The Midmar Mile received a boost on Thursday with the confirmation that three Olympic Marathon Swimming medalists will compete at this year’s epic.

The 2009 female World Open Water Swimmer of the Year, current 10km world champion and defending champion Keri- Anne Payne from Great Britain will be joined by fellow compatriots and Olympic bronze medalists David Davies and Cassie Patton, in what is certainly shaping up to be one of the fastest races in the event’s history.

The powerful British contingent also includes Katy Whitfield and experienced Charlotte Wooliscroft, both of whom competed in the 2009 Midmar Mile while Daniel Fogg and David Carey along with Tom Allen complete their line up.

This, coupled with the experienced German contingent of Nadine Pastor Reichert, Christian Reichert and Alexander Studzinski, lays down the challenge to the local contenders who will have their hands full in what promises to be a fast race.

The local challenge is sure to be headed by defending champion Riaan Schoeman and 2009 world championship 5km bronze medalist Chad Ho, while Jay-Cee Thompson, Jasper Venter, the Henri Schoeman along with Danie Marias, Frank Greef, Chris van der Sande and Tyron Venter.

Kathryn Meaklim will spearhead the local challenge for the ladies with one of the most promising open water swimming athletes to emerge on the local scene for a long time, Nicol Brits.

With entries fast approaching the 16000 cut-off mark, there has been a surge of online entries while the final seeding events for the 2010 Midmar Mile take place over the next fortnight throughout the country.

The Mhlatuze Water Mile Swim in Richards Bay takes place on Sunday. Entries will be taken at the start while the Blue Fins 1000 in Bloemfontein and Ingram’s Ekurhuleni 1200 in Germiston take place next weekend.

The final seeding event takes place at the picturesque Heia Safari Ranch on January 23 and 24 in what has been billed “Gauteng’s cleanest dam”, at the Heritage Water Festival.

Sapa