TRAIL runners, adventure enthusiasts, keen conservationists and celebrities will join forces on World Rhino Day for the third edition of the Rhino Peak Challenge on Friday, 22 September.
The 2017 Rhino Peak Challenge sees 11 of South Africa’s top trail runners and some of the country’s leading conservationists and adventure enthusiasts rallying together to summit the iconic Rhino Peak in the Southern Region of the Maloti Drakensberg World Heritage Site.
This year will see former Springbok captain and rhino activist John Smit taking on the challenge as one of the influential people.
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Joining Smit as part of the influential people will be Hank McGregor and wife Pippa. McGregor is an eight-time canoe marathon World Champion and arguably one of South Africa’s most successful athletes.
This year’s event will also incorporate some of the South African conservation’s elites.
The likes of Jacques Flamand, Section Ranger in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Dennis Kelly, experienced rhino tracker and Community Conservation Manager Zama Ncube as well as, Ezemvelo Ecologist in charge of the Maloti Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, where she has been monitoring the endangered Bearded Vulture, Dr Sonja Krüger.
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The small group will look to raise awareness of the plight of rhinos globally as well as local Rhino Peak inhabitant and fellow endangered species, the Bearded Vulture.
Corporates and the general public alike can get involved in the event by pledging an amount towards an individual competitor’s efforts.
Last year’s event raised R290 000 for various projects which include the Rhino Conservation Project and the Maloti Drakensberg Vulture Project.
Contact Spurgeon Flemington and Matt Goode at info@rhinopeakchallenge.co.za.
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