Chad le Clos to participate in the 8-Mile Charity Challenge at the aQuellé Midmar Mile

South African Olympic gold medallist, Chad le Clos, will be taking on the 8-Mile Charity Challenge at next year’s aQuellé Midmar Mile, lending his support to swimmers and fund raise for his foundation.  

The 53rd aQuellé Midmar Mile will take place from February 5 to 8, with the 8-Mile Charity Challenge events on the first two days and the main events on the last two. The event, held annually in February at Midmar Dam near Pietermaritzburg, is the world's largest open water swimming event.

Founded in 2018, the Chad le Clos Foundation works to create safer access to water across South Africa through drowning-prevention initiatives, water-safety education, and community engagement.

Its programmes include developing young swimmers from disadvantaged communities, supporting promising talent with coaching and competition opportunities, and launching long-term projects aimed at reducing drownings in both open-water and pool environments.

While Le Clos has been associated with the Midmar Mile for a long time, he has not participated on a regular basis.

Last year he swam the one mile with his charity.

"I am very excited to be part of something so special. This will be my first 8-mile charity challenge. The reason I am doing it is because my charity has been involved for the last five years with the 8-Mile Challenge. I also thought I had taken this year off otherwise I am usually very busy and it is hard for me to do eight miles especially in February with the nationals coming up.

"But this will be good for me as I will be swimming with all the people that are swimming for my foundation. I will be swimming with little clusters of people every mile. I also have a friend and teammate from Germany who will be coming and swimming for charity. We want to give everyone an opportunity to swim with him and me and uplift swimming and that is what I stand for," said Le Clos.

He said he would encourage people to take on the 8-Mile because it is for a good cause, adding that swimmers can pick a charity they want to give back to.

Le Clos added that he has partnered with Virgin Active and that in early 2026 they will combine efforts to help swimming especially in the communities.

He said he hopes to raise as much as they can.

"Every swim and every swimmer makes a difference. We are blessed to have some external donors. We have partnered with some other foundations that we are going to do some work with."

Le Clos has swam the Midmar Mile about three to four times as a junior, but has always attended the event.

"I've always supported the Midmar Mile long before my foundation was involved, but I just really love to be there. I always want to be part of it because it is such a great initiative. Midmar Mile has grown into something truly special and is world-renowned.

"I think what's quite unique about Midmar is that it seems to grow every year, and the fact that it just gives everybody of all ages the opportunity to compete. You can be in your 80s. Swimming is a great sport for everybody,” said the 33-year-old.

Le Clos had earlier this year taken an extended break from competitive swimming to recuperate fully from lingering injuries. He is focused on returning to peak performance with qualification for next July’s Commonwealth Games being the first step.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE