Midmar: a weekend in the water
8 February 2007
A record entry of around 18 000 swimmers is expected to converge on the popular Midmar Dam Resort in the heart of the Kwazulu-Natal Midlands this weekend for the 35th annual Midmar Mile.
To cope with the massive field, the organisers have turned to technology to improve the racing experience of the competitors.
'Boost'
Race director Wayne Riddin explained: "The introduction of the Mr Price timing chip has given the Mile the boost we have all been working on for years.
"While we are all a little nervous, as most of the swimmers have never been exposed to chip timing systems before, the new timing system allows us to produce the times almost immediately.
All the swimmers will be required to attach the timing chip to their ankle and complete the race by running over the finish line where their times will be recorded as they cross the recording mats. The previous barcoded tag system will be kept as a
back-up system to test the accuracy, and therefore the same finish procedures will occur.
Another huge advantage during registration in the week leading up to the race was the fact that entrants could check their chip themselves by passing it over the recording mat. As the mat recorded the chip, the swimmers were able to see their details come up on a computer screen.
"This system will increase the accuracy of the times and allow us to sms finishing times within seconds of the swimmer crossing the line," said Riddin.
Activities
While the four races per day are the priority for the organising Seals Swimming Club, there will also be additional activities to attract and entertain some 40 000 people over the two days.
There is a funfair for children to enjoy exciting rides, along with a fleamarket where specialised goods will be on sale, together with numerous food stalls. A number of sponsors have added exciting promotions to the
race this year.
The sound system has been upgraded to a new level that will improve the experience of spectators, while the introduction of a large outdoor TV screen will allow the action at the start and finish to be seen by many more people.
Then, to end off the weekend on a high note, sponsors Halfway Toyota will be giving away a Toyota Yaris worth over a R100 000 in a lucky draw. Each Midmar Mile entrant is automatically entered into the draw.
Saturday programme
Event 1
Starting at 08:30, the first event involves approximately 60 swimmers with disabilities, around 30 development swimmers from the local N3TC-sponsored programme at Sobantu, and the Ironmen/women and Biathlon competitors who tackled the 2007 Comrades Marathon and the recent Dusi Canoe Marathon, as well as the Mile.
All eyes will be on 32-year-old Kerry Koen from Pietermaritzburg as she attempts to become the first Iron Lady to beat the Iron Men after
posting a very fast 7hr 36min Comrades and a 10hr 16min Dusi Canoe Marathon.
Included in the first event will be approximately 40 swimmers who are tackling all eight events to raise money for numerous charities. They are part of the 8-Mile Club, who wear gold caps, and the Game Charity Challenge, who wear pink caps.
Last year's oldest male finisher, 84-year-old Roy Rees, will also swimming be part of the opening race.
Event 2
Starting at 09:45 is the team event for companies. Teams are required to have a minimum of three swimmers each. Defending champions Unilever look set to retain their title once again.
Event 3
Starting at 11:00, the objective of the non-company team event is for swimmers to go out and get companies to sponsor their team. A number of top swimmers use the event to test their direction for the feature races the next day.
The USN team, which is aiming for a hat-trick of wins, includes the likes of leading swimmers
such as Melissa Corfe, Wesley Gilchrist, Rowan Jacobs and Charlton Lawson.
Event 4
Starting at 12:15, the family team event ends off the day. The Mower family has dominated the race for the past two years and will be the team to beat, although a tough combination that could challenge them is the Dias family which includes Shaun, one of the top open water swimmers in the country.
Prize giving for the first day is scheduled for 14:00.
Sunday programme
The events on Sunday get more serious as the age group competitions begin.
Event 1
The opening race at 8:30 is the girls' 13 years-and-under and women 31-years-and-over. The younger girls are always challenged by some rather fit ladies over 30 years and, this year, Rachel Isakov will take the race to the juniors.
She is a strong bet to win the 31-to-40-years category, while Connie Mower should feature in the 41-50 years category. Heather Campbell and
Rita Townsend always have a close race in the 51-60 years, while Anne Jones looks a likely winner in the 61-years-and-over category.
Among the juniors, one can expect up-country swimmers Kera Haupfleish and Bianca Hauser to feature along with KZN swimmers Kristy Muller and Melissa Weber.
The oldest lady to ever finish the race at 83 years, Lorna Cochran, will aim to improve her record to 84 years of age.
Event 2
The men get their turn at 09:45 to challenge the youngsters as well.
The likes of Terry Heller, Julian Taylor and Greg Price will push the juniors all the way. Liam Hunt and Brandon Murray look set to be in that mix.
Event 3
Then, at 11:00, it will be the turn of the ladies' 14-30 years to tackle the main women's race where the clear favourite is 22-year-old Melissa Corfe. Never far off the pace or leading from the front is her way of racing the mile. A previous winner, she could take victory for a second
time.
However, Erika Hajnal is preparing to earn a spot in Hungary's Olympic team and has therefore ending a short training camp in Durban to compete at Midmar. She is not far off Corfe's 800m pace in the pool, which makes her a dangerous threat.
Among the South Africans, Kathryn Meaklim is talented enough to cause a surprise, while Bloemfontein's Louise Smyth, Kirsten Mower and Melanie Greyling cannot be ignored.
Event 4
Finally at 12:15, the men's 14-30 years race will line up, hoping the weather holds. Last year, due to dangerous conditions, the event was cancelled while the swimmers waited at the start line.
This time, in the absence of double winner Troyden Prinsloo, the race is wide open for Chad Ho to get his break.
He has moved up the finish ladder and ended third last time out, with only Prinsloo and Australian Kurtis McGilvray ahead of him. However, a strong challenge will come from Ho's arch-rival Shaun Dias, who will be tough to beat
if the conditions are rough.
Others to keep an eye on include Charlton Lawson, Pieter Swart and Mark de Swart but, once again, there is a Hungarian challenge of which to be aware.
Csabo Gersack, like Erika Hajnal, is aiming for Beijing and will therefore be well prepared. His time over 1 500m in the pool is one of the fastest among the entrants, which makes him a potential winner of the race.
Prize money
To add some excitement and incentives, the two main races carry extra prize money through the 400m, 800m and 1200m hotspots – the leader at these points takes home R800, R1 600 and R2 400 respectively, while the overall winner pockets R5 000.
Source: Midmar Mile
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