Press Release

The 13th Pretora News McCarthy VW and McCarthy Audi Roode 1000 Swim which will take place at Bronkhorstspruit Dam on 30 January 2011 will take to the waters with a brand new name sponsor. The Roode swim has through the years grown in stature and has become not only one of the major open water swimming events in the northern provinces but is also a Swimming SA sanctioned event and one of the top open water swimming events on the SSA calendar. With the swim just two weeks before the Midmar Mile, it is also an ideal preparation opportunity for swimmers who intend travelling down to Kwazulu-Natal.

The organisers of the Roode expect to have a very strong field of open water stars at the event which will again be held at the popular Baja Dam Resort at Bronkhorstspruit Dam. With Olimpic open water star and four times winner of the Roode, Chad Ho of Kwazulu-Natal, absent this year due to national training camp commitments in Cape Town, the field in the men’s division will be wide open. Tyron Venter, last year’s winner, will unfortunately not defend his title due to injury whilst last year’s ladies winner, Karlien van Heerden as well as runner up, Megan Gomes, will battle it out with a young star like Michelle Pistorius also in contention.

The Roode, swum over a triangular measured 1000m course has acquired a reputation for not only being well organised, but also for being a fun event for the whole family. The Roode was held at Bronkhorstspruit for the past five years after the poor water quality of the Roodeplaat Dam forced a move. With poor water quality being a big talking point in SA open water swimming and triathlon circles the organisers are very happy to have access to one of the cleanest dams in the country, especially after good rainfalls during the past month. Indications are that the dam will be full on race day. To make sure that swimmers enjoy a safe swim, water tests will again be conducted during the coming week and results will be available before swimmers take to the waters next Sunday.

In the past the Roode has also lived up to its reputation as a family event and there will be a fun swim to complete the day’s competition. The big highlight this year will come in the trim form of Ted Beukes, who has won the prize for the oldest entrant for many a year. Ted turned 80 last year and this year’s swim will be dedicated to this great Roode stalward. In the ladies 31 and over event, both last year’s winner, Karen Kennedy as well as previous winner, Marieke Bouwer, have entered whilst in the men’s section, multiple winner, Phillip Chappell will be looking at another winner’s medal. Special arrangements are also made on the day for handicapped swimmers by way of extra lifesavers allocated to them.

Entries for the Roode closes on 28 January 2011 and although late entries will be accepted on the day of the swim, swimmers are encouraged to enter early to avoid bottle necks and data problems on the day of the swim. For online entry forms or more information and photos of previous events the official website can be visited at www.roode1000swim.com

Entry forms can also be obtained at the Swim Shop at Hillcrest Swimming Pool, Run-a-Way Sport at the Glenfair Shopping Centre or by sending an E-mail to ds.dupreez@netgroup.co.za or blouwil@mweb.co.za .

Entries can also be done through www.sa-active.com (any other enquiries: Willem Theron: 0823764216 or Daniela du Preez : 0832608542.

Written by Willem Theron

More on our event on the back page of today's Tshwane Beeld!