ORCAS ISLAND RACE INFO

DATE: Sunday, September 22, 2019
LOCATION: Orcas Island, WA

Inspired by the international swimrun race series ÖTILLÖ (island to island), originating in Sweden in 2006, Ödyssey SwimRun is pleased to bring this epic swimrun race to the Pacfic Northwest!

Situated on Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands, this adventure will be an instant hit with those looking for the next big challenge. With an endless array of trails through Moran State Park, panoramic views from atop Mt. Constitution and crystal clear mountain lakes serving as swim crossings, this course will test each and every team to its core.

  • RACE INFO

    Following on the success of the inaugural Ödyssey Orcas Island in 2018, Ödyssey SwimRun is pleased to bring you the second iteration on September 22nd, 2019.

    Situated on Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands, this adventure will be an instant hit with those looking for the next big challenge. With an endless array of trails through Moran State Park, panoramic views from atop Mt. Constitution and crystal clear mountain lakes serving as swim crossings, this course will test each and every team to its core.

    Ödyssey Orcas Island is primarily a two-person team event – though limited slots are available for a special, solo athlete category. Not a relay, teammates must race the entire course together. Rules permit swim aids such as hand paddles, pull buoys, wetsuits and even swim fins to name a few. Certain safety gear is mandated by race rules and hydration and race fuel can be carried too, but what one starts with, so too must they finish with. Changing from trail shoes to swim fins, or tending to awkward gear can chew up valuable time. Having the right teammate and equipment can make all the difference.

    The Long Course will feature 18 miles of trail running and 2.5 miles of swimming broken up over 25 different sections, 13 runs and 12 swims. The race starts at Camp Moran with a dash and splash across Cascade Lake before taking athletes on trails over to Rosario Marina.

    Are you ready to climb? You will do the majority of your running on trails, broken up by pristine lake swim crossings, through Moran State Park and up to the summit of Mount Constitution, the tallest peak in the San Juans. Your effort will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the San Juans, of the mainland and of Canada!

    The next few miles are downhill, with swim crossings of the Twin Lakes, before another climb starts up to Mount Pickett. Your return route will take you past Mountain and Cascade Lakes before finishing at Camp Moran.

    With nearly 7000 feet of vertical feet gain, the long course route is truly epic!

    The Short(er) Course and Solo will be 8+ miles of running and 1.5+ miles of swimming broken up over 13 different sections, 7 runs and 6 swims. This course will likely take faster teams at least 2-2.5 hours to complete. Be prepared for a challenge!

    Quick Highlights:

    LONG COURSE
    Total Running: 18 miles
    Total Swimming: 3+ miles
    # of Segments: 13 runs, 12 swims
    # of Lakes Crossed: 4
    # of Mountains Summited: 2
    # of Vertical Feet Gained: 6400+

    SHORT COURSE/SOLO
    Total Running: 8+ miles
    Total Swimming: 1.5 miles
    # of Segments: 7 runs, 6 swims
    # of Lakes Crossed: 2
    # of Vertical Feet Gained: 2150+

    Hopefuls are encouraged to visit the Ödyssey SwimRun website and watch our short video from last year’s Ödyssey Casco Bay Islands event to learn more about this challenging sport and gain insight on optimal gear selection. Ödyssey Orcas Island is produced by Ödyssey SwimRun LLC and Quest Races LLC.

  • RACE MAPS

    LONG COURSE

    SHORT COURSE

  • QUALIFYING STANDARD

    Team members applying for consideration to the Ödyssey SwimRun events must meet at least one of the elements below within the past two years. You will be asked to provide a link to the particular event’s results page where this qualifying standard has been achieved.

    1. Former participant in a Ödyssey Swimrun event.
    2. Former participant in an official ÖTILLÖ SwimRun event or merit race.
    3. Completion of an open water swim competition longer than 1 mile.
    4. Completion of a SOS or other swimrun event with at least one swim leg of 1 km.
    5. Completion of either a 1.2 or 2.4 mile swim in an Ironman, 70.3, or similar triathlon distance event.

    All Long Course applicants MUST have attained one of the above elements to be considered for entry. Exceptions to these standards for Long Course applicants may be considered on an individual basis.

    Short Course applicants with no prior open water experience when applying must demonstrate swimming proficiency by a timed and witnessed (by pool staff on official letterhead) 1 mile pool swim in no more than 40 minutes.

  • RACE RULES

    1.) PARTICIPATION

    A. Ödyssey SwimRun participants acknowledge and understand that an adventure/endurance event comprised of multiple and alternating transits of varied terrain and open water swims may present unique and unexpected hazards outside the control of race organizers, local governments and private property owners whose property the course may utilize. All participants are required to execute a Participant Waiver and Assumption of Risk prior to competing in the Ödyssey SwimRun event.

    2.) COURSE

    A. The race course will consist of alternating overland routes and swim legs on Orcas Island. Overland routes will be casually marked at various points along the course. Swim exit points will be designated by yellow banners and strobes at selected points, but may not be immediately visible from the swim entry point. Maps of the course will be provided to athletes.

    B. Any deviation from the marked course by participants shall be grounds for disqualification.

    3.) EQUIPMENT

    A. Mandatory equipment supplied by competitors must consist of

    wetsuits worn by all competitors covering at a minimum, the torso and upper half of thighs. “Swimskins” or race suits are prohibited. Suits must be similar to swimrun specific suits such as blueseventy’s Alliance. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS MADE TO THIS REQUIREMENT. Teams unable to produce such suits at the pre-race gear check will not be able to participate.

    • 1 Compass per team (GPS watch acceptable)
    • 1 Whistle per athlete
    • 1 First Aid Pressure Bandage, packed waterproof
    • 1 Tether between teammates for swim legs

    Recommended tether length is 8.5′, and it must not exceed 30′ when fully extended. Toggle carabiner or other quick release device must be at each end.
    Failure to possess or use as required shall be grounds for disqualification.

    B. Mandatory equipment supplied by race organizers

    • Race bib to be worn at all times by each team member
    • Swim cap to be worn at all times on swimming legs
    • Timing Chip – 1 per team member

    C. Recommended or Allowed Gear

    • Course Map – Waterproof map provided by race.
    • Swim hand paddles/gloves
    • Compression calf tubes
    • Swim pull buoy affixed to thigh or back
    • Hydration bladder
    • Inflatable swim buoy
    • Nutrition extras
    • Swim fins (allowed)

    D. Equipment NOT PERMITTED

    • Any floatation aid larger than 40” x 24”
    • Personal floatation devices as swim aids (Tow behind swim buoys OK).

    E. All equipment listed at the pre-race check must accompany the teams at all times. Failure to meet this condition will be grounds for disqualification. Teams may be subject to a gear check following the completion of their race for conformity with this rule.

    4.) RACE SUPPORT & SAFETY

    A. Aid stations will be sited at various island locations across the course for fluid replacement and nutrition. Special needs should be carried by the athletes as needed.

    B. Medical personnel will be sited at various island locations and watercraft. Toilet facilities are not available due to the nature of the course, the utmost discretion is expected of athletes. Carry IN/Carry OUT.

    C. Team members must remain together at all times throughout the event and cannot be more than 10 yards apart. Use of the tether during the swim is strongly suggested, if team mates are gapped by more than 10 yards at anytime, they are subject to disqualification. Race organizers reserve the right to make tether use mandatory as the weather conditions may suggest for safety purposes.

    D. The race organization can refuse a team from continuing if they are judged to be incapable of competing safely due to fatigue or injury. Please take this in to account if you are considering the Long Course.

    E. The race organization reserves the right to cancel the event, alter, shorten, hold-in-place or otherwise change the course at any time as a consequence of weather or other unexpected course conditions that may jeopardize the safety of athletes.

    5.) CHECKPOINTS AND CUT-OFFS

    A. Checkpoints will be established on the Long Course that must be reached by a certain time in order to continue racing. Organizers reserve the right to modify these times during the race as conditions require.

    B. A team that has abandoned the race shall report to the nearest checkpoint or race staff as soon as possible.

    6.) ATHLETE CONDUCT & RESPONSIBILITIES

    A. All athletes shall become familiar with, accept, and abide by, the race rules.

    B. At all times, athletes shall be respectful of public and private property owners. Waste shall be disposed at designated aid stations ONLY. Toilet waste paper MUST be disposed of at designated aid stations, please carry appropriate supplies to conform to this provision. Failure to do so shall be cause for disqualification.

    C. Athletes are participating with the full knowledge and acceptance of the risk of injury.

    D. Athlete teams are REQUIRED to stop and offer aid, to the best of their ability, to fellow competitors in need, or as requested by race staff. Failure to do so will be grounds for disqualification without exception or recourse. This is the spirit of SwimRun that all competitors must abide by.

    E. Athletes are required to attend a mandatory pre-race briefing in the afternoon prior to race day. This session will be held at a Portland area hotel on the mainland. Athletes failing to attend will not be permitted to race.

    7.) RELEASE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE

    A. Participants agree to permit the race organization to utilize photographs, video or film images taken during the event for use in marketing, press accounts, or publicity in print or digital form over all mediums of transmission.

  • EVENT INFO

    A WORD OF ADVICE – Being honest about your open water swimming skills will be the key to your joy or disappointment on race day. Please carefully consider if this event is for you.

    THESE ARE ARDUOUS COURSES AND ARE NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY. It will entail dealing with possible wind and surface chop and require you to be competent with sighting skills in locating landing zones that may not be immediately apparent on an opposite shore. “Hard stop” check points must be reached within an established time frame in order to continue. Failing to do so will disqualify your team from continuing onward. Race management may identify teams that will not be permitted to complete the race at that point and return DQ’d teams to the finish venue as resources become available.

    You NEED TO BE A COMPETENT AND CONFIDENT OPEN WATER SWIMMER. Neoprene wetsuits (swimskin suits are not allowed) covering the full torso and upper thighs at a minimum are MANDATORY, NO EXCEPTIONS.

    Hopefuls are encouraged to view the official SwimRun Casco Bay Islands video from 2017 to learn more about this challenging event and gain insight on optimal gear selection. Ödyssey Casco Bay Islands/Cole Classic is produced by Ödyssey SwimRun LLC. Ödyssey Boston Harbor Islands is produced in partnership with ethos LLC. Ödyssey Orcas Island is produced in partnership with Quest Races LLC.

  • REFUND POLICY

    Should a team need to drop out prior to June 1, a full refund of the team fee will be made IF we are able to fill your team slot from the waiting list, otherwise the refund is limited to 50%.

    After June 1, there are no refunds that will be permitted. All refunds are subject to a $1.00 service fee imposed by the registration vendor. Fees assessed by the RunSignUp vendor are not refundable.
    Deferrals to the next year’s event(s) are considered under certain circumstances, however any price differential that may occur will be due at registration. There will be an additional fee assessed for approved deferrals.