aQuellé Midmar Mile sees top swimmers converge for the grand finale
Tomorrow, the stunning backdrop of Midmar Dam in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands plays host to the climactic elite races of the 52nd aQuellé Midmar Mile, the world's largest open water swimming event.
Thousands of swimmers have converged at Midmar Dam since the event began on Thursday.
Each year the event attracts thousands of entrants and supports numerous charitable organisations. The thousands of competitors range from serious international athletes and Olympic medallists to recreational swimmers.
A strong contingent of South African swimmers will line up on the starting pontoon, the final day, together with international competitiors.
Eighteen-year-old Callan Lotter and 20-year-old Connor Albertyn, will head into the race as the top-seeded local swimmers. The will be up against New Zealand’s 5km open water champions – Ruby Heath and Louis Clark.
Albertyn finished as the first South African in last year’s men’s race, second behind Australian Nick Sloman.
The elite women’s field includes two former champions in Stephanie Houtman (2022) and Michelle Weber (2016 and 2021) with 2023 champion – two-time Olympic gold medallist Sharon van Rouwendaal – choosing to swim in the women’s 31-40 age category.
Today swimmers with disability kicked things off in the morning.
Ahead of the weekend's main races, almost 300 swimmers took part in the 8 and 16-Mile Charity Challenge at Midmar Dam on Thursday and Friday.
A familiar face on the banks of the dam was four-time Olympic medallist Chad le Clos completing a mile in support of those swimming the eight to raise funds for the Chad le Clos Foundation.
Among those who completed this year’s 8-Mile Challenge were fellow Olympic medallist Terence Parkin and aQuellé Midmar Mile race director Wayne Riddin, who was swimming in memory of his brother, his best friend, and several other Midmar stalwarts who have recently passed away.
A total of 12 swimmers completed the gruelling 16-Mile Challenge in support of Happy Bundles, with Reino von Wielligh proving to be the fastest, finishing his races in a combined time of five hours 54 minutes and 43 seconds over the two days.