Aussie endurance athletes and ocean lovers Moya Johansson and Kieran Roche are heading to Sweden this September to compete in the 2025 ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship, a gruelling endurance event that’s part cold-water swim, part trail run, and all team effort.

The husband-and-wife duo will fly the flag as ‘Team Australia’, having received a wildcard entry thanks to their strong performances in Swimrun Australia events and their long history in long-course triathlon.

For ocean swimmers, ÖTILLÖ is swimrun’s equivalent of the English Channel or Rottnest, it’s tough, technical, and deeply respected in the endurance world.

The course spans a massive 75km across Sweden’s Stockholm Archipelago, made up of 10km of open-water swimming and 60km of rocky, often slippery trail running across 24 islands, with 46 transitions in and out of the water. Teams of two must stay within 10 metres of each other the entire time, meaning strategy, communication, and pacing are just as important as fitness.

For Moya, this race is more than just a world-class challenge, it’s a celebration. She recently returned to racing after giving birth to her first child just five months ago, taking out the Mixed Division at Swimrun Australia’s Sydney East event, her sixth win at the series.

Her usual teammate, Mitchell Frankish, was forced to withdraw following the arrival of his second child. Moya didn’t miss a beat, inviting her husband Kieran, also a two-time Swimrun Australia winner, to step up for their first swimrun race together.

“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!”

The pair have been squeezing in training between nappy changes and sleepless nights, including technical trail runs on the NSW South Coast and short simulations to prepare for the relentless transitions. Moya, who holds dual citizenship, says racing in Sweden, especially in front of her family, adds an extra emotional layer.

“We both won the Halmstad Half-Ironman in Sweden in 2018, in front of my grandfather,” said Ms Johansson.

“It was such a special day, and to return for ÖTILLÖ now as parents and as ‘Team Australia’ is pretty surreal.”

Swimrun Australia Event Director Andre Slade says their nomination was about more than just athletic results.

“Moya’s been a passionate voice for swimrun in Australia since day one, so it’s incredibly special to see her on the sport’s biggest stage,” said Slade.

“It’s no small feat for Aussie athletes to qualify for ÖTILLÖ, and we’re thrilled the organisers recognised the potential in these two. We reckon it’s time to start calling them what they are: local legends.”

“They’ve even got Australia’s original swimrunner and world champ, Adriel Young, in their corner, so we’re backing them all the way.”

With the race set for September 1st, Moya and Kieran are deep into training mode, but not too deep to share a message with the swimming community.

“We’re really grateful for the support,” said Ms Johansson.

“If anyone’s thinking about trying swimrun, do it. If you love ocean swimming, it’s the perfect next step into something a little more adventurous.”