When Moya Johansson and Kieran Roche line up on the start line of the 2025 ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship in Sweden, they won’t just be racing for themselves.
They’ll be racing as ‘Team Australia’, representing a growing sport Down Under, a return to elite competition after new parenthood, and a shared love for the kind of wild adventure that only swimrun can offer.
The pair were awarded a wildcard entry into the World Championship based on their strong performances in our Swimrun Australia events and an impressive background in long-distance endurance racing. Their selection wasn’t just about athletic ability; it was also about potential.
“It’s been a real joy to help Moya and Kieran secure their ÖTILLÖ Wildcard this year,” said Swimrun Australia Event Director Andre Slade.
“Moya, especially, has been a passionate voice for swimrun in Australia since day one, so it’s incredibly special to see her take on the sport’s biggest stage.”
“Being so far from Europe, it’s no small feat for Aussie swimrunners to qualify for the World Championship, so we’re hugely grateful to the ÖTILLÖ crew for recognising and supporting our growing community down here.”
“With more adventurous souls getting involved across the country, it’s exciting to see homegrown teams stepping up on the world stage, and we reckon it’s time to start calling them what they are: local legends.”
From the long course to long transitions
Moya and Kieran aren’t new to endurance racing. The Aussie duo spent years on the long-course triathlon circuit, racing Ironmans and half-Ironmans around the world.
In fact, both were crowned champions at the Halmstad Half-Ironman in Sweden back in 2018, a race that’s etched in their memories for more reasons than just the result.
“We both won that day in front of my FarFar (grandfather),” said Ms Johansson.
“He even got interviewed on the local news, and he was proud as punch.”
Returning to Sweden this September to race in front of her Swedish family makes the moment even more special for Moya, who holds dual Australian-Swedish citizenship.
But ÖTILLÖ, a 75km journey across the Swedish archipelago, is no ordinary race. With 10km of swimming, 60km of trail running, and 46 transitions between land and sea, it’s a brutal, beautiful adventure that tests endurance, resilience, and teamwork.
And teamwork is something Moya and Kieran are ready for, on and off the course.
From mixed team dominance to a new dynamic duo
Moya is no stranger to swimrun success. Since her debut in 2016, she’s racked up six wins in the Mixed Division at Swimrun Australia events, including her most recent victory at Sydney East this year, just five months after giving birth to her first child.
Her long-time mixed team partner, Mitchell Frankish, had to step down from the World Championship after the birth of his second child. But rather than withdrawing, Moya found a ready substitute: her husband, Kieran.
“We’ve done loads of training together over the years, but never a race like this,” said Ms Johansson.
“It’s going to be the ultimate test of marriage for myself and Kieran!”
Although Kieran, for his part, is no stranger to Swimrun, having taken out two Swimrun Australia Men’s Division wins himself.
“We communicate well and can read each other’s body language,” said Ms Johansson.
“I just hope Kieran’s memorised the course map and is ready to navigate for both of us!”
Training with a baby and a stopwatch
Preparation for ÖTILLÖ hasn’t been straightforward. Between sleepless nights and juggling schedules, the couple has had to get creative.
“Logistics have been a little tricky, we can rarely train together anymore like we used to,” said Ms Johansson.
“And the sleep deprivation hits harder than we expected, but we’re making it work.”
The couple has begun incorporating more technical trail running sessions, training along the rocky headlands and beaches of the NSW South Coast, terrain that closely mirrors what they’ll face in Sweden.
They’ve also begun short race simulations to prepare for the 46 transitions they’ll encounter on race day.
Physically, Moya says the return to training post-baby has been one of her biggest personal challenges.
“Having a baby is wild, females are incredible!” said Ms Johansson.
“I was exhausted, and coming back to training meant going slow and really listening to my body. It’s been a gradual process.”
“Mentally, the race is going to be as much a celebration as it is going to be a test.”
“We were over the moon when we found out we’d received the wildcard. It’s such an exciting adventure, and to be named ‘Team Australia’ is really special.”
What is ÖTILLÖ?
ÖTILLÖ, meaning “island to island” in Swedish, is the original and most prestigious swimrun race in the world. Held annually on the first Monday of September, the race traverses the stunning Stockholm Archipelago, challenging teams of two to cover approximately 75 kilometres, comprising 60 km of trail running and 10 km of open-water swimming, across 24 islands with 46 transitions between land and sea.
Participants must stay within 10 metres of each other throughout the race, emphasising teamwork and mutual support. The course is renowned for its technical difficulty, featuring slippery rocks, cold Baltic waters, and unpredictable weather conditions.
Since its inception in 2006, ÖTILLÖ has grown into a global phenomenon, inspiring a series of swimrun events worldwide. Yet, the World Championship remains the pinnacle of the sport, attracting elite athletes from around the globe to test their limits in one of the most demanding endurance races on the planet.
Growing the sport at home
The selection of Moya and Kieran as ‘Team Australia’ came via nomination from Swimrun Australia, who put the pair forward for a wildcard spot with confidence not just in their ability, but in their character and commitment to the community.
“We’re looking for ambassadors who can not only compete at the highest level but also help grow the sport here at home,” said Andre Slade.
“And Moya and Kieran are exactly that.”
“Moya’s great mates with Adriel Young, Australia’s original swimrunner and a world champ in his own right, so they’ve got the best in their corner as they prepare for the ultimate endurance test.”
“We’re cheering loud for Moya and Kieran and can’t wait to see what they achieve out there.”
Their story, a mix of elite endurance experience, community involvement, and the real-life juggle of new parenthood, epitomises the heart of swimrun.
“We’re very grateful to Swimrun Australia, not just for nominating us, but for the work they do to grow the sport here,” said Ms Johansson.
“We’ve raced Sydney East and Sydney North multiple times, and it’s just such a fun and welcoming atmosphere.”
“If anyone’s on the fence about giving swimrun a go, do it. You’ll love it.”
With the clock ticking down to September 1, the couple now have their sights set on Sweden’s wild coastlines, cold water, and the unknowns that await.
But whether it’s changing nappies at 2 am or changing pace mid-race, Moya and Kieran are ready to tackle ÖTILLÖ.
