Thousands of swimmers conquer the aQuellé Midmar Mile
Mike Pengelly celebrates after completing his 53rd swim at the aQuellé Midmar Mile yesterday. Pengelly has been swimming the Midmar Mile since its inception.
Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers
TODAY marks the conclusion of the aQuellé Midmar Mile, where thousands of swimmers are set to conquer South Africa's largest open water swimming events at the picturesque Midmar Dam near Howick, in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
Between yesterday and today, an expected 12,000 swimmers, from first-timers, veterans, families, teams and elite athletes alike take on one of the world's largest open water swimming event, held annually at the picturesque Midmar Dam.
Wayne Riddin, race director, said the number of entrants has been increasing every year.
"Last year we had about 11 000. We are still to reach the pre-Covid figures of over 12000. This is a great swimming event that attracts entrants from across the country and world.
"We have raised this year over R2-million for charities," said Riddin.
Swimmers at the aQuellé Midmar Mile, one of the world's largest open water swimming event yesterday. The race is approximately 1.6km with events for all ages and different levels of swimmers including disability, families, teams and professionals. This event is split over two days allowing swimmers to participate in multiple events in various categories and event to have multiple dam crossings.
Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers
Since 2016, the aQuellé Midmar Mile has raised over R22 million for a variety of charitable causes.
In the days leading up to the race weekend, Charity Challenge athletes took on the extraordinary 8- and 16-Mile swims, embodying the purpose, resilience and spirit that define the Midmar Mile.
Among those joining the charity challenge were two-time Olympic gold medallist in open water swimming Sharon van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands and South Africa’s Chad le Clos.
Olympic medallist and deaf swimmer Terence Parkin, Gary Albertyn and Reino von Wielligh tackled a historic 32-MILE swim over four days at Midmar Dam to raise awareness and funds for different charities.
Parkin's daughter, Leya, completed the 16-mile challenge on Friday in aid of animal charity Happy Yappers.
Martin Godfrey will swim his 52nd aQuellé Midmar Mile today
Image: Supplied
Mike Pengelly, aged 79, swam his 53rd aQuellé Midmar Mile yesterday, maintaining the title of the only swimmer to have participated every year since the event began.
Martin Godfrey, 67, from Pietermaritzburg, will participate in his 52nd Midmar Mile today.
"When I swam my first Midmar Mile in 1974 I came out third and for the next two I placed sixth. Initially we thought it was a once off event, then it was the next year and the next and now 53 years later.
"I am committed to doing 60. I would like to be the youngest person to do the most. I will continue until I am no longer able to. He said if you have swam in this event once, you will keep coming back, which he has been doing.
"This event brings to the Midlands area about R25 to 30-million with the local establishments, such as accommodation establishments and restaurants benefitting," said Godfrey.
George Watson (left) and Midmar Mile founder Mike 'Buthie' Arbuthnot. Watson will swim his 50th aQuellé Midmar Mile today
Image: Supplied
Tackling their 50th Midmar Mile today is Jill “Quix” Quicke and George Watson.
Watson, 77, from Umzumbe on the south coast, said he looks forward to the event annually, particularly this milestone year.
"When I started there was just 600 swimmers. For me Midmar has always been about connecting with friends who I met through swimming clubs and water polo," said Watson.
While there have been decades of memories created, one performance remains particularly memorable.
“The year I did my best time, I started late and still managed a 22-minute swim. It was somewhere around 1982/3,” he said.
Watson also recalls the extremes of the event over the last 50 years.
“There was a huge storm in 1978 and waves of at least two feet. When we got home, Pietermaritzburg was a shambles with trees blown over etc.” said Watson.
Watson's son from Singapore and two nephews from Holland and Cape Town will also be swimming the Midmar Mile today.