The seeding season leading up to the 2018 aQuellé Midmar Mile started off with a splash when several Carletonville
swimmers took part in the Dis-Chem Sun City Swim on Saturday, 21 October.
Fifteen members of the Carletonville Swimming Club took part in the 20th anniversary event.
The day started with a 3 km swim for highly experienced open water swimmers who included Anke Freese in
a time of 01:01:13; Annalisa Freese – 01:07:08; Markus Homan – 01:07:21; Sharlene van Niekerk – 01:05:26 and
Tammy van Niekerk – 00:57:47. Anke’s achievement was particularly noteworthy because this was the first time that
this brave girl has tackled the 3 km swim.
The event was followed by a series of 1.5 km races for every age and gender category. Once again, the local swimmers
notched up excellent swimming times.
Ben van Niekerk came in at a time of 00:35:20; Bianca Janeke – 00:29:24; Caitlin Doran – 00:28:26; Divan Grove
– 00:27:42; Julian Rheeder – 00:28:09; Kealeboga Khoza – 00:35:04; Rameez Mabanga – 00:38:34; Sharlene van Niekerk – 00:33:48 and Tammy van Niekerk – 00:28:42.
The event finished off with a 600- metre no timing fun swim, which was a perfect opportunity for novices to experience the thrill of open water for the first time.
Although the event is immensely popular with families, it should not be underestimated and participants still have
to train hard for it. Aaliya Mabanga; Gerrie Grove (coach); Kealeboga Khoza; Minke Rheeder and Tammy van Niekerk took up the challenge.
‘We all had a load of fun in the sun, afterwards, enjoying free entry to Valley of the Waves and just enjoying
ourselves. Thank you to all our supporters,’ Annalisa Freese said after the event.