What started out as a rainy day with mist sporadically rolling in over the Ebenezer Dam turned out to be sunny with perfect swimming conditions that saw Rudolf Naudé and Anel de Vos claiming victory not only in the mile
(1 600 m) but also in the 3 000 m of the 27th annual Ebenezer Mile on Saturday.
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Haenertsburg the event provides loads of fun for amateur swimmers but mostly great opportunity for keen open water athletes.
The event, hosted Old Smokey, the Lepelle Northern Water Recreation Clubhouse for the second time, has been described as a huge success. The venue offers ample open viewing spaces for spectators and the food court, beer garden and coffee stalls contributed to yet another unforgettable occasion.
Media Liaison Officer of Rotary Club of Haenertsburg, Lana Quinn said a total of 436 swimmers took part in this year’s big swim – an increase of 16% since last year and proof that the popularity of the event is still on the rise.
Naude and De Vos repeated their achievements of last year by winning bth items in the male and female categories. Naudé finished the mile in a time of 20:06 and the 3 000 m in 42:12. De Vos clocked in at 20:29 in the mile and 42:16 in the 3 000 m.
Defending champion in the u.13 boys’ category of the mile, Jason Bosman had no worries of sacrificing his title as he claimed victory again with a time of 24:36. André van der Merwe was first to exit the water in the 31 years and over men’s category.
In the category for girls under 13, Jenny Zhang’s time of 25:49 earned her the first place while Pia Stewart top scored in the 31 years and over category with a time of 23:57.
Results
Mile
Boys u.13
Jason Bosman (24:36)
R Potgieter
Ngonidzashe Ndadzibaya
Men 14 to 30 years
Rudolf Naudé (20:06)
Ockert Vermeulen
Bernard Mentz
Men 31 years and over
André van der Merwe
(24:06)
Francois le Roux
Royden Tustin
Girls u.13
Jenny Zhang (25:49)
Donia Smit
B Theron
Women 14 to 30 years
Anel de Vos (20:29)
Marjoné de Beer
Amelia Booth
Women 30 years and
over
Pia Stewart (23:57)
Linda de Nysschen
Sue Seddon
3 000 m
Men’s open
Rudolf Naudé (42:12)
Bernard Mentz
Jan-George Meiring
Women’s open
Anel de Vos (42:16)
Marjoné de Beer
Kate Mulligan
List of sponsors
Smit & Kie Brokers
Smit & Kie supporting brokers:
Louis Naudé – Louis Naudé BrokersMaurice Stander – MC Brokers
Darius Geldenhuys – Smit & Kie Brokers
Du Roi Nursery
Steven’s Lumber Mills
Kirk Group
Rodney Cooper Estates
ZZ2
MC Brokers
NTK Tzaneen
Lepelle Northern Water
Haenertsburg Hardware
Callsave
Energade (Tiger Brands)
Matumi Sawmills
Dr Ryszard Gorbaszewicz
Magoebaskloof Canopy Tours
The Door Group
Canine Security
Iron Crown
Once Upon a Thyme
Haenertsburg Liquor
CTM
The Fruit Farm Group
Tooltric
Story and photos: RC Myburgh
>>rc.observer@gmail.com