By Declan O’Malley
Sounder contributor
The seventh OTILLO Swimrun on Orcas Island was Sept. 14, combining open-water swimming and trail running in a rugged, self-supported race.
“It was a spectacular day on Orcas for the seventh edition of OTILLO Swimrun,” said Lars Finanger, an event organizer. “We had 200 athletes sign up across the three distances — Experience, Sprint and World Series.”
Throughout the event’s year history on Orcas, there have been some big-name and well-known competitors. Former Tour De France winner Lance Armstrong competed in 2018 prior to a speaking event at Orcas Christian School. This year, Lagerstrom, a professional triathlete and filmmaker, competed in a unique way at the event, serving as a “Charity Chaser.”
Starting 15 minutes after the last athlete in the World Series field, Lagerstrom aimed to pass as many competitors as possible. According to organizers, for each athlete he overtook, the organization will donate on his behalf to the Orcas Island Athletic Booster Club. A film crew was on hand to capture the action throughout the course, adding an exciting element to his challenge.
According to Finanger, Lagerstrom earned a total of $1,200 from the event. The participants he passed contributed $600 to the total, and for outright winning the World Series race, the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun matched that amount with an additional $600 for the Orcas Island Athletic Booster Club donations.
Like in past races, athletes, competing solo or in pairs, carried all their gear — typically wetsuits, paddles, pull buoys and trail shoes — from start to finish. The event drew participants from across the Pacific Northwest, 27 other U.S. states, Canada, and even Sweden, the birthplace of Swimrun.
2025 results
World Series Team – First place: Team Envol Spam Fika – Kawika Tarayao, Marcus Barton.
World Series Solo – Male, 36: Eric Lagerstrom, Bend, Oregon.
Sprint Team – First place: High Zero – Cy Sack, Kyle Roeter.
Sprint Solo – Male, 66: Theodore Even, Chehalis, Washington.
Sprint Team – Second place: Paging Dr. Milos – Miles Trudelle, Steve Trudelle.
According to organizers, the event was initially expected to attract mostly triathlon athletes. Instead, it now draws participants and teams from a wide range of sports, including Hyrox/CrossFit, triathlon, trail running, open-water swimming, adventure racing, Deep End Fitness and more.
“Our organization has evolved each year as the sport of Swimrun continues to grow,” Finanger said. “For example, in year one, we required athletes to carry unnecessary equipment, like a waterproof map of the course and a compass. Now, with improved course signage, athletes can easily follow directions from start to finish.”
The event looks forward to returning for its eighth edition. For more information, visit runsignup.com/Race/WA/Eastsound/OdysseySwimRunOrcasIsland.
