Kloof gran to swim her 37th Midmar Mile
Melanie Smith (77) entered her first Midmar Mile in 1986. The Kloof gran said she swims at her own pace and for fun.
HIGHWAY grandmother Melanie Smith will tackle her 37th aQuellé Midmar Mile this year.
The 77-year-old will swim under the Family Events category, joined by her grandson, Thomas Askew, who will be swimming his 10th Midmar Mile.
The 50th edition of the World’s Largest Open-water Swim will take place on Saturday, February 11 and Sunday 12.
ALSO READ: Oldest competitor to tackle Midmar Mile aged 91
Going under the name, G and T, short for Gran and Thomas, the duo says they are looking forward to enjoying the event and finishing.
Smith was born in Hillary and spent most of her life there. “I moved to Kloof in 2004.”
She says she has always enjoyed swimming.
“My neighbour built a swimming pool in the 1950s – it was a big deal in those days – very few houses had pools on their properties.”
When she took part in her first Midmar Mile, Smith said she never expected that 37 years later, she would still be doing it. “It was not the intention to do it for so many years; I do it for fun more than anything.”
The freedom that she has when she is in the water is what Smith says keeps her going. “Swimming is good exercise, and it keeps me fit.”
The Kloof resident has always been active in sport as she used to play badminton. “I enjoy cycling, as well.” She also is an avid bodyboarder and enjoys surfing.
The bubbly Smith said she swims the Midmar Mile only in breaststroke. “It is my favourite stroke, and I like to see what is happening next to me,” she says with a laugh.
Her hardest challenge so far was the virtual race during lockdown.
“It was so hard counting the 160 lengths. I did it at Aqua where I train twice a week. I also do lots of training here at home and at Lahee Park Swimming Pool.”
Smith is a mother of four and has eight grandchildren. “All my children have swum the Midmar Mile at least once. Three of my grandchildren have also taken part a couple of times.”
She smiled and added that she needed to organise a long-time service award for her son-in-law, James Askew, who has driven her to the event for more than 20 years.
“I am proud of my achievement but some swimmers have achieved much more, a few even having swum all 49 previous events.”
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