The Halfway Toyota Midmar Mile will be setting the record straight on February 13th and 14th as it establishes itself as the world’s largest open water swimming event.
Showcasing the world 10K champion Keri-Anne Payne, the Halfway Toyota Midmar Mile may reach the magical 20,000 participant entry mark this year.
Similar to Julian Crabtree‘s unprecedented swims at the Great Swims in Great Britain, Terence Parkin will attempt to swim 16 miles over the two days at the Midmar Mile at part of a fundraising effort for the Deaf Association.
The growth of the Midmar Mile has been phenomenal over the years due to the untiring efforts and vision of race director Wayne Riddin:
1974 – 153 swimmers
1975 – 220 swimmers
1976 – 634 swimmers
1977 – 1,021 swimmers
1978 – 1,426 swimmers
1979 – 1,892 swimmers
1980 – 2,500 swimmers
1981 – 3,000 swimmers
1982 – 3,000 swimmers
1983 – unknown
1984 – 2,555 swimmers
1985 – 2,454 swimmers
1986 – 3,200 swimmers
1987 – 3,500 swimmers
1988 – 3,916 swimmers
1989 – 3,700 swimmers
1990 – 4,000 swimmers
1991 – 4,890 swimmers
1992 – 4,400 swimmers
1993 – 4,724 swimmers
1994 – 5,027 swimmers
1995 – 6,140 swimmers
1996 – 6,925 swimmers
1997 – 7,774 swimmers
1998 – 9,600 swimmers
1999 – 10,045 swimmers
2000 – 10,045 swimmers
2001 – 12,214 swimmers
2002 – 13,218 swimmers
2003 – 16,050 swimmers
2004 – 17,332 swimmers
2005 – 17,087 swimmers
2006 – 16,696 swimmers
2007 – 16,853 swimmers
2008 – 19,013 swimmers
2009 – 17,575 swimmers
We are confident the 2010 Halfway Toyota Midmar Mile will set another Guinness World Record.
Note: Julian Crabtree‘s 44-mile effort at the Great Swims was nominated as one of the World’s Great Swims of 2009. Online voting is still open here.
Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association