Although this, the biggest open water swimming event in the world, takes place every February, its organisers announced this week that it was postponing the race for another month due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Safety is always the highest prio- rity at the aQuellé Midmar Mile,” said the race director, Wayne Riddin. “This year, we have many additional considerations with Covid-19 and mini- mising the risk of transmission at events. We also respect the pressure that hospitals and medical staff are under at this time. Time on duty, plus the possibility of a medical emergency at the event would only place further demands on the medical staff, which, we would all agree, is unnecessary.” Riddin added that “current regulations do not allow for swimmers to train in open water and many are struggling to find a pool while dams, rivers and beaches remain closed to swimming. The postponement to 13 and 14 March will give entrants extra time to prepare for what will be the 48th Midmar Mile.” According to Annalisa Freese, one of Carletonville Swimming Club’s star members, local swimmers are still practising, even though all compe titions have been postponed until further notice.
