Dates for the inaugural edition of the One Water Race, a concept that aims to establish the world’s toughest endurance event, have been confirmed.
Taking place from 23-25 August 2022 in the Stockholm archipelago in Sweden, the event is described as “a new era within endurance racing and climate activation”. It will see participants take on one of sport’s toughest challenges: a 250km race, the distance of six marathons, by running (200km) and swimming (50km).
The concept is straightforward; 30,000 islands, 250km. Starting at Arholma in the north of Sweden, the first to reach Landsort in the south is crowned the winner. Running and swimming are the only methods of movement. No track and free choice of route but with some mandatory unknown check points needed to pass along the way. Navigation and orienteering will prove a critical component of the race. There is a maximum of ten teams, each team consists of three racers and a team captain, with both sexes needing to be represented and be out on the course the entire time.
“The event has been founded on the basis of an equally frightening and hopeful insight; we are facing one of humanity’s greatest and most acute challenges,” a news release said. “At an alarming rate, the health of our oceans and waters is deteriorating. But since it’s us humans who have caused it, we can also reverse it. For that reason, One Water Race is launched, a concept created to be the ultimate proof of human capacity, through a unique combination of adventure racing, orienteering, swimrun, ultramarathon and the distance and combination of running, swimming and navigation.”
Thomas Ogander, initiator and founder of One Water Race, added: “We only have one life, one planet and one water and we have every opportunity to influence the future of our water. One Water Race aims to draw attention to the acute situation and accelerate change by uniting people in an annual activity, but also to raise endurance racing to a higher level partly as a concept, but also the prize money that will attract, inspire and enable athletes to invest more into their sport and get paid for all the effort required to cope this extreme challenge. We are convinced that we can make a difference if we really decide to do so. We have an incredible power that we want to harness for the benefit of our oceans and waters.”
One Water Race is arranged during Baltic Sea Day, 25 August, and the week before World Water Week, 29 August to 2 September, when the Stockholm Water Prize is also awarded by King Carl XVI Gustaf and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize.
The main partner is Stockholm Archipelago, the seven archipelago municipalities working for sustainable tourism. Stockholm Archipelago is the world’s largest archipelago with more than 30,000 islands and all types of terrain from bare cliffs to deep forests that offers an outstanding environment for outdoor activities and adventures. Stockholm Archipelago strives to be a role model for climate activation.
Registration is now open until 20 January 2022 at onewaterrace.com
About the One Water Race
- When: 23-25 August 2022
- Where: Stockholm archipelago, Sweden
- Start: Arholma
- Finish: Landsort
- Teams: maximum ten mixed three-man teams, consisting of women and men
- Distance: 250km (200km running and 50km swimming)
- Prize money: $100,000
- Website: onewaterraace.com