Name-change for next month’s River Mile

SWEEPING changes are planned for the 93rd annual River Mile, which takes place at Sundays River next month.

Michael Zoetmulder, of Z-sports, said that, in consultation with partners, it had been decided to change the name of one of Port Elizabeth’s longest-running sports events to shift the focus on it as a swimming event to it being seen as a family festival.

The event would be renamed the SPAR Summer Festival to cater for a broader audience.

“We want to attract more families so that they can enjoy the surroundings, activities and entertainment,” Zoetmulder said.

“It was felt that by calling it the River Mile we lost the attention of families who aren’t into swimming. There’s so much more to this event than just swimming.”

SPAR Eastern Cape’s Roseann Shadrach said attracting more families would be central to promoting the event.

“We all lead very busy lives but we feel it is important to find a balance, and events like this encourage family-time.”

The event, which is hosted by the resort town of Cannonville, is expected to again attract thousands to participate in a variety of events on February 25 and 26.

The Summer Festival will culminate in the mile feature races for men and women, in which both Bay Eagles’ Daniel Jones and PE Amateur Swimming Club’s Hannah Haswell took their second consecutive victories last year.

A new race, Anything That Floats, has been introduced for those of a leisurely nature.

Zoetmulder said it would add to the fun element they wanted to create. “It is free to enter. Just bring your float and tackle a half-mile trip with the incoming tide on the Sundays River.”

Apart from Anything That Floats, the programme includes the Wimpy 5km family fun run, mountain bike races, and the double-mile, half-mile and the mile for those with a disability.

The half-mile has a discounted entry option for families of four, but Zoetmulder said participants had to register as individuals for the other races.