Hollywood Good

The world renowned aQuelle Midmar Mile is set for a royal occasion to celebrate the 38th annual event that takes place at the popular Midmar Dam resort on the 12th and 13th February next year.

Confirmed today South African Olympic gold medallist Roland Schoeman will be taking part in the 2011 aQuelle Midmar Mile at Midmar Dam in Kwazulu Natal this weekend.

Former Olympian and future Princess of Monaco, Charlene Wittstock, has confirmed she is definitely attending and will finally swim her first Midmar Mile. Wittstock competed at the 2000 Olympics alongside silver medallist Terence Parkin, her long time training partner.

“Over the last few years, Terence has gone on to do some fantastics feats in the Midmar Mile, both from a competitive and charity point of view ,” said Wittstock. “Not only do I intend to swim the mile but I will also be doing so to raise funds for the Special Olympics, which is very close to my heart.”

Wittstock is the patron to the Special Olympics Charity Foundation in Monaco.

"Taking part in the Midmar Mile will allow me to raise funds for the Special Olympics in South Africa and to support those athletes who really need the financial assistance. Being a former South African, taking part in the mile presents me with the opportunity to give back something to the South African charities."

"My background as a swimmer, and current position as a future royal, definitely presents me with a huge platform to give something back. The Special Olympics athletes are really brave and swimmers with disabilities have always been well supported at the Midmar Mile. I simply cannot wait, and this is a huge undertaking for me and its going to be great to eventually give something back by way of swimming the Mile."

Another high profile figure will be joining the future Princess at Midmar Dam to raise charity funds.  , the first person ever to undertake a long distance swim at the North Pole in minus 1,7 degrees celcius, and in a normal Speedo brief, will be taking up the challenge of doing all eight miles.

After launching his book, Achieving the Impossible, in Pietermaritzburg recently, he asked if he could be part of the ‘8 Mile Charity’ drive as his next challenge. Pugh (40) will raise funds in support of Dr Ian Player who is the founder of the Wilderness Leadership School.

Pugh has certainly achieved the impossible and his presence, along with the future Princess of Monaco, adds a touch of class to the Midmar Mile never experienced before.

Race Director, Wayne Riddin, celebrates his 20th year of organizing the Midmar Mile and will once again attempt to set a new world record with the Guinness Book of Records.

"I feel honoured to have Charlene and Lewis attend the Mile next year. This will be a special year for me and I am certain we will break our record of 13 755 finishers as well as top the R1 million among the charity drive with their involvement."

Entries are encouraged online and the organisers have extended the early bird entry deadline to 31 October despite the entries being higher than usual at this stage. It must be noted that entries will close at 10 000 swimmers per day of the two-day festival. Enquiries can be made to 033-341 0790 during office hours