Oldest competitor to tackle Midmar Mile aged 91
Lorna Cochrane aims to complete the Midmar Mile at the age of 91.
Ninety-one-year-old Lorna Cochran will be returning to defend her title as the oldest ever finisher of the aQuellé Midmar Mile, which she achieved in 2014, finishing the race at the incredible age of 90.
Cochran’s participation in the Midmar Mile began at the age of 74 when she was looking for a new challenge after she was dropped from the second to the third team at her tennis club, despite the fact that she had beaten the player promoted in her place in both singles and doubles.
When she first took on the Midmar Mile in 1998, it was the first time she had swum competitively since she was in school 60 years earlier.
Her training begun with her swimming about 50 metres at a time before having to float and rest on her back. Since then, she has completed 16 consecutive Midmar Mile races.
An inspirational figure, Cochran’s achievements were recognised in 2013 when she was nominated by the World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) for its Woman of the Year Award.
Cochran admitted that her build-up to the Mile has not been without a few bumps in the road.
“I’ve had a few health problems. They’ve given me all sorts of funny medication, which doesn’t really agree with me. Apart from that, I am perfectly well and things seem to have settled down. I just feel somehow that this year, up to now, I haven’t put in as much training as I normally do. The weather has been very otherwise.”
“I will keep training and hope for the best,” she added. “At 91 years old, you don’t say “I am going to do this” or “I am going to do that”. It’s a bit ridiculous, but I will give it my best shot.”
She will joined by “Lorna’s Gang”, consisting of 11 family members covering an incredible four generations, the youngest being eight-year-old Jessie-Clare. Her son, Greg Cochran, who lives in Australia, will also be participating.
Neil Cochrane, who organises the “Gang”, said, “We swam the Midmar Mile for the fun of it. Once Mom did it, she became the motivation for everyone else in the family.”
