INFO AND RULES

1. Confirmation of Entry:
   You can click here to check if your entry details are correct. This is important, in order to avoid errors during the data capture process and ensure the results on the day are correct. In addition, your allocated batch for the race will be posted on the website. Please check these batches and contact the office if you have queries in this regard. The onus is on the participant to have any changes made.
2. Registration:
   Register at the Cascades Mall:
   The usual registration, at Midmar Dam, will take place on the weekend of the event.
   Please take note of the following:
3. Check in:
   Collect your envelope, containing the necessary information you have sent to us on your entry form, together with your bar-coded tag that will record your results. In order to do this you must bring your race number to registration. Your number will either be (i) Sent by SMS; (ii) Sent by e-mail; or (iii) Obtained by yourself from the website. It is important to hand this information to the officials to speed up the registration process.
   If you do not have this information with you, look for the alphabetical lists near registration to look up your number before getting to the registration table - these will be clearly marked. Please read the instructions carefully around the registration area.
   You will also receive your swim cap corresponding to the colour of your batch, as well as your bar-coded tag (explained below). These batches are available on the website. Please check these to see whether you are in the correct batch or not.
   (b) Your bar-coded tag:
   A bar-coded tag will be issued to everyone at registration. This tag must be handed in at the finish as proof of finishing. Your tag has been coded with your details, as supplied on your entry form. This tag is the only record that you have crossed the finish line, so you must ensure that you hand it in at the end of the finish channel! You will be supplied with a safety pin to attach the tag to your swimsuit - it is suggested that you attach it to the left leg section of your swim suit and tuck it under the swim suit so that it can easily be removed at the finish.
   (c) Batch entrance:
   Proceed to the colour coded entrances to enter your starting area, as these correspond to your batch/seeding.
   (d) Once registration has been completed, proceed to the five starting pens that have marquees up to allow earlier registration and entering of the pens. Each pen is divided according to the batches.
   It is advisable for everyone to get their number written on their arm or chest. Although this is essentially for the photographers, it plays a major part in identifying anyone who has been missed in the results. The marking areas will now be at the entrances to each pen in order to alleviate congestion at a single point.
4. Traffic Flow:
   The two way traffic flow between the start and finish will once again be in operation this year. This will help the Halfway Toyota vehicles used for transporting swimmers to move a little faster between the collection/drop-off points. Please take note of the routes by referring to the main map of the dam (on the next page). Specially marked parking areas will be available, depending on which lane you enter the dam, as well as attendants on duty to help you enter and park with the least inconvenience possible.
   PLEASE PARK WHERE THE OFFICIALS DIRECT YOU.
   These officials (Bhejane Security) will also be acting as security for your vehicles while you enjoy the 39th aQuelle Midmar Mile. However, you do park at your own risk, and attendants will not be responsible for your car.
5. Safety:
   The manpower on the water this year will be approximately one hundred and twenty qualified lifeguards adding to the safety of the swim (which has an excellent record to date). Let’s make sure we all do our part in keeping it that way.
6. The Finish:
   The procedure to gain the most accurate results for the race often depends on the finisher. Please take note of the following requests:
   (i) There are generally eight channels one can finish in.

(ii) Once in the channel, please do not change your order .
(iii) Start getting your bar-coded tag ready to hand in at the top end of the channel. Please do not just drop the safely pin on the ground as this could cause ans injury to someone else. Use the box at the end of the channel to discard the safely pin.
(iv) Hand in your bar-coded tag and IPICO timing chip to the collector at the end of the channel. If you do not have one, you have either lost the tag or you are not supposed to be in the race! If you have lost your tag, you will be issued with a lost tag slip to take to enquiries to ensure that your details are captured for your results. Swimmers unofficially in the race will receive a life ban on the event, if caught.
(v) Once your tag is handed in, you must continue to the aQuelle refreshment area, where you will receive a bottled of flavoured water, collecting your medal on the way.
(vi) FOR THE AGE GROUP EVENTS - events 5 & 6 on Sunday - here are your finish procedures, until officials allow swimmers to use any channels once they are satisfied all categories have been sorted out.
a) 13 years and under will finish in the channels 1-4
(possibly 1 channel)
31-40 years will be channels 5 & 6 (possibly 2 channels)
41-50 years will use channel 7
(possibly channels)
51 years and over use channel 8.
(possibly channels)
Please keep to these lanes as far as possible. If the channels are reduced, there will be one channel per age group.
(b) Generally, if you are completing the race in over 32 minutes, it will not matter which lane you finish in, except for the 51 years and over who are requested to finish in the far right channel only if possible.
(c) The lanes are numbered 1 - 8, from left to right, as you approach the finish. Please check if this has been changed to 4 lanes prior to the race.

1. IPICO CHIP TIMING
   IMPORTANT - NO CHIP - NO RESULT. LOST CHIPS WILL BE CHARGED AT R80.
   The chip must be handed in at the finish, with your bar-coded tag!
   
   PLEASE NOTE:
   Ensure that you have the correct Chip allocated to you.
   Attach your Chip to your ankle ONLY.
   DO NOT attach the Chip to your wrist.

General Information

Caps:
The seeding for the 2012 aQuelle Midmar Mile will be colour coded by caps. The first batch will be ORANGE, the second batch LIGHT BLUE, the third batch YELLOW, the fourth batch LIME GREEN and finally the fifth batch WHITE. The batches will leave at three minute intervals.

Photographs:
The professional sport photographers “Action Photo” from Johannesburg have been appointed as the official photographers for the 2012 aQuelle Midmar Mile. If you want to have your personal photograph taken emerging from the water under the finishing posts, staff with marker pens will be available at the start to write your number onto your upper arm, or your upper chest area.
This will ensure two things:
1. That you are better identified by the photographers.
2. That we are able to track you via the photographs if for some reason your time is incorrectly recorded at the finish.
At the finish there will be a photographer to take group pictures of Schools, Clubs, Company and Office teams in a special banner area. Payment is on receipt of the photographs and all queries must be directed to Action Photo. It is a matter of courtesy to send photographs back in the pre-paid envelope if you do not wish to purchase any photographs. Please do not merely throw away photographs once received, as you will be liable for the cost of these. ACTION PHOTO are the official photographers and you enter the Midmar Mile accepting our rules and procedures!
Veterans:
Swimmers 31 years and over will receive a coloured wristband in their envelope. Please attach this to your right wrist. The colour code will assist you and the officials when it comes to the channel you go up at the finish. Please study the sketches. Ages 31-40 years receive a pink armband, 41-50 years receive a yellow armband and 51 and over receive a white armband.

The Start:
Start times, as in the entry form, will be strictly adhered to. The red caps will come onto the start line first, followed at three minute intervals by, blue, yellow, green and white. Any person swimming in the wrong coloured batch will be disqualified.

Enquiries:
Enquiry counters will be at the start and finish. The start enquiries will deal purely with start matters, and the finish counter will deal only finish matters. Only authorised personnel are allowed in the finish area.

Cut Off:
There is a cut-off time at the halfway mark, of 30 minutes. Anybody still in the water will be removed by the Water Safety Staff and taken by boat to Munro Bay. Please hand in your tags to the Official/Enquiries, so that they can be recorded on the computer system.
INDEMNITY
All swimmers compete at their own risk. By entering the starting pens you acknowledge that you have read and understood the event rules and have completed the event entry form including the release and waiver, in full.
TRAFFIC AND PARKING
Please make yourselves familiar with the traffic flow map for Midmar Dam.
WAIVER
Should it NOT BE POSSIBLE to hold the event, beyond the control of the organising committee, no medals will be issued and no entry fees refunded.
MEDALS
All finishers will receive a medal.
PRIZE GIVING
(EVENTS 1 TO 6 – ONLY 3 IN EACH CATEGORY)
(EVENTS 7 & 8 – ONLY TOP 10 IN EACH CATEGORY)
Sat, 11 Feb at 14:00                                     Prize Giving – Events 1 to 4
Sun, 12 Feb at 14:00                                    Prize Giving – Events 5 to 8
NOTE
Prize money will ONLY BE PAID OVER after prize giving but within 14 days of the event and subject to doping clearance.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
The following will result in a swimmer being disqualified:
1. Swimmers failing to obey the rules or any Official’s instructions.
2. Receiving assistance while swimming, including the wearing of wetsuits or swimming aids.       
3. Substituting one swimmer with another.
4. Finishing the event without having registered will result in NO TIME being recorded  and disqualification.
5. Any action that may bring the event into disrepute may result in disqualification and further disciplinary action
6. Swimmers are expected to wear the swim cap supplied. The wearing of any other cap will result in disqualification.
No Substitutions will be permitted.
MIDMAR DAM/ EZEMVELO KZN WILDLIFE
An admission fee is payable to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife on entry to the Midmar Resort. All Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife indemnity rules will apply. Events will take place irrespective of weather conditions, unless officials from KZN Wildlife deem conditions to be unsafe. Should it NOT BE POSSIBLE to hold the event, beyond the control of the Organising Committee, no medals will be issued and no entry fees refunded.
THE START
Race numbers and caps are required to access start pens. Competitors to enter start pens matching the issued cap colour. The seeded groups will start at 3 minute intervals.
Seeding sequence: ORANGE, LIGHT BLUE, YELLOW, LIME GREEN, WHITE.
CUT-OFF TIMES
The Halfway point cut-off is 32 minutes. The final time limit is 60 minutes for each event.
Any swimmer not reaching the halfway or finish, within the allocated time, will be removed from the water for safety reasons.
RESTRICTED WATER CRAFT
For safety reasons ONLY OFFICIAL BOATS will be allowed to follow the swimmers. Unofficial power boats entering the Yachting area may be impounded by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife officials.
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
For medical emergencies, medical assistance is located at the finish. Medical staff will be on hand at the start, on the water and at Munro Bay. Please notify an official should you require medical attention.
The onus is on the swimmer to supply and make arrangements regarding special medical/health requirements while competing.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER
ACTION PHOTO are the Official Photographers. Please place the numbered sticker, supplied in your entry pack, to your swimming cap. Your race number must be written in bold on our arm for identification purposes ONLY.
All photography enquiries must be direct to ACTION PHOTO on 011 8877660  
ACCOMODATION
Pietermaritzburg Tourism Tel: 033 3451348
Midmar Resort  Tel: 033 3302067
Midlands Reservations Tel: 033 2677370

THE EVENTS OFFICE
Post Entries to:                    PO Box 21936, Mayors Walk, 3208
Physical Address:               18 Pine Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Email:                                    info@midmarmile.co.za
Phone:                                  0861 MIDMAR – 0861 643627

EVENTS
SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2012
08:15            Ironman/Women, Biathlon, Disabled ,Individual
09:45            Company Team
11:00            Non Company Team
12:15            Family Team
SUNDAY  12 FEBRUARY 2012
08:30            Girls 13 years and under, Women 31 years +
09:45            Boys 13 years and under, Men 31 years +
11:00             Women's 14 to 30 years
12:15            Men's 14 to 30 years
ENTRY CRITERIA
Swimmers who cannot swim 1600 metres in a pool in under 50 minutes are advised against entering.
SEEDED EVENTS 5 TO 8
ONLY swimmers seeded in the first batch (ORANGE CAP) will be eligible for prizes. The organisers reserve the right to accept seeding times outside of the seeding events
 The onus is on the entrant to ensure correct seeding.
IRONMAN/BIATHLON EVENTS
POPE-ELLIS IRONMAN/IRONWOMAN
Incorporates the 2011 Comrades, 2012 aQuelle Midmar Mile and 2012 Dusi Canoe marathon
POPE-ELLIS COMRADES BIATHLON
Incorporates the 2011 Comrades Marathon and 2012 aQuelle Midmar Mile.
POPE-ELLIS DUSI BIATHLON
Incorporates the 2012 Dusi Canoe Marathon and the 2012 aQuelle Midmar Mile.
SCORING
Competitors receive a percentage score per event based on the following formula.
"Cut-off Time"- "Participants Time"/"Cut off time" - "Winners Time".
Ironman =Comrades + Dusi + Midmar/300
Biathlon=Comrades+Midmar/200 or Dusi + Midmar/200.
Ironman entrants are automatically entered into the Biathlon sections.
SCHOOL TEAMS - EVENTS 5 TO 8
All swimmers from the same campus of a school will qualify.
Top 5 swimmers with the fastest accumulative time to count.It remains the responsibility of the entrant and school to check their details on the entry list prior to the event.
NO CLUBS.
CLUB TEAMS - EVENTS 7 & 8
All swimmers from the same registered club will qualify.  Top 5 swimmers with the fastest accumulative time to count.  It remains the responsibility of the entrant and club to check their details on the entry list prior to the event.
NOTE
To avoid the situation that arose in 2007 due to extreme weather
conditions, the organisers will officially announce a seeded list of elite swimmers for event 7 & 8.  In the case of conditions becoming too difficult for weaker swimmers, these elite swimmers will have an opportunity to race with extra supervision.
ENTRY FEES
EVENT 1- IRONMAN/IRONWOMAN/BIATHLONS

EVENT 1 - DISABLED

NOTE - ENTRIES RECEIVED AFTER 23 JAN 2012 ARE NOT GUARANTEED T/SHIRTS OR MEDALS OR eligible FOR CATEGORY PRIZES.
EVENT 1 – INDIVIDUAL
As per events 2-8
EVENTS 2 to 8

Entry forms and entry fees are per person per event.  Entry fees will not be refunded under any circumstance.   All entry fees are inclusive of VAT.
Please enclose your entry fee with your completed entry form.  Cheques and postal orders are to made payable to Midmar Mile.
Post dated cheques and entries without fees will not be accepted.

NOTES
The organisers reserve the right to accept or reject entries.
Photocopies of the entry form will be accepted.
Any special consideration must be applied for before 2 December 2011.
A confirmation of entry will be emailed and sms'd to all entrants who enter before the 23 January 2012.
The Organisers reserve the right to limit entries in each event.  The organisers reserve the right to charge
an administration fee for charges to a captured entry.

TEAM EVENTS
Minimum of 3 entrants and maximum of 5 entrants per team.
Top 3 finishers per team to count.  Fastest accumulative time will win.
Male & Female swimmers may be included in a team.
All 5 team members qualify for category prizes.

COMPANY TEAMS
All team members must be permanent employees of the same Company.

NON COMPANY TEAMS
No Swimming club teams will be accepted in this section.
FAMILY TEAMS
All team members must be immediate family.  All team members must have a direct link to at
least one other member of the team.
Examples below.

CORRECT  LINK EXAMPLE
Robert Smith (son) - Mr Bob Smith (Father) - Mrs Mary Smith (Mother
nee Brown)- Mrs Jane Green (Mother's Sister - nee Brown) - Martin
Green (Son of MOther's Sister)
INCORRECT LINK EXAMPLE
Robert Smith (Son) - Mr Bob Smith (Father) - Mrs Mary Smith (Mother
nee Brown).  Martin Green (Son of Mother's Sister) - Margie Green
(Sister to Martin)
No direct link between Mrs Smith and her nephew & Niece.