Event Info
Ötillö Casco Bay

Updated September 2024

Full event info Otillo Casco Bay.

The Casco Bay swimrun used to be known as the Cole Classic, in memory of co-founder Jeff Cole. This is America's original swimrun event, when it was run by Odyssey, formerly Swimrun USA, who brought this exciting sport to the States.

Experience salty ocean swims, changing tides, island hopping, rock scrambles, historic sites, and the unique feel only the East Coast, Maine, and this legendary race can offer.

The usual date is around mid-August.

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Event Info Ötillö Casco Bay

Location

Casco Bay Islands, Portland, Maine, USA

How to get there

The nearest airport is Portland (PWM).

From Portland, you can get to the islands on the Casco Bay Lines ferries. There are also private water taxis.

On race day, all athletes and volunteers will be transported to their respective start lines on the Casco Bay Lines ferries . Tickets are included for every athlete and volunteer.

However, spectators must plan their own transport. After the race, the ferry to the mainland is free for everyone, first-come, first-served.

Where to stay

Ötillö has NOT made any special arrangements or negociated any discounts at any accommodation.

However, there are many hotels on the mainland and B&Bs on the islands. If you choose to stay on the island, you will need to organise your own transportation to the correct race start island on race morning.

DISTANCES TO RACE SITE

It takes about 11 minutes to get from the airport to Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal Area. The ferry from Portland to Peaks Island takes about 20-minutes.

PARKING

Street and garage parking is available all over the docks area. There is no event-specific parking area.

You can pick up your race packet the day before the event, at the Holiday Inn Portland-by the Bay, which is at 88 Spring St., in Portland.

Race distances

There are 3 race distances, the Experience, the Sprint, and the World Series.

Experience is a short intro event, with a total distance of 9.7 km. Of that, 1.6 km is swimming, and 8 km is running. Total elevation is 45 metres.
Sprint is a medium-distance event, with a total distance of 16.9 km. Of that, 3.2 km is swimming, and 13.7 km is running. Elevation gain is 107 metres.
The World Series event is the big one - covering 35.2 km, made up of 7.94 km swimming and 27.2 km of running. Total elevation is 262 metres.

Wetsuits are MANDATORY for ALL distances. Wetsuit rental is available, from Ark. You can collect it at the race-packet pick up.

Race routes

Start & Finish:

The Experience and Sprint races start at the ferry landing area on Great Diamond Island.

The World Series event starts at Chandler's Cove on Chebeague Island.

The finish line and post-race area for ALL distances is at Peaks Island Lions Club on Peaks Island.

The courses change every year depending on the tides; a swim crossing one year might be a run leg the following year. Athletes must be prepared for anything and everything!

Bag drop
If you have a small change of clothes bag, you can put it in the Ötillö baggage cart before you get on the ferry. The baggage cart will then be taken to the finish area, where you can reclaim it after the race.

Remember, the bag drop is not guarded!

Otillo Swimrun Casco Bay Experience Route map

Experience distance route map.

Otillo Swimrun Casco Bay Sprint Route map

Sprint distance route map

Otillo Swirun Casco Bay World Series Route map

World Series distance route map

Event Info Ötillö Casco Bay

Energy stations

Every water stop will be equipped with a minimum of two coolers. One cooler will contain regular water. The other cooler will be filled with Precision Hydration electrolyte-infused water. You can identify this cooler by the “PH” marking on its top.

Additionally, most, if not all, water stops will have a bucket or container holding PH gels.

No cups are available on course; you must bring your own collapsible cup or soft silicone bottle.

Please ensure that any trash you have is disposed of in the designated trash bag, typically tied to the handle of one of the water coolers. Leaving trash on the course or failing to use the trash bags will result in immediate disqualification and a ban from all future races.

Cut-off times

All distances have the same safety cut-offs:

Exit Long Island: 09:30
Exit Little Diamond: 11:00
Exit Peak Island: 12:00

Weather

Held in mid-August, it is summer. The air temperature is around 25 degrees Celsius, BUT the water temperature is around 16 degrees celcius, it will feel chilly!

However, the weather can be unpredictable, so check the forecast for the area before you travel, and pack appropriate clothing.

A wetsuit is mandatory for ALL competitors.

Summary of event info Otillo Casco Bay

The Ötillö Casco Bay swimrun event is unique. Overall, a spectacular location for an amazing swimrun event!

Check the dates at our swimrun calendar USA/World 2025.

If you think our event info Otillo Casco Bay needs an amendment, please let us know via the Contact Us link. Thank you!