 |
Swim series boost for Midmar Mile
1 October 2004
Plenty of cash has been plowed into the new Telkom Virgin Active Swimming Challenge Series, a series of nine qualifying races for the world's largest open water swim, the Halfway Telkom Midmar Mile, with over R10 000 on offer at each event.
The races take place at nine venues around South Africa, and they serve as the only official seeding events for the Midmar Mile, which takes place on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 February 2005.
The primary focus of the new series is for swimmers to improve their seedings for the Midmar Mile by competing in the one-kilometre races at the events. At the same time, newcomers to open water swimming can take part in an introductory level 500 metre swim.
Those swimmers of a more competitive nature will have the opportunity to compete over a distance of five kilometres, from which they could qualify for international level competitions.
The series kicks off at the Hazelmere Dam in Durban on 17 October,
closely followed by the next four events on consecutive weekends. Two races take place in November, one in early December, and then three in January, with the final one happening on 16 May at Germiston Lake.
Series dates and venues
17 October, Hazelmere Dam, Durban
24 October, Klerksdorp Dam, Klerksdorp
31 October, Albert Falls Dam, Pietermaritzburg
7 November, Maselspoort Dam, Bloemfontein
14 November, Roodeplaat Dam, Pretoria
5 December, Midmar Dam, Howick
2 January 2005, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
9 January 2005, Nahoon Dam, East London
16 January 2005, Germiston Lake, Ekhuruleni
Event formats
07:00, 5km, all ages (men & women)
09:00, 1km, girls 13 & under/ women 31 & over
09:50, 1 km, boys 13 & under/ men 31 & over
10:40, 1km, women 14 to 30
11:30, 1km, men 14 to 30
12:20, 500m, all ages (men & women)
The prize money available for the top competitors is R10
200 per event, with money divided equally between men and women, as follows:
5km
Overall: 1st R500; 2nd R250; 3rd R150.
1km
14-30 years: 1st R1000; 2nd R300; 3rd R200.
13 years & under: 1st R250; 2nd R125; 3rd R100.
31-40 years: 1st R250; 2nd R125; 3rd R100
41-50 years: 1st R250; 2nd R125; 3rd R100
51-60 years: 1st R250; 2nd R125; 3rd R100
61 years & over: 1st R250; 2nd R125; 3rd R100
500m
Overall: 1st R150; 2nd R100; 3rd R75
Online entries will also be available at Pietermaritzburg Sports Promotions. Entry forms can also be printed from the website.
Inquiries can be made to PMB Sports Promotions at (033) 394 6497 during office hours.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
The peaceful Midmar Dam is turned into a froth of white water when the Midmar Mile is swum (Photo: Midmar Mile) |
|
|
