experience race.

Leading up to the race we learned that some of the swims had been shortened due to the cold water temperatures. Then on the ferry it was windy and we could see the waves all around us. I knew it would be a tough race and I braced myself for the conditions and what was to come.

From the start Alexander Berggren pushed ahead and I settled into second place. We would remain in those positions all the way to finish! I was alone from the first swim and apart from overtaking teams on the route, I didn’t see anyone from the solo division until the finish. It was a race where I would need to manage my effort all day.

In the first half I felt strong and pushed myself on the runs and aimed to perform smooth and fast transitions. This worked well because I was holding Alexander at about the same time gap most of the way and I was opening up some time on Henrik who was in third place. In this part of the route the swim entries and exits were not too technical and the sea was relatively calm and easy to swim in.

In the second half everything became a little more tricky. The waves were rolling between the islands and each little swim became harder and harder to exit. I slowed just a little here to manage my effort and to complete the day as well as possible. I struggled in some of the waves and later heard that many athletes were washed into and off the rocks and needed multiple attempts to get out the sea. Once I settled into a slightly adjusted pace, I was able to navigate well and then push some more on the final run.

I was happy with my performance, how I managed the cold and conditions, and of course to get a podium in a World Series race! Uto was so much fun and I’d love to go back there again.

Race result

7 June 2025
32,4km (5.4km swim; 27.0km run)
460m
3:44:34
2nd

Geneva Marathon - Switzerland - 2025 - 2:40:25

2025-05-11T19:00:00.007+02:00

Last year I ran the Geneva Marathon as my first marathon and I had a great time. However, I felt like I could run faster and since then I have wanted to push myself to do a better marathon. Instead of choosing a different or faster route, I decided to go back to Geneva as I would be able to compare my performances from the two years.

I had big plans for my training with lots of refinements from the lessons I learned last year. That would involve more running at marathon pace, a careful management of total training load, and a better taper into the race. Unfortunately an injury in December and January set me back to almost zero. I reset my plan and apart from a couple of weeks when I was sick in the middle of the build, everything went as well as possible.

In the lead up to the race I ran a 5km, a 10km, and a 21km which felt like a good progression and a chance to figure out my pacing and set reasonable goals for the marathon. In order from least to most demanding: I hoped to run faster than last year (2:42), then to run under 2:40, and finally to try and run a 3:45/km pace.

Race day was a perfect! It was a little warm, but I felt ready for that and I was more excited for those conditions than the rain and wind from the previous year. I started with a good group and the pace felt smooth and I thought it would be possible to hold until the end. Most of the people around me were aiming for sub-2:40 and some even faster times so I thought I was in the right place to pursue my goals. I settled into the group and let them do the pacing and managing the effort.

This strategy worked very well until halfway. When we went through the aid station we were close to the group’s goal time, but with what the other runners had told me I expected them to step up the pace to run faster second halves. At the aid station I was faster than the other runners and then I settled into a pace just a little faster than the first half. I was surprised when I looked around a kilometer later and no one had come with me or caught up after the aid station. I wasn’t going much faster, but it seemed like I was the only one from the group to follow through with the plans!

I ran by myself all the way to finish and gradually passed multiple different runners who were slowing. I felt stronger from 32km to the finish compared to last year even though the last few kilometers were hard work and I felt like my form wasn’t quite as smooth or strong as I would have liked. I ran 1:20:23 for the first half and 1:20:00 for the second half so it was great pacing and a perfect negative split.

I was happy with how I executed the race on the day. I’ve said that of each race so far this year and I feel like I’m able to squeeze the best out of myself over all the distances. However, I also would like my best to be a little faster and I know that’s possible with a better build up.

I’m definitely going for another marathon either later this year or early next year. And this time I want to go to a faster route with a deep field so I can have optimal conditions to run my fastest marathon.

Race result

11 May 2025
42km
2:40:25
33rd

Zurich half-marathon - Switzerland - 2025 - 1:17:17

2025-04-13T20:01:00.065+02:00

In preparation for my first goal race of the year, I decided to build up through shorter distances. I started with a 5km at Payerne, then did the 10km at Kerzers, and the Zurich half-marathon was the next step. I was excited to be racing a half-marathon and also pleased to head to Zurich to experience the city a little before the race.

I travelled to Zurich a few days early to do some training sessions with Ben, who I will be racing some swimrun events with in the summer. This wasn't exactly a taper, as we went hard in a couple of swims and runs, which I really enjoyed and which helped us to become a better team. I wasn't too worried about resting up, as this was an interim goal and race, and I needed to maintain some consistency as I worked towards the marathon in May.

As the race started at 13h15, I had plenty of time in the morning for a slow start to the day, to think about my race strategy, and to get to the start. I planned to run a pace of 3:45/km for the first 14km and then see if I could pick up the pace from there. On the way to the start, it was a little wet but warm which were good conditions for running. I did my usual warm-up and joined plenty of runners in the starting pens.

From the start, I settled easily into my race pace. I was in a good group and didn't need to work too hard or think too much about controlling the pace. I wasn't sure if I would be able to pick it up, as the effort felt okay, but not necessarily easy. However, at about 10km, I found myself moving out of and back into the group I was with at every slight turn of the road. I was the only one cutting the tangents and aiming to run the shortest route. On one long curve, I ended up on the other side of the course. I tried to hold my own pace, and naturally I started to run a little faster and move ahead of the group. I decided to go with this effort, even if it was a little earlier than planned.

Over the next 7–8km, I was feeling super focused and completely at home in the effort and the task of the day. I was gradually catching and passing runners, and it felt great. I was consistent in my pacing, and this was rewarded with a stream of runners slowly coming back to me. In the last few kilometres, the race wound through the city and I could feel the effort, as well as all the turns and cobbled sections. I didn’t slow, but it was harder work to get to the finish while holding the same pace.

In the end, I was very happy with my performance and effort on the day. I’ve had the feeling that I’m behind where I hoped to be at this point in the year, but after that effort, I know I’m close to where I was at the same time last year, and I’m resolved not to think about where I could have been any more. In any case, I was much faster than in my last half-marathon in Lausanne a few years ago. With only four weeks until the Geneva marathon, I’m in good shape and have a chance to sharpen up and get ready for a good race there.

Race result

13 April 2025
21km
1:17:17
60th

Kerzerlauf 10km - Switzerland - 2025 - 7th

2025-03-15T20:00:00.000+01:00

After missing the 10km in Payerne (I ran the 5km instead), I decided to race a different 10km to check my progress. The Kerzerlauf race was at exactly the right time and close to home.

Before the race, I was hoping to run at a pace of 3:30/km, but on my warm up I saw some of the hills, felt the wind, and realised that there were some trails and not just fast, flat roads. I adjusted my plan to run the same effort, but to allow for the conditions.

As I did in Payere a few weeks ago, I ran as hard as I could for the whole race. I managed to stay consistent and run my fastest kilometer from eight to nine kilometres (a nice slightly downhill and tarred road section). Unfortunately, from halfway until the end of the race the route was shared with the 15km race and there were a lot of people all over the trails and roads which meant moving around and adjusting the pace.

Overall, I was pleased to execute another race as well as I could on the day. It was a little slower than I hoped, but I couldn't have done anything more.

My fitness is slowly coming, and I saw some progress from Payerne, so now I just need to keep on this path.

Near the start and just getting going.

Navigating traffic while heading into the finish.

Race result

15 March 2025
10km
0:36:11
7th

5km Payerne - Switzerland - 2025

2025-02-23T20:00:00.016+01:00

I have raced at Payerne twice before (10km in 2022, and 10km in 2024) and it's a race I enjoy going to at the beginning of the season to test where I'm at. Usually, I would aim to run the 10km, but this year after an injury in the winter and a few colds, I wasn't ready to push hard for 10km. I entered the 5km race instead.

In the race, I just went as hard as I could from the gun all the way to the finish. It felt great to be running hard and to see some progress from where I had been just a few weeks before. I was by myself most of the way, but managed to pass a couple of runners who were fading while I managed to hold my pace in the last kilometer.

I was very happy with how the day went. Even though it was the slowest 5km I've run on that route (the 10km race is two 5km loops), it was a sign of tremendous progress from not being able to run at all a month before.

I'm not where I want to be at this point in the season, but it's also not a disaster. I have to work with the fitness I have and progress as quickly as I can to be ready for the big goals in the summer.

Race result

23 February 2025
5km
0:17:27
9th

2024 Running season recap and lessons

2024-12-31T10:00:00.121+01:00

In 2024, I shifted my primary racing focus towards swimrun. I had entered the ÖTILLÖ World Championships with Donato, so I planned to race Utö with him as a trial and to race Engadin on my own to try to improve my performance there. Alongside those races, I added a couple of adventures: Rockman was a last-minute decision when I was invited by Markus, and SwimRunMan Grands Lacs de Laffrey was a race with Vanessa.

My running races included the Geneva Marathon, which gave me a winter focus to build fitness, and Sierre-Zinal, where I didn’t finish due to illness.

I’ll link to each race report below, where there are more photos and details. These are just some quick recaps and thoughts after the season.

Geneva Marathon

This was the first time I raced a marathon—and it was great. It’s a fantastic event, and I learnt a lot both in preparation and in the race itself. I was pleased with my performance, but I also believe I’m capable of much more.

I’ll be racing another marathon again soon and plan to use this type of training to keep me focused through future winters.

ÖTILLÖ Utö

This was the first race Donato and I did together. It was a pleasure to race with him and learn from his knowledge of the route and conditions. We raced well and found a good rhythm that set us up for the World Championships later in the year.

I enjoyed the Utö route and plan to return to race there again.

ÖTILLÖ Engadin

This is my “home” race and I love it! It has so many challenges: altitude, cold water, hot temperatures on the trails, and plenty of climbing and descending. I feel like this route is the easiest for me to prepare for, based on my past racing experience.

I had a great race. I was alone all day and managed my pace and effort well. I was racing fast, but also enjoying the experience. I’ll be going back again next year.

Rockman

Markus invited me to join him in the week of the race, and I jumped at the opportunity. It was a fantastic event. We were very lucky with the weather as it was clear and beautiful, and we could see all the sights along the route.

We raced well until about two-thirds of the way through, when Markus started to struggle with low energy and some nausea. We fought our way to the finish and made the most of the course.

I’d like to go back again. I think I can race well there, as it’s technical and tough running and a route that should suit me. The timing is a little tricky, so I’m not sure when I’ll return, but I will.

SwimRunMan Laffrey

V and I have been racing together at least once a season for the past few years. I love doing these races with her as we get to share some training, share a goal, and race together as a team.

We had a great day out on a fun route. I’m already thinking about what adventure we’ll share next year.

ÖTILLÖ World Championships

This was the big goal for the year. Donato and I made a great team, and we knew that if we could perform well, we’d have a good shot at a strong position and a solid time on the course.

We started really well, but a fall early in the race left Donato with a damaged knee, so we had to manage our efforts. We did our best, finished, and learnt a lot for the future.

I’d love to go back, but I think I need more time and experience before taking on this course again.

Summary

I felt like I had good fitness this year. When I was able to express that fitness and perform to the level of my ability, I achieved some good results.

I was proud to win in Engadin and to run a respectable time in Geneva.

I’ve still got work to do figuring out team dynamics in swimrun. Next year, I’m planning a similar season, without the World Championships, to keep learning and improving.

I’ll definitely keep the focus on swimrun. It’s a fantastic sport, and I love the challenge and adventure it brings.

ÖTILLÖ World Championships - Sweden - 2024 - 11th

2024-09-02T15:11:00.008+02:00

Last year, I joined Markus to race at the World Championships. I had a tough day when I fell and had to withdraw at halfway. I knew I wanted to go back and I was really pleased to race with Donato who knows the Swedish terrain and was in great shape. We made a conservative plan, but also had expectations of being able to race up near the front.

We started well on the first run by pushing the pace a little to follow the leaders and to set ourselves up for a good first swim. The pace was higher than I would have liked, but experience from last year and knowing that the run was short meant I was happy to push. In the first swim, we were positioned well and stuck in the group follwoing the fastest feet.

When we arrived on the second island we were ready to go and felt positive after having already completed the longest swim of the day. As always, it was really slippery on the wet rocks and we struggled to find good purchase with our shoes and we both slipped and feel a few times. The good news was that we were running well and felt good. Unfortunately, just before the next water entry Donato slipped and smacked his bent knee directly into a crevice in a rock. His knee immedieately split open and there was a lot of blood. We didn't pause or think too much, but kept moving and got straight into the water.

On the next island, as we started running, Donato could really feel his knee and he had lost a lot of mobility. Rather than numbing some of the pain, the cold water had reduced his range of motion making it hard to run. He valiantly put one foot in front of another and after ten minutes he loosened up and was good to go again. This pattern would repeat throughout the day: a good swim, then ten to fifteen minutes to get going into a good pace again, and then some good running.

Donato was doing everything he could and that meant there were some great sections where he felt good and I was just trying my best to follow him on the runs, but there were also sections where he struggled and we had to walk or adjust our pace. Anywhere with smooth, runnable terrain didn't cause any problems and he was flying, but anywhere even a little technical changed the pressure and demands on his knee and he had to slow.

On Runmaro heading into approximately halfway, I thought we might end up stopping where I had stopped the previous year. Even though Donato was running well, there was a lot of blood, and after a few swims we even had to stop a moment to let him recover. At the aid station, he saw the medic, cleaned up some of the blood, bandaged his knee, and committed to continue. It was very brave.

With a realisation that we wouldn't be able to race as hard as we had planned, we settled into a new goal of finishing the best we could. I was so impressed with Donato and his courage. At some points he was doing some power-walking through technical terrain with a knee that he struggled to bend. At other points he was running so fast I was struggling to keep up!

We finished as well as we could and were extremely proud of what we managed to achieve despite the challenges of day. Donato saw the doctor and returned home to Stockholm for some stitches and a chance to sleep in his own bed. (He made a full recovery and is back to racing again).

I learned some important lessons during the race. First, anything can happen in this race so you have to be careful, accept what happens on the day, and adapt to the conditions. Second, I struggled to carry all the nutrition I wanted with me and I need to find a better solution for the future. Finally, the varying paces throughout the day were tough for me and I need to be prepared for these variations with specific training.

I would love to go back to the World Championships again, but for now, I want to focus on the shorter world series races to build the skills I need to race well there.

At the exit of the first swim.

An easier exit and ready to run!

The early transitions went well.

At the finish.

Race result

2 September 2024
70.1km (9.3km swim ; 60.8km run)
9:26:29
11th

SwimRunMan Laffrey - France - 2024 - 3rd

2024-08-26T18:08:00.000+02:00

Written by V!

Daniel and I entered the Sprint distance of the Grand Lacs de Laffrey SwimRunMan event, which had 2.8km of swimming and 12.3km of running. On race day the weather was ideal, the water was warm, and the route was beautiful – perfect conditions for a great race, if only my fitness was up to scratch. In the end, I was ready for about 11.5 out of the 13 stages…

We started at a conservative pace as we are wary of the “sprint starters” as we call them – people who race off at the sound of the gun at a pace they cannot maintain and which messes up everyone else’s race plans as they struggle to keep up and tire themselves out quickly. True to form, we entered the first swim in the second half of the pack, but Daniel’s extraordinary swimming pulled us through to the front half and we maintained a fairly steady pace for most of the rest of the race.

The route is very runnable with gentle up- and downhills in the forest trails, although there is some technical terrain with roots and rocks. The swims are straightforward – all between 400–600m in distance – and well-marked. With Daniel pulling and me just about keeping up, we managed our nutrition well and made good progress for the first 12.5km of the race.

We were overtaken near the top of the ascent halfway through the penultimate run when I hit my “wall” and I just couldn’t turn my legs over quickly enough to keep the pair in sight. Daniel did his best to get into a slipstream in the final swim, but I imagine it was like pulling a deadweight as my arms were ticking over in slow motion. The funniest part (in hindsight) was Daniel’s intention to sprint the final 400m to the finish line which was thwarted by my squeal of dismay as he yanked me out of the water and he had to slow down to match my shuffle!

Overall I was really proud of my efforts and always grateful to Daniel for partnering me and helping me around the course. We finished 6th overall and 3rd in the mixed category; it was fun to get on the podium and win some artisanal beer. The SwimRunMan events are always well organised with local dignitaries to present the locally-produced prizes and I’m sure we’ll be back for another event soon.

Very happy to be finished!

Race result

25 August 2024
15.5km (2.6km swim, 12.9km run)
279m
2:13:21
3rd

Rockman - Norway - 2024 - 12th

2024-07-15T19:46:00.000+02:00

It all began on a Tuesday week when Markus called me with an unexpected invitation. I initially thought he wanted to race together in Gothenburg a few weeks later. Instead, he asked if I would join him for one of the hardest swimrun races in the world: Rockman! “I don’t know anyone else who is crazy enough to make this happen,” he said. Challenge accepted! I booked my flights to Norway and prepared for an adventure.

Rockman is renowned for its stunning scenery in the fjords, but also for its grueling challenges. The race features a notorious climb during the final section of the race and tough, technical terrain that tests even the most seasoned athletes. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the event, and they had secured permission to return to the original course, making it longer and tougher than in recent years.

Upon arriving at the visitor center near the start, I was completely blown away by the breathtaking beauty surrounding me. It looked just like the stunning pictures I had seen of the fjords. The atmosphere was great and the competitors buzzed with excitement and nerves. My limited time to research the race and area left me feeling a bit naive, but in a good way, adding to my anticipation.

As we began the first run, Markus and I positioned ourselves near the front of the pack, ready to enter the swim alongside some of the faster teams. We were moving well together and found ourselves swimming in second place, maintaining a solid pace. The water temperature was surprisingly comfortable — much warmer than I had expected - and our teamwork was seamless. However, during the second run, we missed a crucial marking and veered off course. This setback ignited a fire within me, and from that moment on, we were determined to chase down our competitors.

As we made our way up to Preikestolen, we steadily passed team after team. Markus and I established a strong rhythm, navigating through the challenging rocky terrain with confidence. I felt fantastic during the swims, overtaking nearly everyone ahead of us and reaching the bottom of the Flørli stairs in the top three.

However, as we continued, Markus began to struggle with low energy and occasional dizziness. Despite his discomfort, he pressed on. The final run stretched nearly 21 kilometers making it the longest run of the day. We managed our pace carefully through this long run and ended up hiking a lot, but ultimately we crossed the finish line together. I was proud of Markus for pushing through despite his challenges. In this team sport, he has guided me so much on my journey as a swimrun athlete and I was happy to support him in return when he needed it.

Once I returned home and reviewed all the photos from our adventure, I realized just how fortunate we were with the weather and how much of the fjord’s beauty we had experienced. Rockman is not just a race; it’s an incredible adventure. I can’t wait for another opportunity to return!

Early in the race catching up some teams after we were lost.

Cruising up to the Preikestolen.

On our way up a climb and over to the Kjeragbolten.

The final descent.

Almost there!

Post race.

Race result

13 July 2024
51km (6km swim; 45km run)
3500m
13:07:32
12th

ÖTILLÖ Engadin - Switzerland - 2024 - 1st

2024-06-30T18:28:00.086+02:00

Last year Engadin was my first World Series race ever and it went really well! I loved the course and the experience and wanted to go back again this year. The race in Engadin was the first ÖTILLÖ race outside Sweden and it brings some different challenges to the races in the archipelago: it is at altitude, there are big climbs and descents, and there is a big contrast between the cold alpine water and the hot temperatures on the runs. I knew that with good preparation and the "home" advantage of racing in Switzerland there was a chance I could do a great race.

This year the race format was slightly different as some of the swims were shortened due to the low water temperatures and the team and solo categories started separately (with solo athletes starting 5' after the teams). In the solo category, the athletes started at a reasonable pace and the first run and swim were quite controlled. I chose to follow the feet of the first swimmer and I felt very comfortable at that pace. So on the second run I picked up the pace and started pushing into the lead of the solo category. With some team athletes already in view ahead of me, I began the process of chasing down as many of the teams as I could.

With the speed I was racing and the different start times making the first teams I caught at the back of the team race, there wasn't any chance for me to draft off other racers or follow in the swims. I was setting my own pace from the second run and kept that up until the end of the race. Fortunately, this meant I could pace myself consistently and also that I was catching and passing friends in the team race. I enjoyed seeing lots of people out on the course and it felt fun to pass other athletes even if they were in a different race. Compared to last year, I was more steady in my pacing and I wasn't pushing myself as hard I did in 2023. This year was also slightly different as Vanessa was able to get out on the course and cheer from quite a few spots so I saw her plenty of times and also heard splits for where I was in the field.

I managed to stay in the lead of the solo category for the whole race and caught all but the first three teams. It was a great day and I had an awesome time in the Engadin mountains and lakes. I love this race and feel that it suits my strengths and that I can perform well here. I think I may return again next year, but maybe in a team. It's a perfect spot to start the summer racing and I always come away from Graubunden feeling positive and happy.

Off to a fast start.

By swim 4, I was already on my own and chasing the teams.

Close to half-way through the race.

The exit of the longest swim at camping Maloja.

A great day and a great result!

Race result

29 June 2024
43,4km (5.8km swim ; 37.6km run)
1280m
5:02:16
1st

ÖTILLÖ Utö - Sweden - 2024 - 5th

2024-06-09T18:18:00.038+02:00

In the last year I've been to Sweden to race swimrun events three times. My first trip went very well with good races in the ExSwimRun SuperSprint and then the ExSwimRun Long which I did with Markus. Next, V and I did the OTILLO Sprint at Gothenburg which was amazing. My last trip of the year was for the OTILLO World Championships which didn't go so well as I fell and injured myself and Markus and I had to stop the race. I wanted to return to race in the Stockholm archipelago to redeem myself from last year's race and to learn the terrain and islands better. I teamed up with Donato, who I will be racing the World Championships with in September, for our first race together.

Donato and I had only met briefly once before, but he looked after me like a king! I stayed with him, we did some great training sessions around Stockholm to prepare as a team, and he handled all the logistics and planning for the weekend. This made it very easy for me and a chance to just race and do the best I could on race day.

We arrived in Uto on Friday evening and settled into a cabin on the island right near the start of the race. This was a perfect location to be as it is both the start of the race, a mid-point aid station during the race, the finish, and the finish for the World Championships. Donato and I had a quiet evening and chatted about our race plans and how we wanted to execute the race.

On race morning, we joined a few other athletes for breakfast at the lodge and then prepared our gear. After a short warm-up and catching up with competitors, it was time to start. The first run was very fast and far higher intensity than we could maintain for the day. We decided to go with the pace so we would have teams to race with during the first swim. We entered the swim with the leading teams, but as we weren't allowed to use a tether on this swim, we settled into the second group as this matched our pace and ability on the day. We held a good position through the second run and second swim, and then on the third run we let Alexis and Nicolas go as they were running more strongly than us. From there we settled into a pace and were on our own the whole day.

For the rest of the race, I lead the swims and technical sections of the runs, while Donato pulled on the single track and gravel roads and lead through the short and technical swims. We made a good team and our progress was consistent and strong. We were really pleased to finish well and arrive in fifth place.

As a trial for racing together later in the year we had a successful day. I felt much happier on the technical entries and exits to the swims and together we raced effectively and complemented each other. I'm looking forward to racing with Donato again soon.

At the start and ready for the race.

Early in the race before we could tether together.

Swim 2.

A great first experience together as a team.

Very happy to be finished!

Race result

8 June 2024
32,4km (5.4km swim ; 27.0km run)
460m
3:52:29
5th

Geneva Marathon - Switzerland - 2024 - 32nd

2024-05-06T20:22:00.057+02:00

The Geneva Marathon was my first marathon ever and also my first race of the year. I wanted to have a goal to train for over the winter that focused on improving my speed and that I could train for easily on the roads and along the lake. I planned to run a 10km in March which I did in the last few years (2022, 2023), but I was sick that week and had to miss it making this was my first race of the year. Overall, my training went well and I was excited to start the season. You can see my last eight weeks of training here.

On race morning it was warm enough (13C), but wet and a little windy. I started out at my goal race pace for perfect conditions (3:47/km), but realised at just before 10km that it was too hard given the conditions and how much effort I was putting in. I adjusted to next aspect of my race plan of keeping heart rate below an upper limit (155bpm) that I knew was sustainable. This kept me in a group of runners until about 30km. There was some variation between each member of the group with runners pulling ahead or falling behind and returning, but I was happy to hold my effort and use the others to shield from the wind when possible.

From around 30km a few of the runners in the group pushed ahead and I decided to maintain my effort and let them go. I focused on running smoothly and staying positive. I could feel my quads starting to get sore, but it wasn't impacting my pace. The route from 33km to the finish was the best part of the course as it ran along the lake and through the city. I was tired and sore, but managed to focus on holding the best pace I could and slowing down as little as possible. I passed a few runners during this section and no one else passed me so I knew I was not fading too badly.

The finish at the end of the Pont de Mont Blanc was fantastic as there were so many people on the bridge cheering. I also thought the finish was a little further on in the Jardin Anglais so it was a relief to see the finish line so soon. I was very happy with my result and how I managed my race. I felt like I made good decisions during the race and that I got the most out of myself on the day. Nevertheless, I think I can go faster and as soon as my legs top hurting I'll look into what marathons could be next. For now, it's time to focus on swimrun events this summer.

At around 22km.

At about 35km.

Race result

5 May 2024
42km
2:41:32
32nd

2023 Running season recap and lessons

2023-12-13T17:29:00.001+01:00

In 2021, I shared an extensive season review that outlined my goals for the upcoming season. These included participating in short, early-season races, optimizing my in-season training, and meticulously preparing for the specific environmental factors in races. Successfully addressing some of these objectives in 2022, my review for that year emphasized my satisfaction with improved performance in short races and swimrun events. After considering my progress over the previous two years, I set about planning for the 2023 season. The plan for the year included shorter races to begin the season, it incorporated new and more challenging swimrun competitions, and I limited myself to only a couple of ultramarathons to manage overall physical demand.

Early season preparatory races

During the winter, I engaged in intensive training sessions, strategically incorporating shorter races to help maintain my speed and motivation during the base training phase. I opted to compete in some 5km to 10km races, which would help me to prioritise track training sessions without compromising the consistency and volume in my overall training plan.

XC Riviera

Despite usually being in the middle of base training during cross-country race season, I always try to fit in some cross country races because they are so much fun. XC Riviera, just a few kilometers from home, was the easiest to include this yar. I chose the shortest distance, ran it at the end of a long week of training, and came in second. The competition wasn't very deep, but I still enjoyed the fact that I came second in the Championnat Vaudois!

Payerne 10km

In the 2022 race, I set out to support my goal of running some shorter, faster races at the beginning of the season. I had not expected such a competitive field in 2022, but I was pleasantly surprised by the event's intensity. This year, armed with better preparation, my goal was to run faster than my previous year's performance, which I managed to do by running almost a minute faster. The timing and competition of this event mean that it fits into my early season well, and I plan to participate again in 2024 with the aim of achieving an even faster time.

Traine-Savates 5km

After the 10km race in Payerne, I wanter to run another fast road race and I found Traine-Savates on the calendar. Despite challenging weather conditions and an unexpectedly demanding route, the race unfolded with me running alongside another athlete for the first four kilometers. While I wasn't as strong as I needed to be on a hill in the final kilometer when he pulled away, the race provided invaluable lessons for my future preparations. Additionally, receiving a substantial prize hamper, including local products, added to the overall positive experience.

Payerne 10km.

Trail races

The focus of my trail racing season was on shorter races, an ultramarathon in the Engadin valley, and the Wildstrubel 70km. During the season I had a couple of setbacks such as adjusting my expectations at the Engadin Ultra Trail and an injury preventing participation in the Wildstrubel race. Nevertheless, the season was enjoyable and successful and the races I did compete in solidified my preference for shorter trail races over ultramarathons in the coming years.

Saillon-Ovronnaz

Another revisit from 2022 (race report here), the Saillon race served as a testing ground for my early-season form. Achieving sufficient vertical gain in winter training can be challenging, but this race provided the necessary motivation and a familiar training route in the weeks leading up to the race. Running a steady threshold effort, I felt consistently strong, showing some progress compared to 2022 and setting a positive tone for the upcoming trail races.

Jura Swiss Trail

Running in the Jura during autumn and spring has always been some of my favorite times of the season. The more rolling and runnable trails, compared to the steep terrain in the Alps, make for a slightly different stimulus which I enjoy. After a surprisingly hard start and some initial doubts about my preparation on the first climb, I gradually regained momentum along the top section of the course and on the second climb, and ultimately I finished strongly. The final descent turned into a sprint, as I almost caught 2nd place who I could see for the last 10 to 15 minutes of the race. It was a lot of fun and a strong time on that route.

Bernina Ultraks Steinbock

This was a fun race that V and I did together in our first week in the Engadin valley. It was a chance to adapt a bit more to the altitude and to see a new place (Pontresina). We had a great time and enjoyed the route a lot on a beautiful day.

Engadin Trail

Initially planning to participate in the 55km ultramarathon, I adjusted to a shorter race due to sore legs after ÖTILLÖ Engadin. Although I wasn't in peak condition, I pushed hard and savored the route, which had been obscured by clouds and fog during my reconnaissance. I loved going all out and had a great time.

Sierre-Zinal

This is a race I have wanted to do for a long time. With our trip to the Engadin valley in the summer and an ultramarathon planned for September, this was the first year that it would fit in the calendar and it was the 50th anniversary of the race which made it even more special. Sierre Zinal lived up to everything I have ever heard about it: it was super hard, the route was spectacular, and there was so many people out on the trail cheering and supporting. I had a smile all day long and loved it. I plan to go back every year!

Jura Swiss Trail.

Sierre-Zinal.

Swimrun races

In my second season of swimrun races, I aimed to challenge myself against top athletes. I decided to go to Sweden to race ExSwimRun and to take on ÖTILLÖ Engadin in the World Series category. The other races that came up during the year were organic opportunities to race more. This season progressed so well from my introduction to the sport in 2022, I had such good times and experiences, that now swimrun races will be my primary goals for 2024.

SuperSprint by ExSwimRun

To up my game in swimrun races, I competed in the Supersprint event against strong seasoned athletes. The format and hard, fast racing were amazing. Although pleased with my performance, I learned valuable lessons about pacing over the three races.

ExLong by ExSwimRun

The day after Supersprint, Markus and I raced ExLong together. Racing with a partner other than V for the first time, we had a good day, pushing ourselves hard and securing second place.

ÖTILLÖ Engadin

This ÖTILLÖ race was one of my main priorities for the season. The race suited me with a higher percentage of running to swimming, with technical trails and climbs, and that it would be at altitude. V and I spent a couple of weeks in the area prior to the race and I was able to learn the route and adapt well to the altitude. I had a fantastic race and did one of my best performances of the season here. I was very happy to be with the leading athletes throughout the day and to win the men's solo category. I was invited to return in 2024 and I will be going back and planning to go even faster.

ÖTILLÖ Gothenburg

V and I decided to participate in Gothenburg after a canceled race in France. Racing in the archipelago with tough entries and exits into the sea and cold water, it was challenging but fun. As a team we did a great job and we were consistent in our pacing and pushing all the way to the finish. This was another great experience and racing together in new places is something we want to do again next year.

ÖTILLÖ World Championships

Going to the World Championships was a long-term goal that was just small spark in my mind. When Markus asked me to join him it was an instant and very easy decision to say yes. I enjoyed the whole event and it exceeded all the expectations that I had. Unfortunately during the race I fell and injured myself which caused us to stop the race. Even though my race didn't go the way I hoped, this is the number one race I want to do again and I plan to get back as soon as possible.

ExSwimRun SuperSprint.

OtillO Engadin.

OtillO World Championships.

Overall, I am pleased with my season and the progress made in swimrun races. With six podium results in 13 races, I competed at my best. Iconic races like Sierre Zinal and the ÖTILLÖ World Championships were amazing experiences. While I would have liked to end the season on a stronger note, I accept that sports involve risks, and my willingness to take chances means there will be inevitable setbacks. Looking back on this season makes me proud, and I am excited about the improvements and focused racing plan I have for next year.

Next year I have some improvements to make and a plan to race with more focus. In terms of improvement, I still need to find the right approach to transition from my base training and winter routine into a more consistent and progressive racing season routine. I would also like to improve my speed on longer, flat races and take that to swimrun events and Sierre Zinal in 2024. I will focus on running a road marathon in spring, some ÖTILLÖ world series races in the summer, and then hopefully have Sierre Zinal and the ÖTILLÖ World Championships as my biggest goals for the year.

Thanks to HRV4Training

This year I represented HRV4Training again. I'm grateful for all the support and encouragement Marco and Ale give me and I love being part of their team. I have been measuring my HRV every morning for years now and it's a daily routine that I never miss. I find the data and advice from the app to be a reassuring and useful tool that can help me make good decisions in my training. I will be representing HRV4Training in 2024 and I hope to be able to stand on some podiums again in my HRV4Training gear.

ÖTILLÖ World Championships - Sweden - 2023 - DNF

2023-09-26T13:18:00.002+02:00

I'm not going to write much about my race because it ended badly. On the second swim entry I slipped and fell directly on the rocks on my lower back and coccyx. There wasn't anything I could do at the time so we just started the swim and kept going. A few hours later the pain had increased and I was struggling with shooting pain through my lower back and upper legs with every step. I tried my best, but couldn't keep going and we had to abandon the race. It definitely wasn't the day I hoped for.

Most of the races I do are individual and this race was in a team with my friend Markus. I couldn't have asked for a better partner as he has so much experience at this race and in swimrun races in general. Markus has helped me learn more about swimrun and to become a better athlete. He was kind and supportive and looked after me the whole trip and especially after I fell. In addition, we had some amazing support from Dryrobe (Dryrobes, packs, a team following us, and entry into the race), Orca (suits and goggles), and Saucony (shoes). Even though everyone has been very supportive, it still feels tough that we stopped and didn't show what we were capable of on the day. Hopefully we can have a better showing in the near future to return that belief and confidence we received going into the race.

Despite having a bad day, I was absolutely blown away by this race! It is amazing and an experience that is unique. The environment, race route, support from locals, and competition is on another level. The photos and video below can give a little insight into what this day is like, but I think you have to be there to truly understand swimrun and ÖTILLÖ. Going back and have my best possible race there is my number one sporting priority right now. I loved it that much!

An early start to the day (photo: Chris Egner).

The boat from Djurönäset to the start (photo: Nick Rees).

Team Dryrobe (photo: Chris Egner).

The start is in Sandhamn (photo: Chris Egner).

Team Dryrobe on our way to the start (photo: Nick Rees).

There were lots of technical water entries and exits.

Early in the day after the first couple of swims (photo: Nick Rees).

Heading onto the islands and into the forests (photo: Nick Rees).

Every swim entry was slippery and tricky (photo: Nick Rees).

A little bit of rope climbing to get down to the beach.

Looking for the buoys and markers on the next island.

It was chaotic at times, with lots of teams around.

Reflecting on a tough day (photo: Chris Egner).

Dryrobe produced this video about the race and shared a little about our day out there.

Here's my Strava file of what we actually did on the day... a little short unfortunately.

Sierre-Zinal - Switzerland - 2023 - 123rd

2023-09-13T15:09:00.002+02:00

Sierre Zinal is an iconic Swiss race. It is a special race as the competition is always steep, the route is extremely demanding, and everyone in Valais knows it and expects trail runners to have done it at some point in their lives. In the past I have run on the route during altitude training camps in Chandolin, but I had never run the race as it falls right in the middle of the season and amongst other races I've prioritized in August.

This year was the 50th anniversary of the race and a big celebration of the event. Fortunately for me, my other goal races of the year meant I could make it and run my first participation. Having run on the route before, I knew that it requires specific preparation to run well there. I tried my best to fit in some of the types of sessions I thought would prepare me well, but didn't quite find the right blend with the other training I was doing for my race goals in September (Otillo and Wildstrubel). Nevertheless, I was super excited to experience the race and learn more about it.

On race morning the atmosphere was more like a big city marathon than a trail race in Valais! There were so many runners there and it was quite chaotic around Sierre and getting to the start. Everyone was really excited before we even set off. It was a very hot day (my watch said 34C at the start) and I was sweating already as I stood in the start box. When the gun went off that stopped being a worry and I just fought amongst all the other runners to find a good place and settle into my pace before the single track.

The climb from the start to Ponchette is long and tough. It accounts for more than half of the races elevation gain in just the first 10km. I settled into a good threshold effort (around 160bpm) and kept a steady pace running and power-hiking up the climb. I think I was more consistent in my pacing than a lot of people around me as I gradually moved up the field going up the climb.

From Ponchette through Chandolin and Tignousa and until Hotel Weisshorn I knew the route well from running it a lot in the past. I was able to keep a consistent pace, run almost all the little climbs, and I didn't feel the altitude too much. I was having a great time and enjoying seeing the people and also enjoying the feeling of running quite fast on the trails I know. The Fribourg crowd at Hotel Weisshorn was amazing and something I've never experienced in a trail race before.

From Hotel Weisshorn and along the top of the course it's super runnable and fast. This section felt longer than I remembered and I felt like I was lacking a little in speed to execute a great race. I was moving well, and still progressing through the field, but I could definitely run faster in the future. The final descent is a relatively short section of the race and I had been warned that it was tough, but I felt good there and was moving well and still overtaking some runners. Nevertheless there were some athletes throwing themselves down the hill and really giving it everything which made me realize I could probably go harder too.

I was really pleased with how I managed my race even though I was slower than I hoped (I was aiming for 3h00 and finished in 3h19). I couldn't stop smiling at the finish and just soaked up the crowds and the ambiance in Zinal. It was a fantastic day and the race delivered everything that was promised!

I will definitely be going back (hopefully many times) and I'm already thinking of the things I can do better next year. Sierre Zinal is really special!!

Running along the top section of the course.

It was a beautiful day for the race with perfect weather.

I felt like I was smiling all day long - what a cool event!

Zinal in the distance.

The atmosphere near Hotel Weisshorn was incredible - so much noise and excitement.

Race result

12 July 2023
31km
2200m
3:19:03
123rd

ÖTILLÖ Gothenburg Sprint - Sweden - 2023 - 4th

2023-08-11T17:28:00.003+02:00

Written by V!

Accompanied by a rare east wind that made for calm waters in the archipelago islands off the coast of Gothenburg, we set off on our first Mixed Team Sprint, covering 16 swims and 17 runs over 17.5km. It was an incredible experience!

The first run was 3.2km and we settled into a steady pace as we ran up out of Styrsö Bratten. As the field thinned, we attached the tether and Daniel pulled me along some forest trails and over the classic archipelago rocks. There was a bit of a bottle neck near the first swim as the trail narrowed to some stepping stones along the coast, and we had to be patient as some participants in front of us struggled with the technical terrain.

Our first swim entry was an exciting jump into the balmy North Sea, and we had a section of five quick 200m runs and swims. Our transitions were pretty smooth, although we did some slipping and sliding over the wet rocks to get in and out of the water. There is nothing you can do to prevent that!

By the seventh leg we were lying in 12th place and we had a nice 850m run to pick up the pace and take in some of the scenery. As we clambered over the rocks, we passed several Swedish red wooden cabins typical of the area. Things started to heat up in the next few swims as we were stung by the lion’s mane jellyfish that infest the ocean around the islands. These are harmless, but their stings pack a punch, and unfortunately I caught one in the face during one of the early swims and we both picked up stings on our arms and legs.

The swim legs were generally our strength, though. Daniel swam some great lines and we overtook several teams on the longer sections. The tether was perfectly measured and we were able to coordinate the difficult entries and exits, which included jumping off jetties, climbing up ladders, launching off rocks, and wading over shallow waters concealing treacherous footing. I had to deal with lots of seaweed on the tow rope at the exits, but fortunately, no jellyfish joined us for a ride!

We filled up with water at the aid station in Kårholmen on the way out and back, and we managed our race fuel well with gels on the longer runs. At times it was hard to see the course markers, as there was not always an actual path to follow over the rocks. Daniel did an amazing job keeping us on track, and we made the most of the sections on the boardwalks and trails. There was a particularly fun section near the end which had four quick swims and runs of 25m – 25m – 15m – 35m. The islands here were just chunks of rock sticking out of the sea and there were no markings at all. It was a good part of the adventure!

The rest of the course was lined with spectators and we were cheered on our way at every point. It was really encouraging to see so many people out on the islands supporting the race. The last leg was a 2.65km run on Styrsö and we set a fast pace all the way to the finish. We crossed the line in an unbelievable fourth place in 3.03.50. It was a fantastic first team Sprint and we are looking forward to racing together in the future.

Race route #1.

Race route #2.

At the finish after an amazing day!

Race result

6 August 2023
17.5km (13.8km run, 3.7km swim)
122m
3:03:50
4th

Engadin Trail 16km - Switzerland - 2023 - 3rd

2023-07-24T08:24:00.002+02:00

I had planned three races for our trip to the Engadin valley: Bernina Ultraks with V, ÖtillÖ Engadin World Series, and the Engadin Ultra Trail race. My intention was to run the 53km race at the Engadin Ultra Trail, however, after ÖtillÖ I wasn't able to recover as quickly as I hoped and I realized it wouldn't be a good idea to race another five hour race so soon. Fortunately I was able to change to the 16km race which meant I could do a shorter, more intense session which would require less recovery and would set me up well for the coming races in August and September.

My race plan was simple: run a threshold effort on the climb and then run down to the descent as fast as possible. From the start two runners went ahead and were too strong for me to follow. A third runner was just ahead and I kept my eyes on him while making sure not to push too hard. Gradually as the climb went on I caught third place (Jonas - a local favorite that all people on the trail were cheering for). Jonas tried to stick with me for about 15', but the pace was too much for him and he settled into his own rhythm falling back a few hundred meters. I ran consistently over the climb and onto the top section of trail which had incredible views down to Samedan, across to Muattas Muragl, and down to Celerina and St Moritz. It was a spectacular route!

On the descent I ran a strong effort and made sure that anyone trying to catch me would have to run a very fast pace to catch up. I felt good although I could still feel some fatigue and heaviness in my quadreceps from the previous week. The decision to change to the 16km was definitely right. All the way down to the finish I was passing runners from the other courses and that helped encourage me to keep pushing. I was happy to finish on the podium and to complete an amazing three weeks in the Engadin. I would love to come back and do some more of the Engadin Ultra races in the future.

Making my way up the climb out of Samedan.

On the trail near the high point of the race.

At the finish.

3rd place.

Race result

15 July 2023
16.3km
791m
1:26:04
3rd

ÖTILLÖ Engadin World Series - Switzerland - 2023 - 1st

2023-07-12T10:10:00.003+02:00

On Saturday I raced in my first ÖTILLÖ World Series race. I have been slowly building up to this with the SwimRunMan races in France last year (Verdon, Vassiviere, Laffrey) and ExSwimRun in Sweden in May. I was really excited about the Engadin race because the percentage of running was slightly higher than usual, the race is at altitude, and there are some tough climbs on the trails. I thought all of those factors would suit me and give me a chance to compete with the other more experienced swimrun athletes.

It was a perfect day for racing with a calm morning, still lakes, and some sun for a warm, but not too hot day. I had a race plan of pacing myself through the first three runs and swims, then making sure I ate enough and drank enough (nutrition and hydration are a challenge in swimrun races) in the middle part of the race, and finally pushing on the more technical trails towards the end. As expected, the race started with a chaotic and fast first run. I settled into position behind the first few teams and a few solo athletes and let them set the pace and do the work sighting and finding the route.

At the first aid station I was the only person who stopped and a couple of racers passed me. I wasn't worried and knew that being smart and keeping my energy levels up would help later in the race. The fourth run was the longest of the day at just under 10km and with 300m of climbing. As the trail went up I could see the athletes ahead of me and I passed by quite a few as I ran up the steepest parts of the trail. By the next swim I was just behind the leading team and in second place in the solo category. I held this position through swim 4, run 5, and swim 5.

During the next run up a steep climb to an alpage with a view down to the lakes, I overtook the leading team and caught the leader in the solo division (Alexis Charrier). Alexis and I ran the long descent together and just before the next swim I stopped at an aid station that he ran through. This pause opened a small gap and also three teams came up close behind me. In the first 200m of the next swim the three teams came up to me at a strong pace and I joined this paceline to give myself an easier swim and make the most of the drafting benefit. The three teams, Alexis and I all exited the swim together in Maloja.

On this climb out of the Maloja camping and during the technical descent back to Isola, Matthieu and Thomas (Team ARK) made a push to take the lead. This spread out all the teams and solo athletes. I realized that this would be a good chance to make a move on Alexis if I could catch Matthieu and Thomas by the next swim and then swim with them from Isola to Chaste. I caught them with a few hundred meters to go before the swim and in the swim followed their feet which opened a small gap on Alexis and gave me an easier swim.

With two more swims and three more runs I knew I had to do the best effort I could to hold on to my position. I knew the course from some reconnaissance earlier in the week and paced myself to achieve the best that I could over those final sections. Matthieu and Thomas were running faster than me so I was on my own all the way to the finish. On the last swim the World Series route joined the Sprint route and there were a lot of athletes in the lake and on the trails around me. It felt good to move past them (even though they were in a different race) and I pushed all the way to the finish.

At the finish V was waiting and cheering for me and it was a perfect end to the race! I was very happy with how I raced, the consistent effort I made, and how I managed my tactics and position to do the best race I could. The route was beautiful and challenging and everything I love about swimrun. I think we'll be back next year!

Exiting the water after the first swim of the day.

Run 4 was the longest of the day with a climb up to a cable car station and a long descent back to the lake.

Finished after just under 5 hours on the trails and in the lakes.

On the podium.

While I was racing in the World Series, Vanessa did the Experience event in the solo category. This was her second swimrun race after we did the Experience race in Cannes as a team together last year. She finished in 1:18 which was ahead of her goal time and resulted in a 7th place finish. It was a big step up for V to race alone and she did great!

V completed her first solo race in the Experience distance (5.7km running, 1.4km swimming).

Race result

8 July 2023
43.4km (37.5km run, 5.9km swim)
1280m
4:56:53
1st

Bernina Ultraks Steinbock - Switzerland - 2023

2023-07-05T16:35:00.003+02:00

Vanessa and I are staying in the Engadin valley for three weeks this summer. It's a holiday in the mountains and we have a series of races planned while we're here. The first was the Bernina Ultraks Steinbock race which we ran together. Our goal was to run a steady effort, acclimatise to the altitude, and to have a fun day in the mountains.

We had a fantastic time on the trails. The race route was spectacular and the views down to the villages and up the to glaciers were breathtaking. The first climb up to the panorama trail was tough and we felt the atltitude, but once we got on to that rolling trail we settled into a good pace. We ran well all the way up to the high point of the course and then cruised down on the technical trails to the finish.

It was an amazing day out and I was so proud of the way V ran to take on this challenge. A perfect start to our series of races in the Engadin!

Climbing up from Pontresina.

An amazing view down to St Moritz.

More amazing views!

Happy runners.

Thanks to Roberto for the support out there.

Race result

1 July 2023
16.3km
870m
2:52:56

ARK ExLong by ExSwimRun - Sweden - 2023 - 2nd

2023-06-25T06:53:00.000+02:00

When I decided to race the SuperSprint event at ExSwimRun I sent a message to my friend Markus to get his advice. He lives in Stockholm near the race venue and has been doing swimrun races for a decade including multiple world championship events. After a useful discussion on the course and tactics he suggested that we team up for the ExLong race the day after the SuperSprint. I've only raced in a team once before (with V at ÖTILLÖ Cannes) so I was excited to have a partner with plenty of experience to learn more and of course to enjoy the race together.

Leading up to the event Markus wasn't able to do as much training as he would have liked, but I knew his experience and course knowledge would more than make up for that. We planned a strategy of a steady pace with me leading for the first sections and then changing who would lead depending on how we both felt in the race. On the race day it was a little cool, but another beautiful sunny day at Eksviden lake and there were plenty of excited racers ready to enjoy the event. We started in the last wave which meant we were chasing all the other athletes who had started before us.

The race was so much fun! There were plenty of short swim and run sections making it a technical event with loads of changes in activity. Markus and I worked well as a team and I pushed him hard by stretching out the tow line quite a few times on the slight inclines on the run sections. Our first few entries and exits from the water were not super smooth, but as we settled into a rhythm and figured out where the tow line was we improved over the course of the race. I loved the race route and kept thinking about how amazing it was to be doing a swimrun race in Sweden through terrain like I had seen in all the videos of the biggest races.

Overall, we kept a consistent effort and most of the day we were passing other teams along the route (because we started in the last wave and because there were multiple distances using different parts of the course). We didn't know what position we were in so it was great news to learn that we had finished second in the men's team category. I really enjoyed the entire experience of racing somewhere new, racing in a team with Markus, and my first trip to Sweden. I can't wait to go back.

At the start.

On the first run and just getting the day started.

Our transitions could have been better!

It was a perfect day for racing and an amazing venue.

Pushing on the last run to the finish.

At the finish.

2nd place.

Race result

28 May 2023
22km (18km run, 4.5km swim)
2:40:07
2nd

Daniel Rowland

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ÖTILLÖ Åland Experience - Åland - 2025 - 1st

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ÖTILLÖ Åland World Series - Åland - 2025 - 2nd

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ÖTILLÖ Engadin - Switzerland - 2025 - 3rd

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ÖTILLÖ Utö - Sweden - 2025 - 2nd

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Zurich half-marathon - Switzerland - 2025 - 1:17:17

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Near the start and just getting going. Navigating traffic while heading into the finish.

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5km Payerne - Switzerland - 2025

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2024 Running season recap and lessons

Summary

ÖTILLÖ World Championships - Sweden - 2024 - 11th

Race result

SwimRunMan Laffrey - France - 2024 - 3rd

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Rockman - Norway - 2024 - 12th

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ÖTILLÖ Engadin - Switzerland - 2024 - 1st

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ÖTILLÖ Utö - Sweden - 2024 - 5th

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Geneva Marathon - Switzerland - 2024 - 32nd

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2023 Running season recap and lessons

Early season preparatory races

Trail races

Swimrun races

Thanks to HRV4Training

ÖTILLÖ World Championships - Sweden - 2023 - DNF

Sierre-Zinal - Switzerland - 2023 - 123rd

Race result

ÖTILLÖ Gothenburg Sprint - Sweden - 2023 - 4th

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Engadin Trail 16km - Switzerland - 2023 - 3rd

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ÖTILLÖ Engadin World Series - Switzerland - 2023 - 1st

Race result

Bernina Ultraks Steinbock - Switzerland - 2023

Race result

ARK ExLong by ExSwimRun - Sweden - 2023 - 2nd

Race result

Near the start and just getting going.

Navigating traffic while heading into the finish.