Event Info
Ötillö Cannes

By Richard Mitchell and Mogsy Ford

Updated December 2024

Full event info Otillo Cannes. This takes place on the South coast of France, on the French Riviera. The Mediterranean water is clear and warm, and the run sections take in some urban areas as well as the hills behind Cannes.

This the only event on the Ötillö calendar that needs you to have a valid medical certificate. This is a requirement for any sporting event in France.




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Event Info Ötillö Cannes

Location

Cannes, in the south of France, home of the famous Cannes Film Festival.

One of the most famous cities in Europe, Cannes enjoys a mild climate and international lifestyle. This is the most popular Ötillö event, with over 800 racers taking part here.


The Otillo Cannes swimrun race sea Entry, with swimrunners in red hats running into the sea in front of a cliff.Image credit: Jean-Marie Gueye/Ötillö

How to get there

The nearest airports are at Nice, 30 minutes away, and Marseille, which is 90 minutes away.

There is also a train station in the centre of Cannes which is connected to virtually every country in Europe!

So, your options are to take the train from your nearest major station in Europe, or else fly directly to Nice or Marseille and take a train or taxi from there.


Where to stay

Ötillö has put together an offer with the Juliana Hotel Cannes, right next to the starting area. The hotel is rated Four Star, with 165 rooms and suites, and has been refurbished to celebrate the golden era of the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Located just 300 meters from the Croisette, the hotel is ideally situated near the port, the shopping district and Cannes’ most stylish international beach. The Juliana Hotel is offering special rates for all ÖTILLÖ athletes, as follows:

  • Standard single room 120 EUR
  • Standard double room 140 EUR
  • Single deluxe room 190 EUR
  • Deluxe double room 210 EUR

These prices are only valid from 9th to 13th October, and are per room, and include breakfast, but excluding tourist tax.

Garage and parking 25 EUR per day.

Please send an email to the hotel with the subject «ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Cannes», email: reservations@juliana-cannes.com

The following information must be included in the email:

  • Name
  • Date of Arrival & Departure
  • Mail
  • Phone
  • Number of people.

The Hotel will send a payment link to finalise the reservation. The deadline for reservations is 8th October 2024.


Otherwise, check out AirBnB, Booking.com and Trivago. Other accommodation agents are also available.

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 7.3 km. Of that, 2km is swimming, and 5.2 km is running. Total elevation is just 1 metre, so it's a VERY flat course.
  • Sprint is a medium-distance event, with a total distance of 13.2 km. Of that, 3 km is swimming, and 10.1 km is running. Elevation gain is 177 metres, so there are some hills to conquer.
  • The World Series event is the big one - covering 40.8 km, made up of 8 km swimming and 32.7 km of running. Total elevation is 345 metres.


Race routes

Start & Finish:
The start and finish for the Sprint and Experience races are on the public beach Zamenhof plage, on the Croisette.

The start for the World Series race is in the Fort on île Ste Marguerite, and the race finishes at the public beach Zamenhof plage.  There are a few toilets, showers and changing rooms by the finish line.

Bag drop
For the Sprint & Experience, you can leave a small bag on the beach by the start. For the World Series, you can bring one small bag per person to the start, which will be taken to the finish line for you. Mark your bag well. Remember, the bag drop is not guarded!


Otillo Cannes Experience Route map
Otillo Cannes Sprint Route map
The swimrun Otillo Cannes World Series Route map

Event Info Ötillö Cannes

Energy stations

There are several energy stations around each course; be aware that there are no paper cups, you have to bring your own collapsible cup or soft silicone water bottle.

Energy products are provided by Umara; U Sport energy drinks, U Bar energy bars (gluten-free), and U Gels in assorted flavours.


At the Otillo Cannes swimrun event, with two athletes running under the treesImage credit: Jean-Marie Gueye/Ötillö

Cut-off times

The cut-off stations are;

  • Experience - One cut-off, at Time 2,  11:30
  • Sprint -  One cut-off, at Time 2,  11:30
  • World Series - THREE cut-offs, at Time 3 (12:00H) Time 4, (12:55), and Time 7 (15:00H).


Weather

Held in October, it is late summer.  The air temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius, and the water temperature is also around 20 degrees celcius, which is very comfortable!

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


Summary of event info Otillo Cannes

The Ötillö Cannes swimrun event is a bit different to most Ötillö races as it is relatively flat, with minimal vertical elevation, and takes in some urban routes.

There are some particular rules here;

  • According to French law, you must bring and display a doctor's certificate for each athlete at race registration.  You can also upload the certificate when entering the race.
  • Wetsuits are prohibited if the water temperature is above 24.5 degrees Celsius.

Overall, a spectacular location for an amazing swimrun event!

Check the dates at our Calendar Europe 2025 page!

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



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