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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.

Making waves at Midmar: Louw and Caldwell front SA’s men’s charge

Adnaan MohamedNews, SwimmingLeave a Comment on Making waves at Midmar: Louw and Caldwell front SA’s men’s charge
By Adnaan Mohamed

Like two powerful swimmers sighting the buoy and surging with intent, Henré Louw and Matthew Caldwell are set to lead South Africa’s men’s charge at the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile, determined to stop the foreign tide from washing over the podium for a third straight year.

With New Zealander Louis Clark (2025 winner) and Australian Nick Sloman (2024 champion) absent from the starting pontoon, the waters look ripe for a local breakthrough. But standing like a steady cross-current is three-time French Olympian Damien Joly, whose presence adds an unmistakable edge to the 5–8 February showdown.

Caldwell, who finished third last year, has no hesitation in calling his shot, speaking with the calm certainty of a swimmer who trusts his stroke count.

“I think I’ll call it now: top three, not in order, but top three will be amongst Henré Louw, Damien Joly, the French swimmer, and myself,” said Caldwell.

“We will be fighting for first, second, and third, us three, I think. That’s my opinion. There are a lot of other swimmers that are looking good at the moment, but right now I think in my books that’s the top three.”

Louw, twice the bridesmaid at Midmar, agrees that Joly is a major threat, but believes the race will be deeper than just three names treading water at the front.

“There are still other good guys like Sven van der Linde, who’s also going to be there, and there are a few guys that definitely can show up on the day, like Connor Albertyn as well,” Louw said.

“But I reckon that’s going to be the five guys in the mix that’s going to be really racing for the win.”

The numbers back him up. Connor Albertyn and Sven van der Linde finished fifth and sixth respectively in 2025, but the pair tasted silver and bronze the year before, proving how quickly fortunes can change in open water where tactics ebb and flow.

For Louw, the focus is on sharpening the final surge, the moment where races at Midmar are often won or lost like a perfectly timed kick at the wall.

“Last year I did not finish as well as I wanted to finish,” he admitted.

“I think my last 400 meters last year was a bit of an issue, like I didn’t pick up my kick rate and my stroke rate as much as I should have.”

He knows that at Midmar, execution is everything, from pacing to positioning.

“And just exiting really well is also something I would definitely have to focus on if I want to beat these guys.
At Midmar, some years, the one line is faster than the other line. So you’re definitely going to have a few practice swims to see how well you can execute the race.”

Caldwell recently edged Louw with a cleaner exit during the final seeding swim in Midrand, a detail that could loom large when the dam turns into a boiling cauldron of arms and spray. Confidence, though, flows freely through his camp.

“I’ve been training very hard and the results will show,” he said. “They’ll be good. They’ll be good.”

Beyond the medals and margins, it’s the Midmar magic that keeps drawing him back, year after year.

“Just the people, the experience, just the environment. It’s a very nice weekend away. Nice place, good food, good people, good music. The weekend’s just lovely. I love the racing as well.”

Online entries for the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile have now closed. Swimmers still hoping to dive in can enter on the day at Midmar Dam, but are advised to arrive early as places are limited.

For more information, visit www.midmarmile.com

Keri Miller dives back into Midmar with family, fitness and heart in tow

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, News, SwimmingLeave a Comment on Keri Miller dives back into Midmar with family, fitness and heart in tow
By Adnaan Mohamed

Like a confident swimmer slipping into familiar waters, popular KwaZulu-Natal radio personality Keri Miller is set to make another splash at the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile, taking place from 5–8 February.

The co-founder of digital radio station PlayZN has confirmed she will line up in the family race on Saturday, combining strokes with sentiment as she swims her third Midmar Mile, while also serving as an ambassador for Mr Price Sport, one of the event’s key sponsors.

Miller won’t be navigating the Midmar waters solo. Instead, she’ll be buoyed by a strong family current, swimming alongside her sister, brother-in-law, niece and two nephews.

“As a family, last year was our first time swimming Midmar together and we absolutely loved it,” she said.

Her Midmar journey began almost by accident in 2024, sparked by an interview with race director Wayne Riddin and the lure of one of South Africa’s most iconic sporting keepsakes.

“It’s a really great towel,” she joked.

By 2025, the hook was firmly set.

“For the 2025 race, my sister had already entered her whole family and I thought, if [my niece] Charli-Rose can swim it at six, then nothing is stopping me. It felt like one of the best family days we could ever have together. Such a cool memory to make.”

Miller says the aQuellé Midmar Mile fits seamlessly with her philosophy of active, connected living.

“Considering I have a radio station called PlayZN, I’m a huge supporter of anything that gets us outside, off our phones and into our bodies. For anyone who’s had the privilege of learning to swim, this is one of the most satisfying things you can do. And everyone loves a medal. It’s such a celebration of how beautiful Midmar is.”

Her role as a Mr Price Sport ambassador adds another deeply personal layer to the experience.

“It’s a beautiful reminder that I’m in a strong, healthy body and that at 43 I can move happily and pain-free. Being able to represent a local brand in a local race feels special. I’m grateful and I hope to see more women my age shifting how they think about and treat their beautiful bodies.”

Preparation-wise, Miller is keeping her training balanced, mixing calm control with respect for Midmar’s unpredictable conditions.

“I’ll do some training with Nix O’Driscoll, who is a wonderful coach and will give me all the pointers, and then keep some sea swimming going because we know Midmar is not flat!”

Yet, for all the fitness and finish times, it’s the family moments that remain her emotional anchor.

“Spending time with Matt, Brad and Charli. Those three are everything to me… I just want to be present, cross that finish line together and get our family photo at the end. I get teary even thinking about it. I’m obsessed with those little humans.”

Reflecting on why the event continues to draw thousands into the water each year, Miller believes the magic lies in its accessibility.

“The sense of accomplishment at the end is huge and it’s so doable. You don’t have to be elite to compete. It’s the perfect race.”

Entries for the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile are now open, with early-bird entries closing on 21 December. More information is available at www.midmarmile.com