Swimmers from around South Africa are heading for the Sundays River this weekend to take part in the historic Spar Redhouse River Mile, taking place at Cannonville.

Thousands of families will be expected to converge on the quaint village of Cannonville from the early hours of Sunday morning to be part of Africa’s oldest open water swimming event. Started in 1924 the event celebrates its 88th anniversary this year and organisers, Zports, expect a bumper event supported by Spar Eastern Cape and the seven associate sponsors, which have ensured that the 2012 event carries a cash prize pool R28 000.

The River Mile festival program of events kicks off on Sunday at 08:00 with the Discovery Off Road Trail Run and, an hour later, the Triathlon. The Stormforce kids preliminary races for novice swimmers 12 years and under sets off from 11:30. The wetsuit and disabled mile swims start at 12:30 and then the premier Ladies mile follows at 13:30 with the Men’s race starting 45-minutes later.

Entry into the grounds is free.

Late entries will still be available online till Friday morning, thereafter only at the event on Sunday morning. Check out www.rivermile.co.za.