Husband-and-wife duo Moya Johansson and Kieran Roche have etched their names into swimrun history, finishing 13th in the Mixed category at their first-ever ÖTILLÖ, the Swimrun World Championship in Sweden. Racing as Team Australia, they crossed the line in 9:46:45, proudly flying the flag as the only all-Australian team in this year’s field, and the first mixed team in the history of the event.
A brutal course, an unforgettable test
The ÖTILLÖ World Championship is widely regarded as the toughest swimrun event in the world. Teams race across 24 islands, tackling 70 kilometres in total – 61 km of trail running and 9 km of open-water swimming – with a staggering 46 transitions. To beat the dusk cutoff, competitors must move fast, adapt quickly, and endure some of the most technical conditions in endurance sport.
Moya reflected on the challenge afterwards, still stunned by the enormity of what they had just endured: “That was one of the hardest things we’ve ever done. The running was unbelievably technical, the water was just 12 degrees, and every island threw something new at us. We went from racing to honestly questioning whether we’d even finish. We’re still lost for words – it was brutal, but such an insane experience.”
Despite the suffering, she says there’s no doubt it was worth it: “We’re sore in every single part of our bodies, but so glad we did it. The other athletes were just incredible to watch out there, and we’re so grateful for the support and the chance to represent Australia.”
Worlds apart from local events
What makes Johansson and Roche’s debut even more impressive is the leap from Australian events to the world stage. Until 2025, Swimrun Australia’s longest swimrun topped out at 20km on the Gold Coast and 17km at Sydney North. The new 26.5km Ultra at Sydney North will be Australia’s longest, yet it still falls far short of the 70km odyssey of ÖTILLÖ.
Australia’s urban swimruns also can’t replicate the freezing water, technical rock-hopping, or island-to-island courses of Sweden, Europe, and the US. International athletes benefit from a full calendar of challenging events in epic lake and archipelago settings, while Australians face the added barrier of isolation and limited opportunities to build race fitness.
For Team Australia, that context makes their top-15 finish all the more remarkable.
World-class competition
This year’s Mixed category saw 43 teams line up. Sweden’s Hanna and Johan Skårbratt stormed to victory in 8:03:39, followed by Lydie Waucquier and Florian Schäfer of France in second, and Sweden’s Ulrika Eriksson with France’s David Pesquet in third.
In the Women’s category, Switzerland’s Sabina Rapelli and Sweden’s Anna Hellström set a new course record with their win in 8:24:01, ahead of Sweden’s Veronica Wenner & Jenny Svensson and Pernilla Irewährn & Anna Larsson.
In the Men’s category, the French duo of Arnaud De Lustrac & Jérome Gueguen took the title in 7:13:05. They were followed closely by France’s Hugo Tormento and Australia’s own Adriel Young, who teamed up with Tormento to claim silver in 7:18:50, and by Rémi Andrade & Tom Ralite of France in third.
Flying the flag for Australia
For Johansson and Roche, lining up alongside such world-class athletes – and holding their own – was an achievement in itself. And they weren’t the only Australian making an impact. Adriel Young, founder of Swimrun Australia, now a Swedish resident and one of the world’s most decorated swimrunners, added another podium to his resume. Backing up from victory at the gruelling One Water Race in August, Young and Tormento claimed second in the Men’s category.
A first chapter, not the last
As the only all-Australian team in the field, Johansson and Roche carried more than just their own hopes across those 24 islands. Their debut performance marks the first time athletes from the Swimrun Australia pathway have stepped onto the sport’s grandest stage.
“This event pushed us beyond anything we’ve done before,” said Johansson. “But to share it together, and to fly the flag for Australia, is something we’ll never forget.”
Their top-15 finish against some of the toughest competitors in the sport is more than a result – it’s a milestone for the Australian swimrun community. By taking on the Baltic rocks and icy waters of ÖTILLÖ, Johansson and Roche have blazed a trail for adventurous Aussies who might one day dream of doing the same.
For now, Team Australia return home sore, satisfied, and with a story that will inspire the next wave of swimrunners down under.
Australian swimrun athletes who are keen to pursue a pathway to the ÖTILLÖ World Championship can get in touch with Swimrun Australia director, Andre Slade, to explore their next step.
