Bookmark This Sunday
www.MyPE.co.za:
Africa’s best open water swimmer, Olympian Chad Ho, is all set to
arrive in Nelson Mandela Bay to defend this title this weekend at the
86th SPAR Redhouse River Mile which takes
place in the quaint village of Cannonville on the banks of the Sundays
River.
Natalian Ho is fresh
from his sensational win at the Midmar Mile two
weeks ago and has had an exceptional open water swimming season
overseas with numerous podium finishes. Also returning to the city will
be defending ladies champion, Dominique Drying of Western Province who
is also in top form after winning her provincial 10km championships
earlier this year.
Despite being the country’s top swimmer, Ho is not expected to have
things all his own way on Sunday afternoon in the Men’s mile event as
Eastern Province has a handful of open water swimmers who could be
expected to rise to the occasion and upset the pundit’s.
Leading the local charge will be Brandwag High School’s Frank Greeff,
who last year finished second behind Ho, and this year remains
unchallenged in the fortnightly Axxess DSL Ocean Racing Series Crocs
3km Ocean Swim. Also in strong contention is Grey High School’s Chris
van de Sande who has also been unchallenged this season in the Ocean
Racing Series’ SPAR 1km Ocean Swim whilst the experience of two-time
River Mile champion Byron Lockett cannot be under rated.
In the Ladies Mile, EP 10km open water champion Jessica Roux is in top
form following an unbeaten run in the Crocs 3km swims as is Carmel
Billson who has won all the SPAR 1km swims this season.
Further back there are two more swimmers who are destined to stand out
from the crowd this weekend, Ant Skinner will be swimming his 50th
consecutive Redhouse River Mile whilst ever-green Mally Richards will
be hoping to extend his record of the most Mile swims to 56 this year.
“It’s been very unfortunate that we’ve had to relocate this year’s
event to Sundays River because of pollution problems in the Swartkops
River,” said Mike Zoetmulder of Zports, organisers of the event.
“The
relocation and uncertainty surrounding the future of Africa’s oldest
open water swimming event has certainly had a setback for our plans for
ensuring that 2010 would be an attendance record breaking year.
Increased costs of over R50,000 for the relocation have killed our
marketing budget which could have a very negative impact on attendance
this weekend.”
“Following the
success of the past two years, we were anticipating over
1000 entries this year but with the relocation we are falling short of
our target with only just over 700 being confirmed by last night.” said
a disappointed Zoetmulder. “Whilst not the picturesque village of
Redhouse, Sundays River is a fantastic alternative which allows us to
keep with all the traditions of the River Mile. Participants and
spectators are going to be very impressed with what our team has
managed to pull-off in such a short time and the families will have
lots to see and do at the Cannonville slipway this weekend with plenty
of kids entertainment and vendors on offer”.
Entries for the Redhouse River Mile close on Thursday evening with late
entries being accepted at the Cannonville slipway (Sundays River) on
Saturday and Sunday morning up to 90 minutes before the start of the
races. An action packed program has been planned and kicks off with the
Discovery off-road triathlon at 10am on Saturday morning, followed by
the wetsuit Mile at 1pm and the Disabled Mile an hour later. Sunday
starts with the fun Nando’s Preliminary races for kids 12 and under
which comprise of a 50m swim across the river followed by the Celebrity
Mile over the same course at 1.15pm, the Ladies Mile at 1.30pm and the
Men’s Mile an hour later. This year also sees the highest prize money
in the history of the event with cash prizes going to the top 10 male
and female swimmers plus a lucky draw pool which features no fewer than
4 Vuka Scuta’s and 2 Blueseventy swimming wetsuits.
Click HERE to Bookmark This Sunday.
Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation
Go to:MyPE.co.za
