WHILE the Midmar Mile celebrated its 50th anniversary recently, three swimmers and Northlands Boys’ High School (now Northwood) old boys had much to celebrate in personal milestones.
Paul Blackbeard, Quieren Kohler and Mike Raubenheimer finished in first, second and third in the 60-plus category.
The trio were also all matriculated in the class of 1975 and were members of the Queens Park Swimming Club.
Blackbeard, who lives in Australia, is a former Midmar Mile winner and current world-record holder in masters’ swimming and finished in a time of 00:21:06.
Kohler finished in a time of 00:24:19 and is a former KZN swimmer with provincial records under his belt.
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Raubenheimer, a Durban North resident and a former English Channel swimmer and Master’s Lifesaving champion, said he was pleased with the performances which saw him finish in third position in a time of 00:24:56.
“I was pleased with the results, considering the level of competition and the huge turnout of competitors. I have done half a dozen or so Midmar Miles. It’s my first time back at Midmar for nearly 20 years as I was more focused on long-distance surf swims. However, due to the sea being so polluted, most of our surf swims were cancelled last year, so this was an ideal opportunity to compete again.
“What I found interesting was that three Northlands Old Boys, circa 1975, were on the podium. I didn’t realise until Roy Hodgkinson, a fellow old boy and water-polo player from Queens Park Swimming Club, pointed it out. I think it is quite a testimony to the swim coaches that Queens Park had in those days,” he enthused.
Raubenheimer added that he will be back at next year’s race.
“Although I will be a year older, I will aim for a win in the 60-year-plus category. Hopefully, my mate, Paul Blackbeard, doesn’t pitch,” he quipped. “It’s a tall ask to beat the current Master World Champ. I will have to do more training with local Durban North super coach Sarah Houston,” he said.
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