Resident completes largest Midmar Mile alongside family

The 52nd aQuelle Midmar Mile on February 8 will be etched in the memory of Benoni Northerns Athletic Club member Marc Daniel for many reasons.

With over three decades participating in the annual race, this year Marc had the pleasure of undertaking the crossing with the most valued people in his life.

He has been a permanent fixture at the world’s longest open water swimming event in Howick for the past 33 years, having completed his first crossing of the Midmar Dam in 1992, aged nine.

But that splash across the dam in 1992 doesn’t compare to this year’s event when Marc had his young family swim alongside him.

“It’s a journey that started 33 years ago. I completed my first crossing of the Midmar Mile at the age of nine. I have been fortunate enough to return to the event each and every year from then on.

This year’s event was by far my most memorable swim, having my wife and two children by my side,” he said.

He finished the mile 54th in his event after reaching the shore in 30:46. He was the 38th man at the finish and eighth in the open men’s 41 to 50 category.

In the family relay, he clocked 54:40 with his daughter by his side, his wife Robyn finished in 59:31 with their son Tyler by her side.

“The Midmar Mile has never only been about the event, but about the journey it has created for me each year,” he said.

also Read: Damn, Daniel! Marc dazzles in the Midmar Dam for the 25th year, this time for charity

Also Read: #Northerns50years: Daniel family proud members of Northerns