Midmar Mile gets underway

Swimmers of all ages, shapes and sizes tackled the opening four events of the open water swim event.

Race one of the weekend saw both elderly and disabled swimmers take on the Midmar challenge, together with those taking part in the Pope-Ellis Iroman, Ironwoman and Biathlon events.

Mentally impaired Craig Groenewald continued his remarkable Midmar Mile run as he claimed his fifteenth consecutive victory in the Disabled category of the event he holds close to his heart.

“The vibe and all the people is amazing. I enjoy open water swimming and I am getting into it more and more. I was doing pool swimming, but I’m now trying to mix it up,” said Groenewald.

“I do put quite a bit of pressure on myself. I like to win!”

Mike Arbuthnot, founder of the event and Midmar Mile legend, completed his crossing and was the only man to have successfully competed in every Midmar Mile since its inception.

The 81-year-old had a special word for oldest female finisher Lorna Cochran, aged 90, who also completed the race.

“I’m just so very proud of Lorna, and envious,” he said.

“Hers really is a tremendous achievement and I hope she can do many more in years to come!”

Surrounded by her family from start to finish, Cochran shaved over eight minutes off her 2013 time and, as always, dedicated her feat to her family afterwards.

“It was a wonderful, wonderful swim for all the family,” said a strong Cochran after crossing the finish line.

“I must also congratulate all the swimmers, especially all the disabled swimmers. To me, that really is something to be admired and such an achievement. They’re fantastic people!”

Former South African swimmer Melissa Williamson (neé Corfé) had a positive start to her campaign.

“So far so good,” said Williamson. “I really enjoyed last year’s 8-Miles so hopefully we can keep things going for all eight this year.”

UK-based adventurer Sean Conway, who recently became the first person to swim the length of Britain, returned to his homeland to complete his second Midmar Mile after his debut in 1996.

“I did my first one this morning in the same time as I did it in 1996, 33 or 34 minutes,” said Conway after his first of eight 2014 crossings.

“I hadn’t been in the pool for three months so I wasn’t too sure what to expect. The first few hundred meters were a bit of a shock to the system, but by halfway I was fine. By the end of tomorrow, I think I will be hurting a bit though.”

The main races takes place on Sunday at the Midmar Dam.

– Sapa