Last Friday, the 2020 aQuellé Midmar Mile was launched in Pietermaritzburg.
Speaking at the launch was the organiser and two-time winner of the race, Wayne Ridden.
“We’ve got an impressive line-up of international stars, all looking to start off their Olympic qualifying campaigns on a positive note.”
Some of the swimmers competing were South Africa’s seven-time champion, Chad Ho, and the runner-up of last year’s Midmar Mile, Michael McGlynn.
But among those professional swimmers and the 13 000 others who took part, was Vryheid’s own 20-year-old Karl Kohlmeyer.
Kohlmeyer swam his 50th race of a ten-year period this past weekend at the Midmar Mile, and his third race for the Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa (CHOC).
He drummed up an astronomical amount of R12 000 for the organisation, and was the only swimmer from the AbaQulusi area who swam in aid of a charity.
When swimming for a charity, swimmers have to complete the eight mile challenge over the two days, which makes Kohlmeyer part of the exclusive 8 Mile Club.
He developed a passion for swimming from a young age, and took on the Midmar challenge when he was only ten years old.
“I start preparing for this very formidable challenge in October already,” said the student from the University of Pretoria.
The Kohlmeyer family extended its heartfelt appreciation to the community for all the generous contributions towards this very worthy cause.

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