The Rhino Peak Challenge, a unique trail run, enters its 6th year of successfully raising funds for conservation and presenting participants with a 21km climb of the iconic ‘Rhino Peak’ in the Southern Drakensberg Mountains.
This is not a race for victory nor for glory, but a race against extinction. Over the years, the Challenge has raised over R2.5 million for grassroot conservation organisations, which include Wildlife ACT, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. These funds are spent specifically on projects involving vulture, rhinos and crane conservation across South Africa.
“This unique annual Challenge provides critical funding support to vital ongoing endangered species field work,” says Wildlife ACT Co-Founder Chris Kelly. “Tackling the Rhino Peak summit and fundraising for the cause are not easy tasks, and therefore a huge shout goes out to this year’s participants who have committed to this challenge.”
Our planet’s biodiversity is under threat and a lot of those threats are human-induced, adds Cole du Plessis, Coordinator of The EWT’s Wild Dog Range Expansion Project, who will also be taking part in the Challenge this year. “We need to address these threats, and the Rhino Peak Challenge supports solution driven conservation. The event brings like-minded people together to have fun, raise awareness, enjoy some of nature’s beauty, and while doing so, raise funds for critical conservation work.”
Participants have had to submit an application to become an Ambassador, and have commited to raise a minimum of R20 000 each for species conservation. Then on Saturday, 6 November 2021 they will tackle the 21km Rhino Peak route through spectacular landscapes in the Southern Drakensberg.
You can see who the brave individuals are on the Rhino Peak Challenge website.
“The Rhino Peak Challenge is really all about the Ambassadors who give up their time and energy in the thankless pursuit of raising funds,” says Challenge Organiser, Spurgeon Flemington of Running Man Adventures.
“We cannot thank them enough for their commitment to such a vital cause and we encourage anybody who can to support them with even the smallest contribution. Every penny really does count!”
The Challenge has no time limit and Ambassadors may walk or run it. Over the years a number of South Africa’s finest Trail Runners have taken on the challenge. The real focus however is the fundraising and each Ambassador spends most of their energy on this.
To support the Rhino Peak Challenge, visit the website and choose your conservation fighter. The public can also join the 2021 Ambassadors on 06 November 2021 by participating in the virtual 2021 Global RPC from anywhere in the world.
To enter, participants will need to donate an amount of R100 or more as an entry fee and select a preferred challenge. All entrants into the RPC Global Run will go into the draw for a wide range of stunning lucky draw prizes and the more you donate the greater your chances of winning a prize. To sign up, visit https://rhinopeakchallenge.co.za/global-rpc.aspx.
Pictures: Love Africa Marketing
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