It was the 44th annual aQuellé Midmar Mile held at the Midmar Dam north of Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday.
He finished the race, which is equivalent to about 1.5km, in 42:24 and took 23rd place overall in the 60 to 70 years age group.
Read: Ten-year-old swims first Midmar Mile
“This race offers swimmers of all ages an opportunity to be part of the biggest open-water swims in the world,” he says.
He found his 21st race to be much easier than the previous races, but says he doesn’t know why.
The swimmers had good conditions to swim in although Marcus claims the water can become rough with all the swimmers making waves.
He discovered his love for swimming at school level.
The Midmar Mile has been on his to-do list for the past 21 years since he took a break from swimming after he left school.
“Once you get into the water you set your rhythm and focus on the finish line,” he says.
He sees himself as a social athlete who enjoys swimming the Midmar Mile, but doesn’t want to compete professionally.
This is the only swimming event he enters; otherwise he stays fit by taking part in fun walks and often cycles.
“I only practise in the swimming pool at home,” he says.
Read: Blackfin’s swimmers go to Midmar
Marcus’ aim is to get 25 Midmar Miles behind him; only then will he consider retirement.
“But that depends on how my body reacts to the distance by then – but only time will tell,” he says.
The aQuellé Midmar Mile prides itself on raising money for charities through the efforts of some brave swimmers tackling all eight miles over the two days.
