Reigning champions Chad Ho (Morningside, Durban) and Michelle Weber (Franschhoek) together with Danie Marais (Clifton) will lead the charge at the 5th annual Sanlam Cape Mile brought to you by Sanlam Investments at the Eikenhof Dam (Elgin Grabouw Country Club) on Sunday, 17 February 2019.
In 2017 Ho secured his first Sanlam Cape Mile title in an impressive time of 17 minutes 48 seconds. In 2018 he successfully defended his title crossing the finish line first in 19 minutes 08 seconds.
“The Sanlam Cape Mile is an awesome event,” says Ho. “The setting is beautiful and the atmosphere is fun. I really enjoy seeing people take part in open water swimming, no matter what their level of expertise. The 2019 prize purse is fantastic. There is no other swim in South Africa that has such a great prize purse or incentive to swim. It definitely draws both elites and aspiring open water swimmers. We are all going for the same goal which will only grow the competition. The event caters for all levels of swimming from open water newcomers to that of the masters, triathletes and elites.”
Ho will face tough competition from Danie Marais. Marais claimed gold at the inaugural Sanlam Cape Mile in 2015 in a lightning fast time of 17 minutes 41 seconds. According to Marais, the Sanlam Cape Mile is one of the best organized swimming events in South Africa. “The event is professionally organized and has an amazing atmosphere,” says Marais. “My 2019 goal is to win the Sanlam Cape Mile for the second time. Every single person in the water during the Elite Race is considered to be competition. The impressive prize purse means a lot to elite swimmers. A lot of effort is put into training to succeed. It also encourages healthy competition, in so doing helping the sport to grow.”
Weber holds the record of the most victories at the Sanlam Cape Mile having claimed victory three out of four times (2015, 2016 and 2018) in the women’s Elite Race.
“I always keep my calendar open for the Sanlam Cape Mile,” says Weber. “It’s the largest open water event in the Western Cape. It is extremely well organized, it’s well supported and it features an elite race. Winning for the third time last year was overwhelming. The event attracts a lot of entries and has a separate event for the Elites, making the win extra special. My goal for 2019 is definitely to win. The 2019 event also boasts an impressive prize purse that is sure to result in a lot of competition, giving spectators an interesting race to watch.”
The 2019 Sanlam Cape Mile Elite Race will start at 10:45. Be sure to arrive early for a front row seat to the action!
EVENT INFORMATION: Sanlam Cape Mile brought to you by Sanlam Investments
Celebrating its 5th anniversary at the Eikenhof Dam (Elgin-Grabouw Country Club, Western Cape) on Sunday, 17 February 2019, the Western Cape’s premier open water swim, the Sanlam Cape Mile brought to you by Sanlam Investments will boast two exciting distances: a 1 mile (1.6km) and a refreshing 500m swim.
| Date: | Sunday, 17 February 2019 |
| Venue: | Eikenhof Dam (Elgin-Grabouw Country Club, Western Cape) |
| Events: | 1 mile / 5x 1 mile / 500m individual / 500m team relay (4 members per team) |
| Categories & Entry Fees: | 1x mile / R200.00
5x mile / R600.00 500m / R100.00 500m team relay (4 member team) / R400.00 (R100.00 per swimmer) |
| Start Times: | 08:30 – 1 mile
Male and Female U/13 5x 1 mile – Charity Mile Swim |
| 09:15 – 1 mile
Male & Female 41-50 years 5x 1 mile – Charity Mile Swim |
|
| 10:00 – 1 mile
Male & Female 31-40years 5x 1 mile – Charity Mile Swim |
|
| 10:45 – 1 mile
Male & Female: Elite 5x 1 mile – Charity Mile Swim |
|
| 11:30 – 1 mile
Male & Female 14-30 years 5x 1 mile – Charity Mile Swim |
|
| 12:15 – 500m
Male & Female: U/13 Male & Female: Open |
|
| 12:45 – 500m:
Parents and Children |
|
| 13:25 – 4 x 500m Team Relay |
The first 2 000 swimmers (entered and paid) will receive a technical event t-shirt, while all swimmers will receive a branded swimming mesh bag and finisher Medal.
Entrants and spectators can enjoy a hot Rialto coffee before, during and after the action. Finishers can look forward to an ice cold Coca Cola when they cross the finish line, while Spur will ensure that nobody goes home hungry. All entrants stand a chance to win spectacular prizes during prize giving complements of the event’s swimwear apparel partner, Funkita/ Funky Trucks.
Live Entertainment: Entrants and spectators will be treated to sweet sounds compliments of prominent South African pop band, the Stone Jets. “The Sanlam Cape Mile will be our first open water swim,” admits Given Nkanyane (vocals and bass). “It never ceases to amaze us where music seems to fit in. We cannot wait. We look forward to seeing people conquer both their mental and physical fears. Hopefully our music will help them acknowledge and celebrate their victories. Swimmers can expect a swell of sweet sounds and songs of strength and success.”
Twitter: @CapeMile
Facebook page: Cape Mile
Instagram: @cape_mile
The Sanlam Cape Mile brought to you by Sanlam Investments is the perfect warm-up swim for the largest XTERRA in the world, XTERRA Grabouw which will take place at the same venue the following weekend (Saturday, 23 and Sunday, 24 February 2019).
For more information or to enter the Sanlam Cape Mile please visit www.stillwatersports.com, contact Stillwater Sports on 082 991 0045 or email [email protected]
ABOUT THE SANLAM GROUP
Sanlam is a leading financial services group listed on the JSE Limited and the Namibian Stock Exchange. Established in 1918 as a life insurance company, the South Africa-based Sanlam Group has transformed into a diversified financial services business. Through its four business clusters – Sanlam Personal Finance, Sanlam Emerging Markets, Sanlam Investments and Santam ̶ the Group provides comprehensive and tailored financial solutions to individual and institutional clients across all market segments.
The Group’s areas of expertise include insurance, financial planning, retirement, trusts, wills, short-term insurance, asset management, risk management and capital market activities, investment and wealth. The Group operates in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, India, Malaysia and the United Kingdom and has business interests in the USA, Australia and the Philippines. It has a stake in leading global micro-insurance specialists, UK-based Micro-Ensure Holdings Limited, which has a footprint across Africa and India servicing more than 10 million enrolled clients.
Visit www.sanlam.com or follow us at @sanlam.
ISSUED BY: Newsport Media
ON BEHALF OF: Stillwater Sports