Matthew Caldwell and Callan Lötter claimed their maiden aQuellé Midmar Mile titles in 2026 through two contrasting but equally decisive performances, showcasing tactical intelligence, fearless execution and open-water mastery.
In the elite men’s contest, Caldwell didn’t just swim the mile, he drew his own map across it. While the front pack surged ahead like a tightly packed shoal, the Johannesburg swimmer peeled off to the right, choosing solitude over the slipstream. It looked risky, even reckless. In reality, it was calculated calm.
Caldwell had boldly predicted before the start that the podium would feature himself, Henré Louw and French Olympian Damien Joly. True to script, the trio, joined early by Connor Albertyn, took control. But as confusion crept into Joly’s navigation around the hotspot markers, Caldwell stayed committed to his wide, lonely arc.
“I just needed to be as wide as possible, not close to anyone. I just didn’t want to be in sight. I wanted to be like an invisible person swimming there,” Caldwell said. “So the plan was just swim my own race in clean water.”
That invisible line carried him home first in 18:32, with Louw second in 18:42 and Albertyn third in 18:44. Joly faded to fourth in 18:51.
“It’s lovely. I’ve been wanting this for a few years now,” Caldwell added. “Henré, myself and Connor on the podium, that’s perfect, that’s how it should be with South Africa on top.”
If Caldwell’s race was about subtlety, Lötter’s was pure authority. Battling rough conditions, the 19-year-old attacked early in the elite women’s race, stretching the field like elastic snapping under pressure. By 400m she was clear; by halfway she led by 12 seconds; by the final marker the gap had ballooned to 19.
She touched the finish in 19:51, while the duel behind her simmered. Former champion Stephanie Houtman claimed second in 20:02, with Carli Antonopoulos third in 20:07. The trio was more than a minute ahead of the rest.
“My plan was to go out comfortable and see where the rest of the people were,” Lötter explained. “And then my plan was only to start building from 400m onwards.”
“It feels really good. It just shows that my training has been working and I’m really happy with how I performed today,” she added, crediting her coach. “Troy has helped me a lot and given me the confidence and made me enjoy the sport again.”
Beyond the elite battles, Midmar’s deeper currents told stories of endurance and legacy. Reino von Wielligh and Gary Albertyn completed the formidable challenge of swimming 32 miles over four days, each marking their 30th Midmar Mile with age-group victories from Von Wielligh in 20:58 (31–40) and Albertyn in 21:18 (51–60).
“It’s something I wanted to do because of my age, 32, 32 miles, raise R32,000,” said Von Wielligh. “I think it was very symbolic.”
The finish line also welcomed legends: seven-time champion and record holder Chad Ho, and 1997 winner Robyn Bradley (now Minogue), who returned after 30 years abroad to finish fourth in her age group.
“It’s a phenomenal swim,” Bradley said. “Just the organisation and how it’s put together. It’s just incredible.”
At Midmar, some swimmers win by disappearing, others by breaking away, but all leave ripples that last long after the water settles.
Top 10 Results
Elite Women
- Callan Lötter – 19:51
- Stephanie Houtman – 20:02
- Carli Antonopoulos – 20:07
- Kirsty Andraos – 21:12
- Kiara Banks – 21:14
- Sasha-Lee Hemmens – 21:15
- Zuria Venter – 21:15
- Samantha Randle – 21:42
- Megan Shepherd – 21:47
- Leah Markgraaff – 21:51
Elite Men
- Matthew Caldwell – 18:32
- Henré Louw – 18:42
- Connor Albertyn – 18:44
- Damien Joly – 18:51
- Sven van der Linde – 19:27
- Wian Bartleman – 19:42
- Carter Markgraaff – 19:45
- James Kewley – 19:47
- Luan Terblanche – 19:52
- Shane van der Linde – 19:56
For full results, visit www.finishtime.co.za.