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Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon secures BYD as presenting sponsor

Adnaan MohamedNews, Totalsports Two Oceans MarathonLeave a Comment on Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon secures BYD as presenting sponsor
By Adnaan Mohamed

The Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon has entered a new phase after global electric vehicle manufacturer BYD was announced as the race’s official presenting sponsor from 2026.

The partnership marks the first time in the event’s history that the Cape Town race will have a presenting sponsor. The event will now be known as the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD.

Organisers believe the agreement strengthens efforts to elevate the race and align it with sustainability initiatives.

“This is a proud and exciting moment for us as we welcome BYD as Presenting Sponsor of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon from 2026, with the event now officially known as the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD,” said Two Oceans Marathon NPC chairperson Chris Goldschmidt.

“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to excellence, innovation and community. BYD’s leadership in new energy vehicles, including advanced electric mobility solutions, aligns strongly with our vision for a more sustainable future.”

The race, widely known as the “World’s Most Beautiful Marathon”, winds through the Cape Peninsula and attracts thousands of local and international runners each year.

According to race general manager Wade Bromfield, securing a presenting sponsor represents a key milestone in the organisation’s long-term strategy.

“From the outset, our ambition has been to restore and elevate the World’s Most Beautiful Marathon to its former glory. Securing our first-ever Presenting Sponsor marks a major milestone in that journey,” said Bromfield.

“With BYD’s innovation and energy behind us, we are proud to power the next era of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon.”

BYD is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of new energy vehicles, including electric cars, and develops advanced battery technology aimed at reducing emissions. The company is listed on the Hong Kong and Shenzhen stock exchanges.

The Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon has announced BYD as its Official Presenting Sponsor in a landmark collaboration that will see one of the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturers Power one of South Africa’s most iconic endurance events. PHOTO: Adnaan Mohamed

BYD South Africa marketing director for the Middle East and Africa region Nomonde Kweyi said the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.

“As a brand committed to innovation, sustainability, and enhancing everyday mobility, we see tremendous alignment with an event that inspires endurance, passion and progress,” said Kweyi.

“This partnership gives us a unique platform to showcase how clean, efficient and future-focused mobility can enhance major events.”

Kweyi added that runners and spectators will see the brand’s vehicles integrated into the race experience.

“Runners and spectators can look forward to experiencing our vehicles up close from lead and support cars on race day to interactive displays and engagements in the lead-up to the event. We are excited to bring our technology, energy and innovation to the running community.”

The 2026 event programme will include the International Friendship Run on 9 April, the Trail Run on 10 April, the Ultra Marathon on 11 April and the Half Marathon on 12 April.

Caldwell and Lötter Claim Maiden Midmar Mile titles

Adnaan MohamedNews, SwimmingLeave a Comment on Caldwell and Lötter Claim Maiden Midmar Mile titles

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.

Matthew Caldwell wins 2026 Midmar Mile Photo: Midmar Mile

“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.”

Callan Lotter wins Photo: Midmar Mile

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

  1. Callan Lötter – 19:51
  2. Stephanie Houtman – 20:02
  3. Carli Antonopoulos – 20:07
  4. Kirsty Andraos – 21:12
  5. Kiara Banks – 21:14
  6. Sasha-Lee Hemmens – 21:15
  7. Zuria Venter – 21:15
  8. Samantha Randle – 21:42
  9. Megan Shepherd – 21:47
  10. Leah Markgraaff – 21:51

Elite Men

  1. Matthew Caldwell – 18:32
  2. Henré Louw – 18:42
  3. Connor Albertyn – 18:44
  4. Damien Joly – 18:51
  5. Sven van der Linde – 19:27
  6. Wian Bartleman – 19:42
  7. Carter Markgraaff – 19:45
  8. James Kewley – 19:47
  9. Luan Terblanche – 19:52
  10. Shane van der Linde – 19:56

For full results, visit www.finishtime.co.za.

Quix Quicke and George Watson chase historic 50th Midmar Mile swims

Adnaan MohamedNews, Preview, SwimmingLeave a Comment on Quix Quicke and George Watson chase historic 50th Midmar Mile swims

The aQuellé Midmar Mile will celebrate two extraordinary feats of endurance in 2026 when Jill “Quix” Quicke and George Watson line up for their 50th swim at the world’s largest open-water event.

Quicke’s association with the iconic KwaZulu-Natal race stretches back to 1975, when she became one of the first women to compete officially. Just nine years old at the time, the Pietermaritzburg swimmer was already part of a changing chapter in Midmar Mile history.

“My parents said they thought I was good enough to swim the Midmar Mile. My dad took me up to the dam, as my mom was too nervous, in case I never came out the other side,” Quicke recalled.
“The entire girls’ race was about 150 people. We all started together and you had as long as you liked to get across. I think I took 47 minutes.”

Growing up in Pietermaritzburg meant Midmar became a constant on her sporting calendar. She swam every year from primary school through to matric, achieving a best finish of 14th in a competitive field with a time of 21 minutes.

Although university commitments and provincial indoor hockey caused her to miss a handful of editions, Quicke returned to the dam with renewed resolve, often pushing through significant physical setbacks.

“Since completing my degree, I have done the swim consistently just to keep my total ticking over,” she said.
“In 2016 and 2017 I did the 8 Mile Challenge for the Save the Rhino fund. I swam one year after being in hospital the day before with a kidney stone and one year where I was on crutches following a big knee operation.”

In recent seasons, the Midmar Mile has become a family affair.

“In 2019, I swam with my nine-year-old niece, Derryn Millward, for her first time. Since 2019 my niece, my sister, Mary Millward and I have swum together most years, and we are going to try and keep together for the big one this year.”

Now based in Johannesburg, Quicke says the significance of reaching 50 swims has taken time to register.

“I am finding it hard to believe it is my 50th swim as I don’t feel that old, but I am aware that nowadays I have to put in a bit of training to ensure that I can get across,” she said.
“I think other people are more impressed with the milestone than I am, but it is a good feeling to think about the achievement.”

Watson’s Midmar Mile journey began in 1976, a year he describes as pivotal.

George Watson Photo Credit: Action Photo

“A special year for three reasons,” he said. “Firstly, it’s the year I got married, started a new job in finance and swam my first Midmar.”

Now 77, Watson says consistency rather than times was always the objective.

“My goal was not to miss Midmar for as long as I was able.”

Despite that mindset, he recalls one standout performance.

“The year I did my best time, I started late and still managed a 22-minute swim. It was somewhere around 1982/3.”

He has also experienced the race in extreme conditions.

“There was a huge storm in 1978 and waves of at least 2ft. A water polo friend gave up after swallowing half the dam,” Watson recalled.

For Watson, Midmar remains as much about community as competition.

“I made a lot of friends through swimming and water polo, and Midmar was the one place I was sure to connect with them.”

As he approaches his 50th swim, he has no plans to stop.

“I have no particular goal but will swim for as long as I can manage.”

The 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile takes place from 5 to 8 February. While online entries have closed, late entries will be accepted at Midmar Dam on race days, subject to availability.