The women’s race at the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile is shaping up to be a cracker with a mix of seasoned campaigners, consistent podium performers and aspiring champions lining up at the start on 8 February.
Last year’s winner, Catherine van Rensburg, will not be back to defend her title, opening the door for a new champion to be crowned. Van Rensburg confirmed her decision to sit out the race as she shifts her focus back to the pool.
“My coach, Rocco Meiring, and I decided that it would be best for me to focus on training for Senior Nationals, with the goal of qualifying for the Commonwealth Games,” she said. “Midmar was an amazing experience in the past, and I’m very grateful to have been part of it, but for now my focus is fully in the pool.”
Despite her absence from the start, Van Rensburg will still be closely following the action. “I’m really looking forward to watching all the women participating in Midmar and will especially be keeping an eye on the Tuks swimmers – Callan Lötter, Carli [Antonopoulos], and Stephanie [Houtman],” said the Pretoria swimmer.
With Van Rensburg out, attention turns to Callan Lötter, who finished second in 2025 and returns with growing confidence after another solid year of racing, which included three impressive 16th-place finishes at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Lötter, who is national open water champion over 1.5km, 5km and 10km, said her preparation has been good so far. “My training has been going well and I’m proud of the work I have been putting in, for Midmar and SA open water nationals,” she said.
While much of her build-up has been geared towards longer distances, she added that her programme has been well-balanced. “Our training focuses on all aspects of what will be needed in the race,” she explained.
Asked about her chances of stepping onto the top of the podium this time around, Lötter was measured in her response. “Last year’s second place gave me valuable experience and confidence. My focus this year is on executing a good race and seeing where that puts me.
“Everyone diving off the pontoon on the day will be my main rivals.”
The 2026 race will mark the 19-year-old’s third aQuellé Midmar Mile, and the appeal remains strong. “What brings me back is the atmosphere that is created at Midmar allowing it to be an enjoyable experience and that the race is unique,” she explained.
Meanwhile, another name likely to feature is Stephanie Houtman, who has a long and successful history at Midmar, including victory in 2022 and a podium finish again in 2025 after a first-ever tie for third place with visiting New Zealand swimmer Ruby Heath.
For Houtman, this year is about enjoyment rather than expectation.
“I love swimming Midmar, I look forward to it each year,” she said. “This will be my 10th. I don’t have any expectations. I’m just going to go enjoy the swim… I’m just going to swim my own race and see what happens.”
Carli Antonopoulos also returns to the dam after a dramatic 2025, when she slipped and broke her arm the day before the race, having finished second in 2024. Fully fit again, she adds further depth to an already competitive field while up-and-coming swimmers such as Megan Shepherd, Kirsty Andraos, Kiara Banks and the 14-year-old winner of the Baynesfield seeding swim, Chloe Potgieter, will also be looking to make their mark at this year’s race.
2023 winner and two-time Olympic champion Sharon van Rouwendaal will once again be part of the aQuellé Midmar Mile but will compete in the 31-40 age category.
Online entries for the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile, which takes place from 5-8 February, have now closed. Those swimmers still wishing to enter can do so at the dam on the day but are encouraged to arrive as early as possible. For more information, head to www.midmarmile.com
Photo credits: Action Photos SA