Roughly 300 competitors from 23 nationalities raced through the picturesque landscape of the Engadin Valley last Saturday in the Swiss Alps for the second Engadin Swimrun.
Competitors raced in teams of two and those who rose to the challenge had to overcome 47.5km of trail running and 8 different open water swims, measuring 5.75km.
The Engadin Swimrun acted as a qualifier for ÖTILLÖ, the Swimrun World Championship, which takes place September 7 2015.
Sweden’s Björn Englund and Lelle Moberg, who won the first Engadin Swimrun last year, retained their crowns while Corolin Holmqvist and Kritsin Larsson, both from Sweden, were the first women’s team to finish. Jasmina Glad – Schreven and Thomas Schreven were the first mixed team to finish.
Two wins for the Swedes
It wasn’t until the final hour that Björn Englund and Lelle Moberg took the lead. They had been second best for a large portion of the race as they sought to catch up to the Swiss team of Igor Nastic and Jean Marc Cartolli, who had led for most of the race.
Nastic and Cartolli, who were newcomers to the sport of Swimrun, took second place and the Austrian team of Philip Hantschk and Daniel Grundmann completed the top three.
“This was probably the hardest race we have done,” winner Björn Englund said afterwards. “All day we have gone from loving swimrun to hating swimrun to loving, hating and loving again!”
Carolin Holmqvist and Kristin Larsson dominated the women’s category – leading the whole race from beginning to end.
They finished thirty minutes ahead of runners up Karin Liden and Charlotte Eriksson, who also hailed from Sweden. Holmqyist and Larrsson’s wining time was the eight quickest overall.
Mixed category glory Schreven pair
Thomas Schreven (NED) and Jasmina Glad-Schreven (FIN) also led their category from the start. The team, representing the Say No! to Doping campaign, finshed ahead 34 seconds ahead of the
French duo Ralite Tom and Arnuad Elfie sealed second place, celebrating with a kiss on the finish line. Natalia Muller (SUI) and Sand Hanna Slotte (SWE) finished third, completing the top three.
Engadin Swimrun 2015 champions (47.5km run/ 5.75km swim)
Men’s
Björn Englund (SWE) Lelle Moberg (SWE) - 6:28:23
Women’s
Carolin Holmqvist (SWE) Kristin Larsson (SWE) - 06:55:25
Mixed
Jasmina Glad-Schreven (FIN) Thomas Schreven (NED) - 06:39:25
Did you race Engadin Valley Swimrun? Let us know in the comments below!
Roughly 300 competitors from 23 nationalities raced through the picturesque landscape of the Engadin Valley in the Swiss Alps last Saturday for the second Engadin Swimrun.
>>> Üto Swimrun 2015 – in pics
Competitors raced in teams of two and those who rose to the challenge had to overcome 47.5km of trail running and eight different open water swims, measuring 5.75km in total.
The Engadin Swimrun acted as a qualifier for ÖTILLÖ, the Swimrun World Championship, which takes place on 7th September 2015.
Sweden’s Björn Englund and Lelle Moberg, who won the first Engadin Swimrun last year, retained their crowns while Corolin Holmqvist and Kritsin Larsson, both from Sweden, were the first women’s team to finish. Jasmina Glad – Schreven and Thomas Schreven were the first mixed team to finish.
Two wins for the Swedes
It wasn’t until the final hour that Björn Englund and Lelle Moberg took the lead. They had been in second place for a large portion of the race as they sought to catch up to the Swiss team of Igor Nastic and Jean Marc Cartolli.
Nastic and Cartolli, who were newcomers to the sport of Swimrun, took second place and the Austrian team of Philip Hantschk and Daniel Grundmann completed the top three.
Björn Englund and Lelle Moberg cross the line to win
“This was probably the hardest race we have done,” winner Björn Englund said afterwards. “All day we have gone from loving swimrun to hating swimrun to loving, hating and loving again!”
Carolin Holmqvist and Kristin Larsson dominated the women’s category – leading the whole race from beginning to end.
Carolin Holmqvist and Kristin Larsson win the women's category
They finished thirty minutes ahead of runners up Karin Liden and Charlotte Eriksson, who also hailed from Sweden. Holmqvist and Larrsson’s wining time was the eight quickest overall.
Mixed category glory Schreven pair
Thomas Schreven (NED) and Jasmina Glad-Schreven (FIN) also led their category from the start. The team, representing the Say No! to Doping campaign, finished ahead 34 seconds ahead of French duo Ralite Tom and Arnaud Elfie. Natalia Muller (SUI) and Sand Hanna Slotte (SWE) finished third, completing the top three.
Thomas Schreven and Jasmina Glad-Schreven win the mixed category
Engadin Swimrun 2015 champions (47.5km run / 5.75km swim)
Men’s
Björn Englund (SWE) & Lelle Moberg (SWE) - 6:28:23
Women’s
Carolin Holmqvist (SWE) & Kristin Larsson (SWE) - 06:55:25
Mixed
Jasmina Glad-Schreven (FIN) & Thomas Schreven (NED) - 06:39:25
Full results here.
(Images: Jakob Edholm / Nadja Odenhage / Engadin Swimrun 15)
Did you race Engadin Valley Swimrun? Let us know in the comments below!
