Organisers of the Midmar Mile have assured swimmers that they are putting every possible measure in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable event.

Flexible dates, no mass starts and masks at registration and the finish are just some of the measures put in place for this year’s event.

“The safety of our swimmers has always been our top priority at the Midmar Mile and considering the current circumstances and the Covid-19 pandemic, this is even more the case,” Race Director Wayne Riddin explained.

Riddin said they know swimmers may be nervous, but they can assure participants that the organizers will take care of them every step of the way.

“The 2021 event has certainly produced some challenges for us as an organising committee but we are confident that we have come up with innovative solutions to meet these head on,” Riddin commented.

Usually held in mid-February, the 2021 Midmar Mile has been postponed to March and will be held over two weekends – 6-7 March and 13-14 March. This means less swimmers converging on the dam at once and a more flexible approach to proceedings.

There will be no mass starts as is usually the case. There will instead be rolling starts with each swimmer’s time being recorded from when they cross the start mat to when they reach the finish. This means no swimmers will congregate at the start or be in close contact with each other.

Thanks to event partners North Safety, swimmers will also be issued with a disposable mask at registration, which they will wear to the water’s edge and then dispose of before swimming. They will then be handed another mask to put on immediately on leaving the water at the finish.

Designated Covid-19 Compliance Officers will be stationed at key points at both the start and finish areas. It will be their job to ensure entrants sanitise hands at allocated points, remain socially distanced, and are wearing masks.

No spectators will be allowed at the Midmar Mile. Instead, if a minor is swimming, their parent or guardian will have to wait for them in the allocated car park after registration is complete.

“There won’t be the usual events, splitting up men and women and the various age groups. This means that families can swim together and don’t need to head to the dam on consecutive weekends,” Riddin concluded.

For more information on the race or any inquiries, contact the race office on 0861 643627 or simply email them at entries@midmarmile.co.za.

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