The Midmar Mile is awe-inspiring. To stand on the bank at the start and look across the water at the finish a mile away, creates the impression this race so richly deserves. Before you lies a stretch of open water well marked on either side by gigantic marker buoys at regular intervals. Far-off on the opposite bank, the hubbub and techno-buzz of the finish marquees. Beyond that, the colour and splash of the mardi gras-like finish. Behind all that, alone on the hill stands a gigantic tree, a point to aim for. This then is the course of the Midmar mile.
EVENT PROGRAMME
| Day |
Event |
Distance (m) |
Time |
Category |
|
1 |
1,600m |
08:15:00 |
Iron Man/Iron Woman, Biathlon, Disabled |
|
1 |
1,600m |
08:30:00 |
Girls 13 & under, women 31 & over |
|
2 |
1,600m |
09:45:00 |
Boys 13 & under, men 31 & over |
|
2 |
1,600m |
09:45:00 |
Family team |
|
3 |
1,600m |
11:00:00 |
Company team |
|
3 |
1,600m |
11:00:00 |
Women 14 to 30 |
|
4 |
1,600m |
12:15:00 |
Men 14 to 30 |
|
4 |
1,600m |
12:15:00 |
Non-company team |
PRIZES AND GIVE-AWAYS
All finishers in all events receive a medal. For the disabled event gold medals are awarded to each of the category winners. In the company team event the first five swimmers in the winning team receive a gold medal and a floating trophy. Gold, silver and bronze medals go to the first three finishers in the Iron Man/Iron Woman and Biathlon events.
For the remaining events, the categories are split up as follows: 13 years and younger, 14 to 30, 31 to 40, 40 to 50, finally 51 and over. The first five male and female finishers in each category receive gold medals, and the next five positions win silver. Numerous cash prizes are also awarded in each event and category. Only swimmers that are seeded as red caps are eligible for prizes.
WATER QUALITY
The water is clean but not clear. Visibility is two to three metres. The lack of clarity is due largely to disturbances from swimmers and boats from preceding events. While there is sometimes a small clump of reeds at the start, there are no other obstructions over the length of the race.
LAYOUT
The Midmar Mile is a point-to-point race which poses its own set of logistical challenges. The start and finish venues are relatively far apart and the organisers have arranged for buses to travel continually between the start and finish points.
Depending on the water level, the start is sometimes on the bank and a short run may be required at the start and the finish. However, since the dam wall has been raised, almost every swim has had a water start, so this appears to have become the norm. Large buoys are placed in the water 400 metres apart to help with direction and time keeping.
FACILITES
The start area has a well-appointed registration tent, chemical toilets and starting pens. Once you have been through registration, volunteers write your race number on your arm and leg for identification purposes. Just before your race, all participants are gathered into start pens depending on seeding. Each seeded group is released at predetermined intervals to reduce the number of people entering the water at any given time. The finish venue has excellent facilities; food and drink stalls, craft stalls and a children's fairground. This creates a carnival atmosphere for both swimmers and supporters.
To cope with the start and finish logistics it is advisable to arrive at the finish, park your car and catch the bus to the start. If you have not pre-registered, you can register on arrival at the starting point. Be aware that although the shuttle system works very well, the wait in the queue can be as long as 20 minutes.