Early Bird entries open for 2024 aQuellé Midmar Mile
Organisers of the aQuellé Midmar Mile have announced that Early Bird entries for the iconic race open today, 27 September 2023.
Celebrating its 51st edition in 2024, the aQuellé Midmar Mile will return to the famous KwaZulu-Natal dam from 8-11 February where thousands of swimmers of all ages and abilities will take to the water for another world-class event.
As in previous years, the first two days will be dedicated to those swimmers raising money for charity in the 8 and 16-mile events. An incredible total of R4 million was raised for a variety of official race charities in 2023.
The main race days will be 10 and 11 February 2024, with the elite swimmers diving into action on the 11th. Last year's 50th anniversary event saw Dutch world 10km champion Sharon van Rouwendaal claiming the elite women's title while Durban star Connor Buck took a second straight men's crown.
Entries are now open on the event website (www.midmarmile.co.za) and will cost R295 per swimmer for an Early Bird entry into events 2-8 which take place on both Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th of February 2024. These events include: Company Relay Teams, Non-Company Relay Teams, Family Relay Teams, Girls 13 years and under & Women 31 years and older, Boys 13 years and under & Men 31 years and older, Girls/Women 14 years to 30 years, and Boys/Men 14 years to 30 years.
Early Bird Entries for Event 1 which takes place on Saturday the 10th of February will cost R350 per swimmer. These events include: Disabled, Pope-Ellis Ironman/Ironwoman, Pope-Ellis Comrades Biathlon, Pope-Ellis Dusi Biathlon and the 71 years and older swims.
As the world's largest open water swimming event, the aQuellé Midmar Mile attracts thousands of competitors each year. Last year's total exceeded 10,000 swims across the dam.
Race Director Wayne Riddin said preparations are well underway for next year's event. "The aQuellé Midmar Mile really is one of the most exciting and well-attended open water races in the world," he said.
"It's a must-do activity for anyone wanting to experience such a world-class occasion, and we pride ourselves on the inclusivity of this event: elite swimmers in the same body of water with up-and-coming athletes, schoolchildren, Olympic medallists, beginner racers, disabled swimmers, veterans and all sorts of swimming fans. It really is an event for everybody."
The first of the aQuellé Midmar Mile seeding events will take place at Prime View Adventure & Leisure, Olifantsfontein, Midrand on Saturday, 4 November and Sunday, 5 November 2023. Entries for this event, and the following seeding events, can be made online.
Those fans wanting more information, or to get their Early Bird Entry for the aQuellé Midmar Mile should visit www.midmarmile.co.za for all the details.