Midmar Mile women’s race wide open as Catherine van Rensburg sits out title defence

Catherine van Rensburg’s decision not to defend her aQuellé Midmar Mile title this weekend has left the women’s elite race wide open, with last year’s runner-up Callan Lötter hoping to kick on and grab gold on Sunday.

Van Rensburg confirmed her decision to sit out the race as she shifts her focus back to the pool, with the goal of qualifying for the Commonwealth Games.

Lötter returns to the iconic open-water race with growing confidence after another solid year of racing, which included three impressive 16th-place finishes at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

“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,” she said. “Everyone diving off the pontoon on the day will be my main rivals.”

The 2026 race will mark the 19-year-old’s third Midmar Mile. The national open-water champion over 1.5km, 5km and 10km noted that 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.

Meanwhile, another name likely to feature among the frontrunners is Stephanie Houtman, who has a long and successful history at Midmar, including victory in 2022 and a podium finish again last year after a first-ever tie for third place with visiting New Zealand swimmer Ruby Heath.

Houtman isn’t burdened by expectation, focusing instead on enjoying the experience.

“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.

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.

The 2023 winner and two-time Olympic champion Sharon van Rouwendaal will once again be part of the Midmar Mile but will compete in the 31–40 age category.