Runners from the Roodepoort Athletics Club swapped out their running shoes for swimming costumes earlier this month.
Sharon Booysen, Joy Erasmus, Dale Rynhoud and Vincent Meyer participated in the aQuellé Midmar Mile just outside of Pietermaritzburg.
The occasion marked ten consecutive years Rynhoud has participated in the competition while this was Erasmus’ 11 th time participating.
Rynhoud is no stranger to long distance events as his done 26 Comrades Marathon events.
“I did my first Midmar with Joy ten years ago since I enjoy doing rather than watching. The first one is always nerve wrecking because it’s open water but after that first experience it became enjoyable to participate. I am aiming for my 27th Comrades event then after I’d like to participate in the half Iron Man,” he said.
Rynhoud was not the only one who went to the Midmar Mile, Meyer also participated in his fourth consecutive race.
“It started with trying to help my friend lose weight and since he enjoyed swimming, I challenged him to participate in the Midmar. To show my support I joined him and we’ve been doing it every year. The first part of the race is overwhelming as you see the distance that you have to swim but when you’re halfway the fear disappears and you want to do well,” he said.
Booysen who was there with her daughter Erasmus has been going to the Midmar Mile for 13-years but as only a spectator and assistant.
“Before I was the clothes carrier for a team from my work and It was always nice to watch. However two year ago I had to undergo a knee operation which meant I could no longer run the Comrades Marathon which I have participated in 18 of them. So for me the next challenge was Midmar. The distance of the swim did not scare me but swimming in open water was a bit nerving. But once I came out of that water and finished my swim, an unbelievable emotion just overwhelmed me similar to that I’ve experience when I crossed the finish line at Comrades,” she said.
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