Set for a dam good time
Mrtin Strel of Slovenia is ready to jump into the water. He is one of 17 000 swimmers participating in next week's Midmar Mile. Picture: Archives. Mrtin Strel of Slovenia is ready to jump into the water. He is one of 17 000 swimmers participating in next week's Midmar Mile. Picture: Archives.
The 39th aQuelle Midmar Mile is one of the country’s largest open-water swimming challenges and sees thousands of swimmers put their endurance to the test.
This year the event has attracted 17 000 participants from all over the world, including US swimmers Christine Jennings and Ashley Twichell, who have confirmed they will be participating in the race at the Midmar Dam resort outside Howick next weekend.
The Sunday Tribune caught up with some of the eager participants. Guinness world record-holder Martin Strel, also known as the Big River Man, told the Sunday Tribune he was excited to be in South Africa for the race.
The Slovenian said enthusiastically, “I’m ready to jump into the water. I’ve always wanted to swim the Midmar, it is an international event and it is great to be part of it.”
Strel, who has been a professional swimmer for 24 years, trains about 10 times a week and sometimes more.
Among his accomplishments are swimming the Amazon River, from Atalaya (Peru) to Belem in Brazil.
Strel holds four Guinness Book world records in long-distance swimming.
“Not only do you have to be physically fit, but you must also be mentally fit. You need to understand the race and the challenge,” he said.
Mike Arbuthnot, one of the founding members of the Midmar Mile, said he trained regularly. “I am looking forward to meeting old friends. It’s going to be an enjoyable weekend.”
Arbuthnot has completed every race. “I have swum all 39 marathons and the best thing is that swimming keeps me fit.”
For a man who turns 80 this year he is in good shape.
“I have swum 74 official crossings. This year I will be swimming four events – two on Saturday and two on Sunday.”
Sibani Makhanya, 21, of Pietermaritzburg is another eager contender.
“I am the first black man to participate in the 8 Mile. I am doing this for all the disabled kids and all the people who have inspired me to swim.”
Makhanya has been swimming since the age of 13.
“My friend asked me if I wanted to join his swimming club in 2005.”
Taking swimming seriously, he then moved to Pinetown.
“In 2007, I started swimming the Midmar and this is going to be my sixth race.” Makhanya’s plan is to win the Midmar Mile in 2014.
Race director Wayne Riddin said they had already received 13 000 entries, but by next week the number would have risen to around 17 000.
“Thanks to the exposure Charlene Wittstock gave us, we have managed to draw a bigger crowd this year.”
The Princess of Monaco has confirmed that she won’t be at this year’s race.
“Everything is on track. We hope the weather won’t dampen things because the dam is full and the venue is perfect,” Riddin said.