The world’s largest open water swim, dubbed the aQuellé Midmar Mile, was cancelled earlier this month. Despite many attempts to convince the senior management of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the decision was taken in fear of the event becoming a super-spreader of Covid-19. Race director Wayne Riddin said: “It was brought to our attention recently that Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife was not allowing events to take place at their facilities, despite government regulations allowing events within restrictions. I personally requested an urgent meeting on several occasions, but senior management were not able to make themselves available. All documentation was submitted to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, with written permissions in place from the necessary authorities. We have been locked in negotiations until yesterday (Tuesday, March 2) to save the 2021 event.” He continued by stating that they were devastated by the decision, even though they had all their protocols and documentation in place to host the Midmar Mile. This sparked the idea of hosting a Virtual Midmar Mile for 2021 to accommodate the many overseas swimmers who are unable to compete in the Midmar this year. Vryheid’s local open water swimmers took on the challenge when they made their way into the warm waters at Bloemveld Dam on Saturday. Young Cátia Marques, together with Sheila Theron, organised the event and managed to get a total of 17 swimmers to participate in the Mini Virtual Midmar Mile. A small group of swimmers from Piet Retief also joined in and checked their first Midmar Mile off their bucket lists. All the times will be forwarded to the Midmar Mile committee. The organisers congratulate all those swimmers who took part in their very first Midmar Mile. All virtual entries will count for the 2021 Midmar Mile and entrants will receive their medals, racing swim cap, a printable certificate and an official race result. The results are as follows:
Men:
Theo Scheepers – first place;
Hardy Keeve – second place;
Phillip du Plessis – third place;
Leeroy Holmes – fourth place.
Women:
Marisa Becker – first place;
Cátia Marques – second place;
Tracey Friend – third place;
Ronell Keeve – fourth place;
Yvette Barsdorf – fifth place;
Sheila Theron – sixth place;
Shiovani Purchase – seventh place (Piet Retief);
Annari Pienaar – eighth place (Piet Retief);
Carmen Barsdorf – ninth place;
Beverley Pelser – 10th place;
Amanda Vergottini – 11th place;
Monique Koch – 12th place;
Janika van der Linde – 13th place.
Overall results:
Theo Scheepers – first place;
Hardy Keeve – second place;
Marisa Becker – third place;
Cátia Marques – fourth place.
A huge shout-out goes to the Vryheid Boating Club for allowing the swimmers to use the water for two hours. Furthermore, Cátia wants to thank the following people:
– Lukas Marais for arranging with the Boating Club;
– Bruce and Yvette Barsdorf for measuring and marking the route;
– Claude Newberry for the use of the buoys;
– Flip and Renier Malan for water safety;
– Riaan and Ruan Louw, and Hardus van der Merwe for the use of their jet skis;
– Canoeists Jacques Theron, Patrick Friend, Julio Marques, Kyle Barsdorf, Paul Steffensen and Jaco Keeve;
– Sheila Theron for helping to organise the event and to everyone who participated.
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