Challenge on for Red House River Mile

NELSON Mandela Bay is the home of Africa's oldest open water swimming event, the Redhouse River Mile, and organisers have laid out a challenge to residents and other would-be water junkies to participate in the famous test: “Come on! This historic event is another of the country's must do sporting trials, have you ticked the box yet?”

Hundreds of swimmers from around the country will descend on Nelson Mandela Bay for the 87th SPAR Redhouse River Mile which started in 1924, on Sunday February 27, 2011.

"We are looking forward to another great River Mile, hosted once again at Cannonville on the Sundays River with offers an ideal family setting. Bring a picnic and your swimwear and come and make a day of it. Rotary will be providing kids entertainment and Nanaga Farm Stall and a host of exciting vendors will cater for your needs whilst you enjoy the river," said organiser Mike Zoetmulder. 

Over 5 000 spectators and participants will be expected to converge on the little village of Cannonville, just off the N2 on the Sundays River, to witness one of Nelson Mandela Bay’s premier social sporting events and see some of South Africa's top open water swimmers in action.

KZN's Olympian swimmer, Chad Ho, is keen to try and achieve a hat-trick of wins, having won in 2009 and 2010. Having won the race comfortable in 2009 and 2010, Ho will be expecting a greater challenge this year as local open water swimming champions, Chris van de Sande, Hanre Barnard, Jason and Wayne Jones and Michael Marais are all in top form this season.

Two times defending ladies champion, Dominic Dryding from Cape Town is also expected to return and will be well aware of the threat of local swimmer Jessica Roux who has been unstoppable in local competition of late.

Roux will be joined by the Billson siblings, Carmen & Lauren, Rebecca Newman and a host of other equally talented local swimmers who could win their first River Mile title. Boosting the SPAR Redhouse River Mile are supporting open water swimming in Nelson Mandela Bay are Associate Sponsors; aQuellé, AutoTrust, Cerebos, Express Litho, Kingfisher FM, Tavcor Commercial Vehicles, Stormforce and Town Lodge.

Naming sponsors SPAR have committed to the River Mile for a further three years and with the support of nine associate sponsors, the 2011 River Mile features the highest prize pool in the races history. Over R70 000 will be up for grabs in prize money, medals and lucky draw prizes with the top 10 Men and Lady swimmers receiving cash prizes.

In addition to the cash prizes, the Autotrust Winners Jackpot will feature no fewer than 3 Jonway motorcycles which are awarded by lucky draw to the top 5 swimmers in both the Men's Mile and Ladies Mile events. A fourth Jonway motorcycle, valued at over R9,000 will be the feature lucky draw prize for all Mile swimmers.

The 2011 River Mile program will kick off at 9am on Sunday 27th February with the Discovery Tri-it Off Road team and individual triathlon with proceeds being sponsored to the Rotary Club of Port Elizabeth Sunrise. The Discovery Triathlon consists of a 500m swim, 15km Mountain Bike Ride and a 5km Trail Run and is suitable for all ages and abilities.

At 9.30 there will be a 5km Fun Trail run for the fun runners and at 11am the Stormforce preliminary kids races for those kids who aren’t taking part in the Mile swim events. The Stormforce prelim swim sees boys and girls 11/12 years and 10 years and under swimming across the river, approximately 75m, in their separate age groups.

At midday there will be the Disabled and Wetsuit Mile events with the Ladies Mile event starting at 1pm and the Men’s Mile at 1:45pm. This is to be followed by the Future Exotics swimwear fashion show and the main prize giving with the motorcycle giveaway.

Online registration on www.rivermile.co.za is recommended with all online entrants before the 14th February 2011 qualifying for a River Mile t-shirt. Entry forms will be available from SPAR outlets, News Cafe and all leading sports stores from the 15th January. Normal entries will close on 13th February or when the limit of 1,000 has been reached. Late entry fees will apply to all entries accepted after this date. Late entries and the collection of the registration packs and River Mile t-shirts will be done at the Walmer Park shopping centre on Sat 19th, Wed 23rd and Thu 24th February.

Contact Zports on 041 484 7860 for further information.